Two Company E, Third West Virginia Cavalry?

[Stryker65]

In Volume 27 Part 3 of the Official Records, there appears to be two Company E of the Third West Virginia Cavalry. The distribution of the regiment itself is a bit spotty as well, and the regimental records were transferred into databases in a very haphazard way. Companies D and E were assigned to Milroy's Division at Winchester, under Captains James R. Utt and Charles W. White, respectively. White commanded Company E.

However, Company E is also listed as serving in the West Virginia mountains, in General William W. Averell's command, under Captain Lott Bowen. On NPS, both officers are listed to be captains of Company E, but they couldn't have been at the same time. The most likely suspect, Company F, is also already accounted for.

Am I missing something here? I'm guessing one of the letters is wrong?

 

[lupaglupa]

Fold3 has a regimental return card for May 1864 which includes this note: "Designation of C. W. White's Co.E changed to Co. B May 1864."

 

[RedRover]

Lot Bowen was the captain of Company E, 3rd West Virginia Cavalry from September, 1862. He was promoted to major of the regiment July 18, 1863. Thereafter Company E's captain was Timothy F. Roane.

Here's some references from muster rolls of Bowen's Company:

Captain White's Company E, as previously noted, was subsequently officially redesignated Company B in mid-1864.

From the State of West Virginia Adjutant General's report, 1866. Captain White was the captain of Company B (formerly called E).

 

[Stryker65]

Fold3 has a regimental return card for May 1864 which includes this note: "Designation of C. W. White's Co.E changed to Co. B May 1864."

Gosh! So there were two Company E's??

 

[lupaglupa]

Gosh! So there were two Company E's??

Not at one time, I'm thinking. Something happened to Company B (which I could find out I suppose) and they redesignated E as B, then created a new Company E.

 

[Stryker65]

Not at one time, I'm thinking. Something happened to Company B (which I could find out I suppose) and they redesignated E as B, then created a new Company E.

Official Records must have made a transcription error then (not being sarcastic)...