In 1998 a group of individuals decided to split off from a Union Cavalry group, the 3^rd Pennsylvania (3^rd Penn) and form up a Confederate Cavalry unit.  Among this group was Dan Rike and his brother's, not sure if one or two of his brothers were involved.  There were about 5 or 6 members who originally formed the 14^th.  The 14^th unit was picked because the 3^rd Penn’s alternate ego was the 7^th Virginia Cavalry and when the 14^th was organized by the Confederate Congress in April of 1862 some of the 7^th went to the 14^th.

  The organizers created our By-Laws that outlined our unit structure, it called for a Board of Directors – Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.  It spelled out our Officer Core as Commanding Officer (CO), Executive Officer (XO), 1^st Sgt, and Corporal(s).  The CO and XO were positions independent of Rank.  When we started we had enough members for a 2^nd Lt as the highest rank!  So our 2^nd LT was the CO, and we only had a Sergeant not a 1^st Sgt but he also acted as XO.  As we grew we were able to promote to a Captain, 1^st LT, and 1^st Sgt.

  There was some startup pains and when I joined in December of 1999, 5 of us met at a the Blue Grouse in Ellensburg, Dan, Alan, Slim & Billie Rankin, and myself, my family thought I was crazy and let me go on my own!  After my reporting how much fun I was having and the great group of people we had my family soon joined!  Yes they still think I am a  little crazy!

  In 2002 or 2003 the 3^rd Pen dissolved as a unit, thus we no longer have a Federal Cavalry in the WCWA.

  In 2004 we were incorporated as a Non-Profit Organization under the name 14^th Virginia Cavalry, due to the great work of our Chairman, Barb!

  Over the years we grew, and lost a few members, but we did grow!  We have always been a unit that the WCWA respected and looked up too.  We seemed to galvanize a lot at events, so for the 2005 season we decided to camp Blue under our alter ego the 1^st US Cavalry.  We did this to show support to the Federal side and hopefully recruit enough people so that we could field both a Blue and Gray units. 

  In 2006 we reorganized the corporate name as Washington Cavalry Association.

  Now at the end of the 2006 season it was decided to allow the 14^th Virginia to be re-activated and allow the 1^st US Cavalry to be a separate unit.  The current members of the 14^th Virginia want to be autonomous and decided to separate from the Washington Cavalry Association. 

  2007 season will be a great year with both the1st US Cavalry and the 14^th Virginia Cavalry on the field, it has been a long time since we have had both sides equally represented on the field of honor!

  Past Membership of the 14^th Virginia Cavalry: