On Friday, July 19, 1861, a seven-man patrol from Captain Henry W. Burdsall's Independent Company of Ohio Cavalry was ambushed along the West Fork of the Greenbrier River, near present-day Durbin, West Virginia, in Pocahontas County. Confederate reports claimed that all but one of the men were killed, but the reality was different. One man…
Tag: units
What Units Fought at the Battle of Scary Creek?
Uncover the full story of the Battle of Scary Creek as we piece together the most accurate records of involved units and casualty figures available. The Battle of Scary Creek holds significance as one of the earliest substantial engagements prior to the First Battle of Bull Run. Although involving only about 2,100 men, it included…
Continue reading ➞ What Units Fought at the Battle of Scary Creek?
Big Bethel by the Numbers – Union
Based on a careful analysis, it’s reasonable to conclude that the Union force had approximately 4,518 men on the field that day. The Battle of Big Bethel, June 10, 1861, on the Virginia Peninsula was unequivocally the first pitched battle of any magnitude in the American Civil War. Approximately 6,000 Union and Confederate soldiers participated,…
Big Bethel by the Numbers – Confederate
Based on a careful analysis, it’s reasonable to conclude that the Confederates had approximately 1,670 men on the field that day. Though some minor skirmishes occurred in Virginia prior to June 10, 1861, the Battle of Big Bethel on the Virginia Peninsula was unequivocally the first pitched battle of any magnitude. Approximately 6,000 Union and…
What Confederate Unit was Involved in the Independence Day Skirmish at Harper’s Ferry?
As July 1861 dawned, lead elements of Col. Charles Pomeroy Stone's expedition along the Potomac River's Maryland shore reached Sandy Hook and Maryland Heights opposite of Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Confederate Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had evacuated his troops from Harper's Ferry in mid-June, destroying the bridges across the Potomac in the process. The town…
Jewish Virginians in the Richmond Light Infantry Blues
The Richmond Light Infantry Blues was Virginia's oldest and most prestigious military company. At the outbreak of the Civil War, it elected Obadiah Jennings Wise (1831-1862), eldest son of former Virginia governor Henry A. Wise, as its captain. Among its other captains during that war was Ezekiel "Zeke" J. Levy, who enlisted as a fourth…
Continue reading ➞ Jewish Virginians in the Richmond Light Infantry Blues
Ancestors Among the Alleghenies
The Doyle brothers see the elephant in 1861 Guest Post by Steve Litteral, featured in Issue 2 of the Brass Bugle. If you have traveled through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, then you know it is one of the most beautiful places in the country. The surrounding ancient rolling hills have seen men fighting men…
Who was James Humbles?
James Humbles, a freeman of mixed ancestry, served with distinction in the 1st Virginia Cavalry in 1861. Spared & Shared has an extensive collection of transcribed Civil War Era letters across multiple websites. While searching for letters from 1861, I came across this one from Philip Henry Powers, 1st Virginia Cavalry, to his wife shortly…
Virginia Artillery Units Enrolled in April 1861
Continuing our exploration of Virginia militia raised in the early months of the American Civil War, today we're examining Artillery companies (batteries) enrolled in April 1861. According to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Paymaster General’s Office tally of all Virginia volunteer companies prior to July 1, 1861, fifteen artillery companies were enrolled in April. Precisely determining which…
Continue reading ➞ Virginia Artillery Units Enrolled in April 1861
Virginia Cavalry Units Enrolled in April 1861
Recently, we posted Statement Showing the Number, by Companies, of the Virginia Volunteers who Entered Service Prior to July 1, 1861, highlighting the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Paymaster General’s Office tally of all Virginia volunteer companies prior to July 1, 1861. It contains valuable information that, when compared to other sources, can help piece together the…
Continue reading ➞ Virginia Cavalry Units Enrolled in April 1861
Spirit of '61 