William Alexander Heskett: Civil War, Baylor Light Horse, Company B, 12th Virginia Calvary, C.S.A.

He was born on June 10, 1845, to parents James and Sarah Heskett. William Alexander Heskett had a fair complexion, gray eyes, and light hair, according to the Civil War surname roster for the 12th Virginia Calvary.  He resided in Clarke County, Virginia, until he enlisted on July 1, 1863, at Charles Town, West Virginia, in Company B as a Private.  Men often enlisted in a company recruited in the counties where they lived, though not always.  Following many battles, companies frequently combined because so many men were killed or wounded. My 2nd Great Grandfather joined Company B (Robert W. Baylor Company, aka Baylor Light Horse), comprised of many men from Charles Town in Jefferson County. 

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Before the war, fifteen-year-old William lived on the estate of George and Sarah Ridgeway.  He worked as a Miller’s Apprentice for George Ridgeway Flouring Mill in Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia).  The mill yielded 1,500 bushels of wheat and processed corn.

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He had just turned 18, less than a month before he enlisted in the 12th Virginia Calvary, Company B, the minimum enlisting age.  The 12th Virginia Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.  It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia. Virginia’s 12th Cavalry Regiment (originally called the 10th Regiment) was organized at Conrad’s Store, Virginia, in June 1862, with ten companies from the 7th Virginia Cavalry Regiment, which consisted of twenty-nine companies at the time.

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On May 30, 1863, General Jones entrusted the brave men of Company B with a crucial task post in Jefferson and monitored any movement from Harpers Ferry, then occupied by the enemy.  In a daring move, they invaded and attacked the enemy’s picket in Bolivar Heights and pressed on into Harpers Ferry, capturing an officer, 19 men, 21 horses, and equipment.  On July 1, as the enemy withdrew forces, Company B took possession of Harpers Ferry.  They then took up a position near Culpeper Courthouse, participating in skirmishes around Brandy Station.  Despite the hardships of war, they found solace in the company of each other and the fair ladies, enjoying a few quiet weeks when stationed at a camp near Rapidan. 

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The unit, a part of W.E. Jones’, Rosser’s, and J. Dearing’s Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, played a significant role in shaping the war’s course.  It fought in Northern Virginia, in the Maryland Campaign, at Brandy Station, and then was involved in various conflicts in western Virginia.  The Regiment continued the fight at Bristoe and Mine Run, in the battles around The Wilderness and Cold Harbor, and in Jubal Early’s operations in the Shenandoah Valley, each engagement leaving its mark on the history of the American Civil War.

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The army moved forward on October 9, 1863, and the Bristow campaign began. General Stuart gave the orders.  The troops moved close to Culpeper Courthouse, overtook a brigade, and took the advance to act as bodyguards for General Stuart.  

During the siege of Petersburg, information was received that a supply train would move from New Creek to Petersburg on a particular day, making it necessary to hold Petersburg to search for cattle.  Heavy battles ensued, and the enemy train was captured.  General Rosser, in general order, baptized the brigade “The Laurel Brigade,” directing each command member to wear a laurel leaf on his hat, signifying valor. Read the book Bull Run to Bull Run by George Baylor for a detailed Civil War account.  

During mid-April 1865, the unit disbanded.  The field officers were Colonel Asher W. Harman, Lieutenant Colonels Richard H. Burks, Thomas B. Massie, and Major John L. Knott.

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William Heskett was later listed as married to Sarah Cole Heskett.  He lived and worked as a farmer in Jefferson Township, Loudoun County, Virginia. They had two sons, George and James Ervin, the latter of whom is my great-grandfather. 

 

William Alexander Heskett died on March 28, 1925, in Loudoun, Virginia, at the age of 81.

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Assignments:

• June-July 1862: Cavalry Brigade, Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia

• August 1862: Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Corps, Department of Northern Virginia

• August-November 1862: Robertson's-Jones' Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia

• December 1862-May 1863: Jones' Cavalry Brigade, Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia

• May-September 1863: Jones' Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia

• September 1863-September 1864: Jones'-Rosser's Brigade, Hampton's-Butler's Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

• September 1864-March 1865: Rosser's Brigade, Fitz. Lee's Cavalry Division, Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia

• March-April 1865: Dearing's Brigade, Rosser's (new) Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

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Battles, Skirmishes and Engagements:

• 2nd Bull Run (August 28-30, 1862)

• Lewis' Ford (August 30, 1862)

• Poolesville, Maryland (September 8, 1862)

• South Mountain (September 14, 1862)

• Antietam (September 17, 1862)

• Charlestown, West Virginia (October 16, 1862)

• Berryville (November 29, 1862)

• Expedition to Moorefield and Petersburg, West Virginia (January 2-5, 1863)

• Jones' and Imboden's West Virginia Raid (April 20-May 21, 1863)

• Greenland Gap, West Virginia (April 25, 1863)

• Fairmont, West Virginia (April 29, 1863)

• Brandy Station (June 9, 1863)

• Upperville (June 21, 1863)

• Falling Waters [detachment] (July 4, 1863)

• Bristoe Campaign (October 1863)

• Mine Run Campaign (November-December 1863)

• The Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864)

• Spotsylvania Court House (May 8-21, 1864)

• North Anna (May 23-26, 1864)

• Haw's Shop (May 28, 1864)

• Cold Harbor (June 1-3, 1864)

• Petersburg Siege (June 1864-April 1865)

• Hampton-Rosser Cattle Raid (September 16, 1864)

• 3rd Winchester (September 19, 1864)

• Tom's Brook (October 9, 1864)

• Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864)

• New Creek (October 28, 1864)

• Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)