Originally organized in Charleston, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1861 as Captain John P. Hales Kanawha Artillery, this company saw action in 1861 at the Battle of Scary Creek under the command of George S. Patton, Sr and the Battle of Carnifex Ferry under the command of John B. Floyd.
Then known as Jackson's Virginia Horse Artillery, it was attached to Albert G. Jenkins Cavalry Brigade during the Gettysburg Campaign.
In July and August 1863, the battery was assigned to the Horse Artillery Battalion, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
From the fall of 1863 to the spring of 1864, it was assigned as an unattached company to the Department of Western Virginia with Ransom's Cavalry Division and participated in the Battle of Droop Mountain.
After the spring of 1864, the Kanawha Artillery was attached to Lomax's Cavalry Division, Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia under the overall command of Gen. Jubal Early.