On May 23, 1863, it was converted to a mounted infantry by Brigadier General William W. Averell.

The regiment was immediately sent to a camp for instruction and supplied.

On January 26, 1864, it was reorganized as the 6th West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment.

The 3rd West Virginia Infantry Regiment fought at the Battle of McDowell in May 1862 and the Battle of Cross Keys, June 8, 1862, under LTC Francis W. Thompson, part of BG Robert Milroy's Brigade made up of 5 Virginia regiments loyal to the Union (units which later were designated West Virginian) and 1 Ohio regiment and 3 Ohio artillery batteries.

This article about a specific military unit of the American Civil War is a stub.