The 42nd Virginia Cavalry Battalion was a cavalry battalion raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

The unit contained eight companies and served in the Department of Richmond.

During May, 1864, it contained 216 effectives and in June merged into the 24th Virginia Cavalry Regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel William T. Robins and Major John R. Robertson were in command.

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