The Comanches: A History of White's Battalion, Virginia Cavalry

This volume offers a firsthand portrait of a Virginia cavalry unit that fought under the banner of the Confederacy. Compiled by a former officer who relied on his own memory and the notes of surviving comrades, the narrative stitches together recollections of early raids in Fairfax and Loudoun, the fierce clash at Brandy Station, and the bitter winter campaigns of 1862‑63. The author’s candid preface explains the scarcity of official records and the effort to preserve the battalion’s deeds despite the loss of many papers at surrender.

Listeners will hear vivid descriptions of daily life on the march, the camaraderie among the men, and the grim toll of combat, complete with casualty lists for several companies. The account balances pride in the soldiers’ bravery with a sober acknowledgement of the war’s ultimate outcome, providing a personal window into the experiences of the “Comanches” without straying into later political commentary.