| 1st Special Cavalry Battalion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | April, 1864–1865 |
| Country |  Confederate States of America |
| Allegiance |  Florida |
| Branch |  Confederate States Army |
| Type | Battalion |
| Role | Cavalry |
| Nickname(s) | Cow Cavalry |
| Engagements | American Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | C. J. Munnerlyn |
The 1st Florida Battalion Special Cavalry , nicknamed the "Cow Cavalry", was a Confederate States Army cavalry unit from Florida during the American Civil War. Commanded by Charles James Munnerlyn; it was organized to protect herds of cattle from Union raiders.[1][2] The hides and meat from Florida cattle were a critical supply item for the Confederacy.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis, selected Munnerlyn who was commissioned as a Major to lead the Special Cavalry.[1]
Eventually a total of nine companies, largely made up of Florida crackers, was organized. They would drive cattle to Baldwin, Florida a railhead near Jacksonville, Florida.[3] Some of the companies were based out of Brooksville, Tampa,[4] Plant City[5][6], and Fort Meade [7]
Captains William B. Hooker, Leroy G. Lesley, John T. Lesley, Francis A. Hendry, and W. B. Henderson were leaders of the Cow Cavalry. Capt. McKay's son, James McKay Jr., was appointed as Captain of one of the companies and eventually rose to the rank of Major in the unit.[8]
Captain W. B. Watson enlisted ninety-eight soldiers in a company at Mellonville (present-day Sanford) on the St. Johns River. Central Florida also provided a second company for the battalion, commanded by Captain Samuel Agnew. Agnew made his base at Hodge Ferry on the Withlacoochee River from where he could protect the herds from Union raids operating out of Cedar Key. Agnew often led his men on regular scouting patrols in the Gulf Hammock area while driving beef.[1]
Captain James Faulkner raised a company of Florida men for service in Taylor and Lafayette counties. Madison County provided the seventh Cow Cavalry company. Commanded by Captain J. C. Wilcox, it guarded vital rail terminals in that county, and provided protection for Georgia bound beef. Wilcox and his officers also had the added responsibility of scouting the Gulf coast west of the Suwannee River.This mission was often shared with Faulkner’s company, along with herding, under the direction of the district commander, Major White.[1]
Another north Florida unit was raised in Jefferson and Leon counties by William J. Bailey. Bailey was soon replaced by Captain E. A. Fernandez. The company had the same general duties as Wilcox’s and Faulkner’s, and they often worked together in the field. These north Florida Cow Cavalrymen cooperated with the regular Confederate forces commanded by General James Patton Anderson.[1]
In December of 1864 saw the formation of the ninth and final company of the Cow Cavalry, to defend the rail line that ran from Gainesville to Cedar Key. Captain E. J. Lutterloh was made company commander and he convinced twenty men to join his force. Taking the field, they swung into action by driving the enemy back in a series of short skirmishes.[1]
The rest of the battalion remained active until the 1864 - 1865 cattle driving season ended in January 1865, until they could resume cattle collecting in April as the ranges in the upper districts could not sustain beef before then.[1]
Cow Cavalry units manuvered to meet Union probes and deserter bands in February 1865. Capt. Lutterloh and his men found themselves under fire on February 8, as a force of almost 400 Union cavalry and infantry left Cedar Key on a raid northward into Levy County. The rest of Lutterloh’s company rushed to join a force commanded by J. J. Dickison that was moving to intercept the raiders. The two bodies of troops clashed at the Battle of Levyville on February 13th.[1]
Also, in February 1865, Major William Footman led the companies of Francis A. Hendry, John T. Lesley, and Leroy G. Lesley in the Battle of Fort Myers.
