In 1865, the 1st West Virginia Cavalry was in the Third Brigade of the Third Division of General Philip Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah. This army eliminated General Jubal Early's Army of the Valley at the Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia when the Third Brigade charged and cut off over half of Early's force—which forced that portion of the rebels to surrender. The regiment also prepared for battle but did not fight in the Battle of Appomattox Court House, as General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia surrendered.