The 1st Virginia completed its organization at Richmond, Virginia, in May, 1861. At the outbreak of the war it had ten companies, but in April three were detached. Thus the unit contained seven companies from Richmond and in mid-July a company from Washington, D.C. was added. It fought at the Battle of First Manassas in a brigade under James Longstreet and in August totaled 570 men. During April, 1862, when the regiment was reorganized, it contained only six companies. The 1st Virginia Infantry was assigned to A. P. Hill's, Kemper's, and W. R. Terry's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active from the Battle of Williamsburg to the Battle of Gettysburg except when it was with Longstreet at the Siege of Suffolk, Virginia. Later the unit was involved in the capture of Plymouth, the conflicts at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg south and north of the James River, and the Appomattox Campaign. This regiment lost twenty-two percent of the 140 engaged at the Battle of Second Bull Run (Second Manassas), had 9 wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and had more than half of the 209 at Gettysburg disabled. Its casualties were 12 killed and 25 wounded at Drewry's Bluff, 1 killed and 77 wounded at the Battle of Five Forks, and 40 captured at the Battle of Sayler's Creek. Only 17 surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. Co. A (Richmond Grays): Capt. W.M. Elliott - Detached to Norfolk, Virginia, during April, 1861 and assigned to the 12th Virginia Infantry as Co. G, August 31, 1861. Co. B (Richmond City Guard): Capt. R. Harrison - Captain J.K. Lee was killed at Blackburn's Ford on July 18, 1861. Co. C (Montgomery Guard): Capt. J. Dooley Co. D (Old Dominion Guard): Capt. J. Griswold Co. E (1st) (Richmond Light Infantry Blues): Capt. O.J. Wise - Sent to Fredericksburg, Virginia and later assigned to the 46th Virginia Infantry, prior to the Battle of First Manassas. Co. E (2nd) (Washington Volunteers): Capt. C.K. Sherman - Temporarily attached to the regiment during the middle of July and transferred to the 7th Virginia Infantry as Company F in April 1862. Co. F (1st) (Cary's Company): Capt. R.M. Cary - Sent to Fredericksburg and assigned to the 21st Virginia Infantry, under the command of Capt. R.H. Cunningham, Jr., prior to First Manassas. Co. F (2nd) (Beauregard Rifles): Capt. F.B. Schaeffer - Served in a provisional battalion (Schaeffer's Battalion) during First Bull Run and was subsequently assigned to the regiment on July 23, 1861. The company was relieved from duty on September 7 and redesignated as Company C, 1st Regiment Virginia Artillery. On November 13, 1861, the company was mustered out of service. Co. G (Gordan's Company): Capt. W.H. Gordan Co. H (1st) (Howitzer Battery): Capt G.W. Randolph - In early May, the company left the regiment and was expanded into a battalion of three companies under then-Maj. G. W. Randolph. Co. H (2nd) (Richmond Greys, Company B): Capt. F.J. Boggs Co. I (Taylor's' Company): Capt. W.O. Taylor Co. K (Virginia Rifles, at one time German Rifles): Capt. F. Miller - Disbanded when the regiment was reorganised in April 1862. Fayette Artillery: Capt. H.C. Cabell - Detached and assigned to John Magruder's command on the Virginia Peninsula. Floyd Guard: Capt. G.W. Chambers - Assigned as Co. K, 2nd Virginia Infantry, prior to June 30, 1861. Band: Capt. J.B. Smith - Mustered in as Co. I and detached to form a 13 piece regimental band. Drum Corps: Drum Major C.R.M. Pohle - 14 drummers including the drummer on duty with the Richmond Greys in Norfolk. The Drum Corps was mustered in as a body.
About the Author: John Rigdon has authored a number of books on the Civil War and is the manager of the web site, Research OnLine, (www.researchonline.net) the premier site for researching Civil War ancestors in the Civil War. His titles include the Historical Sketch and Roster Volumes (1100 plus titles) and a dozen volumes in the "We Fought" series focusing on particular battles and commanders. Additionally John works in translation focusing on languages with minority representation and maintains the site, www.wordsrus.info. John resides in the foothills of the Appalachians outside Cartersville, GA. where he enjoys gardening and aquaponics. You may reach him at jrigdon@researchonline.net.