The Confederate cavalry didn't issue horses. Every trooper rode his own mount, and the 1st Virginia Cavalry — organized at Harpers Ferry in July 1861 by Colonel J.E.B. Stuart with twelve companies instead of the usual ten — drew heavily from Tidewater and Piedmont planter families who had grown up in the saddle. That gave them an early advantage over Federal recruits still learning to ride from scratch. The downside cut just as deep: when a trooper's horse was killed or broke down, he went home on a "horse detail" to find a replacement, leaving the regiment chronically understrength through the campaigns of 1862 and 1863.

The trooper stands at his mount's head with the reins gathered in his off hand, gray cavalry frock coat faced with black down the front, dark slouch hat, tall riding boots, gauntleted gloves. The bay horse is rigged for the field — McClellan saddle, rolled blanket and greatcoat, saddlebags, carbine boot, and the small leather pouches that held everything from currycomb to corn ration. Stage him as the regimental escort beside the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia Flag at Rest in a halted-column diorama, or set him at picket duty in front of an infantry line led by the Confederate Infantry Officer Marching.

W. Britain 31386 Dismounted Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalryman with Mount. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal, two-piece set (trooper plus mount) on sculpted groundwork bases. Boxed.