1st Florida Special Cavalry Battalion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 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 Battle of Fort Myers
Commanders
Notable commanders	C. J. Munnerlyn

The 1st Florida Special Cavalry Battalion, nicknamed 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. The hides and meat from Florida cattle was a critical supply item for the Confederacy.

James McKay wrote to the state of the need to protect Florida cattle after the Battle of Olustee, and a group of Florida crackers was organized near Plant City, and were based out of Fort Myers, taking part in the Battle of Fort Myers. They would drive cattle to Baldwin. John T. Lesley, Francis A. Hendry, and W. B. Henderson were all in the Cow Cavalry.