16th Cavalry Regiment, about 1,000 strong, was organized during the spring of 1862 with men from Gainesville, Brenham, Farmersville, and McKinney. It was later dismounted and assigned to Flournoy's, Waterhouse's, and Scurry's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and was active in Louisiana and Arkansas. In the attack at Milliken’s Bend in June, 1863, the unit lost 19 killed, 47 wounded, and 1 missing but casualties at Jenkins’ Ferry were not reported. In March, 1865, it was sent to Hempstead, Texas, and here disbanded in May. The field officers were Colonels William Fitzhugh and Edward P. Gregg, and Lieutenant Colonel William W. Diamond.
