J.L. O'Neal 2nd [West] Virginia Cavalry sutler's 5 cents token. Schenkman VA-2a-5C (VA-C5C), Whitman-VA-140-005a. 16mm. 

Obverse reads: "J. L. O'NEAL / 2'D VA. / CAVALRY / 5 / CENTS". Reverse with beaded border reads: "JOHN STANTON / STAMP / & BRAND CUTTER. / CINCINNATI." 

Organized in Parksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) under the designation 2nd Regiment of Loyal Virginia Volunteer Cavalry. Under the command of Colonel James A. Garfield, later the 20th President of the United States, they fought primarily in the heavily forested Appalachian mountains, especially the Kanawha River Valley in what would become West Virginia. In 1864, after many of its members completed their 3-year enlistments and mustered out, they were reassigned to General George Armstrong Custer's 3rd Division in the Cavalry Corps under the command of General Sheridan. They fought primarily in the Shenandoah Valley and were responsible for eliminating the Confederate Army of the Valley. They were also part of the pivotal cavalry charge that secured victory at the Battle of Sailor's Creek and were present at Lee's Surrender at Appomattox. 

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