1st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Williams Rifles)


HISTORICAL NOTES:

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. Its first colonel, Patrick T. Moore, was severely wounded on July 18, 1861 in the skirmish at Blackburn's Ford, and Lt. Col. W.H. Fry commanded at First Manassas.

FIELD OFFICERS:

Colonels Patrick T. Moore, F.G. Skinner, and Lewis B. Williams; Lieutenant Colonels W.H. Fry and Frank H. Langley; and Majors John Dooley, William P. Mumford, George F. Norton, and William H. Palmer.

ASSIGNMENTS:



BATTLES:

First Battle of Manassas
Battle of Williamsburg
Seven Days' Battles
Second Battle of Manassas
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Cold Harbor
Siege of Petersburg
Battle of Five Forks
Battle of Sayler's Creek


ROSTERS:

The rosters of this unit contains the names of 2155 men.



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 the 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.


BIBLIOGRAPHY:


REFERENCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Virginia_Infantry





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