Virginia in the Civil War: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States of America|United States]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865|U.S. Civil War]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[Virginia|Virginia]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[Virginia Military Records|Virginia Military]]&nbsp; [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]&nbsp; [[Virginia in the Civil War|Virginia in the Civil War]]''<br>
| link1= [[Virginia Genealogy|Virginia]]
| link2=[[Virginia Military Records|Virginia Military]]
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| link5=[[Virginia in the Civil War]]
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Guide to '''{{PAGENAME}} ancestry, family history and genealogy:''' birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, parish registers, and military records. 
 


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=== Introduction  ===
=== Introduction  ===


Virginia was a prominent part of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Many of the battles fought during the war were fought on Virginian land. The first and last significant battles were held in Virginia, and the men that Virginia supplied for the fight were men from all economic and social levels, both slaveholders and non slaveholders, as well as former Unionists. The only areas that sent few or no men to fight for the Confederacy were located on the border with the North.<br>
Virginia was a prominent part of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Many of the battles fought during the war were fought on Virginian land. The first and last significant battles were held in Virginia, and the men that Virginina supplied for the fight were men from all economic and social levels, both slaveholders and nonslaveholders, as well as former Unionists. The only areas that sent few or no men to fight for the Confederacy were located on the border with the North.&nbsp;


The state was the focal point for a number of reasons.It had more manufacturers and more mines than any other state. It also had nearly 20% of the railroad track of the Southern states. Its state capital, Richmond, was also the Confederacy's capital. Because armies focus on capturing the enemy's capital, the Federals concentrated on capturing Richmond. The Confederates in turn worked to capture Washington D.C. The counties in between were doomed to suffer mass devastation. By 1865, the state's handsome towns were wrecked; its manufacturing centers destroyed; its farms ruined. Virginians starved and found themselves prey to foraging soldiers, looters and lawless bands. A half million men became casualties within its borders.
The state was the focal point for a number of reasons.&nbsp;It had more manufacturers and more mines than any other state. It also had nearly 20% of the railroad track of the Southern states. Its state capital, Richmond, was also the Confederacy's capital. Because armies focus on capturing the enemy's capital, the Federals concentrated on capturing Richmond. The Confederates in turn worked to capture Washington D.C. The counties in between were doomed to suffer&nbsp;mass devastation. By 1865, the state's handsome towns were wrecked; its manufacturing centers destroyed; its farms ruined. Virginians starved and found themselves prey to foraging soldiers, looters and lawless bands. A half million men became casualties within its borders.  


=== Virginia Military Units ===
=== Military Companies ===


Most units were numbered, however, many especially in the Confederate forces were named. See the table below for lists of the regiments, battalions, batteries, and other units
=== Union Companies  ===


The information in the lists of Virginia Military Units comes from the [https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm Civil War Soldiers and Sailors] website. That website also can be searched by the name of a soldier; see also:
*1st Regiment, Loyal Eastern Virginia Volunteers <br>"Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.<br>
*Wallace, Lee A. ''A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations 1861-1865'' 2nd rev. ed. Lynchburg, Virginia: H.E. Howard, 1986 at {{FSC|498411|title-id|disp=FS Catalog book 975.5 M2vr v. 29}}. part of the Virginia regimental histories series.
*Ashy, Bernice M. ''A guide to Virginia military organizations, 1861-1865; index'' Berryville, Virginia: Virginia Book Co.,1969 {{FSC|72785|item|disp=FS Library 975.5 M2wLa}}


*1st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (3 months, 1861) <br>"Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.<br>
<center>'''Virginia Confederate Units by Number or by Name'''</center><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); width: 30px; float: left; height: 40px; color: black;"></div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px; color: black;">'''''Confed. Units'''''</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Units 1st through 8th|1st-8th]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Units 9th through 31st|9th-31st]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Units 32nd through 86th|32nd- 86th]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Units 87th through 198th|87th- 198th]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Units A through L|A-L]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Units M-Z|M-Z]]</div><div style="width: 100%; float: left;"><br><center>'''Virginia Confederate Units by Type of Unit'''</center><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); width: 30px; float: left; height: 40px; color: black;"></div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px; color: black;">'''''Confed. Units'''''</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Infantry Units|Infantry]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Cavalry Units|Cavalry]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Artillery Units|Artillery]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Reserve Units|Reserves]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Confederate Local Units|Local Units]]</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(208, 208, 208); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia Civil War Other Confederate Units|Other]]</div>
<br>  


<br><br>
*16th Regiment, Virginia Infantry <br>"Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.<br>
<center>'''Virginia Union Units by Number'''</center><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); width: 30px; float: left; height: 40px; color: black;"></div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(204, 255, 255); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px; color: black;">'''''Union Units'''''</div><div style="margin: 4px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(204, 255, 255); width: 60px; float: left; height: 40px;">[[Virginia_Civil_War_Union_Units|Union Units]]</div></div>
<br><br>  


<br><br>  
*Dameron's Independent Company, Virginia Volunteers <br>"Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.<br>


<br>  
*[[Loudoun County Virginia Rangers|Loudoun County Virginia Rangers]] <br>Organized at Waterford, Virginia (Company A on 20 June 1862) and Point of Rocks, Maryland (Company B on 26 January 1864). <br>Mustered out at Bolivar, West Virginia, 31 May 1865.


<br>
=== Confederate  ===


*''List of Field Officers Regiments and Battalions in the Confederate States Army 1861-1865 ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=eBUTAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA66&lpg=RA1-PA66&dq=1st+Battalion,+Virginia+Light+Artillery+(Hardaway's)(Moseley's)&source=bl&ots=nbm9_nZMYW&sig=Imr96z20w8neDBkzU74JinqTzKA&hl=en&ei=C_G9TPfBMoiosQPh0vX8DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books]


[[Virginia Civil War Artillery Units|Artillery]]


Additional unit history information may be found in:
[[Virginia Civil War Cavalry Units|Cavalry]]
*Joseph H. Crute, Jr.. ''Units of the Confederate States Army'' Midlothian, Virginia : Derwent Books, c1987. {{FSC|590033|item|disp= FS Library Books973 M2crua}}
*Stewart Sifakis. ''Compendium of the Confederate armies'' 10 vols. New York, New York : Facts on File, c1992-1995 {{FSC|476605|item| disp=FS Library Book 975 M2ss}}
*F.Ray Sibley, Jr., ed. ''Confederate artillery organizations : an alphabetical listing of the officers and batteries of the Confederacy, 1861-1865'' El Dorado Hills, California : Savas Publishing and Savas Beatie LLC, ©2014 {{FSC|3227325|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 M2sfr}}
*W. J. Tancig, comp. ''Confederate military land units, 1861-1865'' New York, New York: Confederate military land units, 1861-1865 {{FSC|284841|item|disp=FS Library 973 M2wj}}


=== Battles Fought in Virginia  ===
=== Battles Fought in Virginia  ===


Over 120 battles were fought in Virginia during the Civil War (1861-1865). For more information about these battles, click [[Civil War Battles Fought in Virginia|here]]. <br>
Over 120 battles were fought in Virginia during the Civil War (1861-1865). For more information about these battles, click [[Civil War Battles Fought in Virginia|here]].  


=== Union Records  ===
<br>
 
==== 1890 Census  ====
 
'''1890 Census Veterans Schedules''' - The "Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War" (NARA M123) are available online for the state of Virginia. The schedules list Union veterans and their widows living in Virginia in 1890. For more information on the 1890 Veterans Schedules see [[Union Census Records|Union Census Records]].
 
==== Service Records  ====
 
The FamilySearch Library and the National Archives have the:
 
:*''Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers'' . . . (FS Library film {{FSC|314316|title-id|disp=881594}}).
 
:*''Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers'' . . . (FS Library film {{FSC|36086|title-id|disp=1292638-644}}). May provide the soldier's or sailor's unit which can help to find pension records but does not give information about other members of the soldier's family.
 
*'''Compiled Service Records''' - The [http://go.fold3.com/civilwar_records Compiled Service Records] ($) (Fold3.com) of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Virginia are available online. In the future, these records will be [http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2007/nr07-41.html made available at no charge] through the National Archives website. The service records are also available at no charge at [http://www.archives.gov/locations/archival-research.html National Archives research rooms]. The compiled service records consist of an envelope containing card abstracts taken from muster rolls, returns, pay vouchers, and other records. Service records may provide rank, unit, date of enlistment, length of service, age, place of birth, and date of death. For more information see [[Union Service Records|Union Service Records]].
 
*'''1861-1865''' {{RecordSearch|1932427|Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865}} at FamilySearch — index
 
==== Pension Records  ====
 
*''Pension Index File . . . 1861-1934'' (FS Library films beginning with {{FSC|184124|title-id|disp=540757}}). The actual pension records are only at the National Archives. Pension records sometimes list other members of the soldier's family and birth, marriage, and death information.
 
*'''Civil War Pension Index Cards''' - An {{RecordSearch|1471019|Index to Pension Applications}} of veterans who served in the US Army between 1861-1917 is available on FamilySearch. Each card gives the soldier’s name, application and certificate numbers, state of enlistment, and might include rank and death information. The majority of the records are of Civil War veterans, but the collection also includes records for veterans of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the Indian Wars, and World War I. For more information see [[Union Pension Records|Union Pension Records]].
 
==== Old Soldier Homes  ====
 
For records of national old soldier homes, including the home in Richmond, Virginia, see:
 
*United States. Veterans Administration. ''Registers of Veterans at National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1937''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. (On 282 FS Library films.) Includes general indexes for twelve homes, but some volumes are indexed separately. These Historical Registers may list the soldier's name, date and place of enlistment, rank, military unit, length of service, date and place of discharge, place of birth, age, physical description, religion, occupation, previous residence, marital status, nearest relative, pension, soldier home admission and discharge dates, disability, death date, or cause of death.
 
==== Southern Claims Commission  ====
 
If a Union sympathizer in Virginia claimed a loss during the Civil War due to Union military confiscation, he could apply to the Southern Claims Commission for reimbursement. Only a few applied per county, but their neighbors were called as witnesses and asked dozens of questions. Hundreds of the residents of all kinds in a county may be mentioned in answers to Commission questions, and their wartime activities described. To learn how to find records mentioning these neighbors in Virginia counties during the Civil War see the [[Southern Claims Commission|Southern Claims Commission]]. <br>  
 
==== Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)  ====
 
Grand Army of the Republic founded in 1866 - 1956, was the largest veteran’s organization in the country after the Civil War. It was a fraternal organization members were veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, Marines and Revenue Cutler Service who served in the American Civil War. The group supported voting rights for black veterans, and lobbied the U.S. Congress to establish veterans' pensions. In 1890 the membership was 490,000.
 
In 1888 there were 27 posts and 1,018 members in the state of Virginia
 
[http://www.garrecords.org/ GAR Posts in the State of Virginia]
 
The FamilySearch Catalog list records of the [https://familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&keyword=Virginia+Grand+Army+of+the+Republic&prekeyword=Virginia+Grand+Army+of+the+Republic Virginia Grand Army of the Republic].
 
==== Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War  ====


With the death of the last member of the Grand Army of the Republic the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was formed.
=== '''Records and Resources'''  ===


<br>
==== Union  ====


=== Confederate Records  ===
The Family History Library and the National Archives have the:


[[Image:Richmond Virginia damage2.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]  
*“''Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers'' . . .” (Family History Library film {{FHL|314316|title-id|disp=881594}}).
*''Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers'' . . . (Family History Library film {{FHL|36086|title-id|disp=1292638-644}}). May provide the soldier's or sailor's unit which can help to find pension records but does not give information about other members of the soldier's family.
*''Pension Index File . . . 1861-1934'' (Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|184124|title-id|disp=540757}}). The actual pension records are only at the National Archives. Pension records sometimes list other members of the soldier's family and birth, marriage, and death information.
*''Civil War Pension Index Cards'' - A free Internet index to pension applications of veterans who served in the US Army between 1861-1917 is available on [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1471019 FamilySearch Record Search]. Each card gives the soldier’s name, application and certificate numbers, state of enlistment, and might include rank and death information. Other wars, of that time period, may be included.


==== Service Records ====
==== Confederate ====
*'''1861-1865''' {{RecordSearch|1932382|Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865}} at FamilySearch — index


*''Index to Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers'' . . . (FS Library films {{FSC|281165|title-id|disp=881395-456}}).
For those who served in Confederate forces, the Family History Library has the following records.  


*''Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers'' . . . (on 1075 FS Library films {{FSC|499010|title-id|disp=1488678-1489752}}). Lists the soldier's name, rank, unit, and enlistment date and place.
From the National Archives:


'''Compiled Service Records''' - The [http://go.fold3.com/civilwar_records Compiled Service Records] ($) (Fold3.com) of Confederate soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Virginia are available online. In the future, these records will be [http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2007/nr07-41.html made available at no charge] through the National Archives website. The service records are also available at no charge at [http://www.archives.gov/locations/archival-research.html National Archives research rooms]. The compiled service records consist of an envelope containing card abstracts taken from muster rolls, returns, pay vouchers, and other records. Service records may provide rank, unit, date of enlistment, length of service, age, place of birth, and date of death. For more information see [[Confederate Service Records|Confederate Service Records]] See also [[United States, National Archives, Compiled Military Service Records Sources Civil War: Virginia]]
*''Index to Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers'' . . . (Family History Library films {{FHL|281165|title-id|disp=881395-456}}).  
*''Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers'' . . . (on 1075 Family History Library<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1218574903931_61" /> films {{FHL|499010|title-id|disp=1488678-1489752}}). Lists the soldier's name, rank, unit, and enlistment date and place.


From the [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/ Library of Virginia]: An outline explaining the variety of Virginia Civil War records available at the Library of Virginia in [https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/rn14_usingcivwar.pdf Research Notes series, No. 14.]  
From the [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/ Library of Virginia]: An outline explaining the variety of Virginia Civil War records available at the Library of Virginia in [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/mil/rn14_usingcivwar.pdf Research Notes series, No. 14.]  


*''Index to Confederate Service Records of Virginia'' . . .Available on {{FSC|409624|title-id|disp=FS Library films 029777-808}} - images. An online index to [https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/confederate-rosters Confederate Rosters Index] is an unofficial roster of Virginia Confederate soldiers.
*''Index to Confederate Service Records of Virginia'' . . .(Family History Library films {{FHL|409624|title-id|disp=029777-808}}). An online index to [http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas31&local_base=CLAS31 Virginia Confederate Rosters]&nbsp; is an unofficial roster of Virginia Confederate soldiers.  
 
*''Confederate Service Records of Virginia, 1861- 65'' (Family History Library film {{FHL|409624|title-id|disp=029767-76}}).  
*''Confederate Service Records of Virginia, 1861- 65.'' Available on {{FSC|409624|title-id|disp=FS Library films 029767-76}} - images.
*''[http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas10&local_base=CLAS10 Confederate Pension Applications], Virginia, Acts of 1888, 1900, 1902: Index 1888-1934''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. (On 219 Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|474918|title-id|disp=1439763}}.) Indexed by veteran's, widow's, or servant's name. Files are arranged by pension act, then by county, then by surname. Usually gives age, birthplace, and residence. In addition, the<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1213644453671_151" /> Library of Virginia has the [http://lvaimage.lib.va.us/collections/CW.html Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans and Widows Electronic Card Index].&nbsp;Because not all information is included in either of these pension rolls, both databases should be consulted.
 
*''Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, Register of Interments in Confederate Plots''. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia State Library, [19—?] (Family History Library film {{FHL|227306|title-id|disp=1294360}}) Alphabetical by name. Lists company, regiment, state, grave number, row, division, and remarks.
==== Pension Records  ====
 
*''Confederate Pension Applications], Virginia, Acts of 1888, 1900, 1902: Index 1888-1934''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. Available on {{FSC|474918|title-id|disp=FS Library films 1439763 (first of 219)}}(+++). Indexed by veteran's, widow's, or servant's name. Files are arranged by pension act, then by county, then by surname. Usually gives age, birthplace, and residence. In addition, the Library of Virginia has the [https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/confederate-pensions Confederate Pension Applications, Veterans and Widows]. Because not all information is included in either of these pension rolls, both sources should be consulted.


The Confederate pension records from 1888 to 1928 are only at the Virginia State Library.  
The Confederate pension records from 1888 to 1928 are only at the Virginia State Library.  


*Further Library of Virginia online databases include:
*Further&nbsp;Library of Virginia online databases include:


:- [https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/confederate-disability Confederate Disability Applications]  
:- [http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas11&local_base=CLAS11 Confederate Disability Applications and Receipts]  
:- [https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/lee-home Robert E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldiers' Home Applications]  
:- [http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas16&local_base=clas16 Robert E. Lee Soldier's Home Applications for Admission]  
:- [https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/Civil-War/ Virginia in the American Civil War] - Library of Virginia collections pertaining to the American Civil War.
:- [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/notes/CivilWarbib.pdf Selected Civil War Resources in the Personal Papers and Military Records Collections...]  
:- [https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/connavy/ Confederate Navy Index]  
:- [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/mil/connavy/index.htm Confederate Navy Index]
:- [https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/confederate-veteran Confederate Veteran Magazine Index]
:- [http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas65&local_base=CLAS65 Index to the Confederate Magazine]


==== Presidential Pardons of Former Confederates, 1863–1868 ====
==== Published Sources ====
 
From 1863 to 1868, former Confederates could apply for pardon from the federal government. The voting rights and citizenship of former Confederates were restored when they applied for pardon and signed an Amnesty Oath.
 
A published list of pardons is available online:
 
*''Pardons by the President: Final Report of the Names of Persons Who Lived in Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, or Georgia, were Engaged in Rebellion and Pardoned by the President, Andrew Johnson.'' Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, Inc., 1986.
 
*'''Related National Archives Collections '''
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/648273 Provost Marshal General, District of Virginia, Certificates of Oath and Parole, 1863 - 1865]
 
==== Confederate Prisoners of War ====
 
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/united-states-records-of-confederate-prisoners-of-war-1861-1865-browse United States, Records Of Confederate Prisoners Of War, 1861-1865] at Findmypast - Index
 
==== Regimental Rosters and Histories ====


Regimental rosters with biographical information of Virginia soldiers are published in:  
Regimental rosters with biographical information of Virginia soldiers are published in:  


*''Virginia Regimental Histories Series''. (Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, 1982–.), (FS Library book {{FSC|975.5 M2vr|disp=975.5 M2vr}}.) 119 volumes in the series have been completed.
*''Virginia Regimental Histories Series''. Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, 1982–. (Family History Library book {{FHL|975.5 M2vr|disp=975.5 M2vr}}.) 119 volumes in the series have been completed.  
 
*''Register of the Confederate Dead Interred in Hollywood Cemetery: Richmond, Virginia''. Richmond, Virginia: Gary, Clemmitt and Jones, 1869. (Family History Library book {{FHL|144892|title-id|disp=975.5451 V3r}}; Family History Library US/CAN Film {{FHL|144892|title-id|disp=33625}}.) This register lists thousands of Confederate soldiers buried in Richmond. Includes name, company, regiment, state, date of death, cemetery section and number.
*''List of Field Officers, Regiments and Battalions in the Confederate States Army 1861-1865 ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=eBUTAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA66&lpg=RA1-PA66&dq=1st+Battalion,+Virginia+Light+Artillery+(Hardaway's)(Moseley's)&source=bl&ots=nbm9_nZMYW&sig=Imr96z20w8neDBkzU74JinqTzKA&hl=en&ei=C_G9TPfBMoiosQPh0vX8DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books]
 
*[http://history-sites.com/~kjones/CSva-wv.html Confederate Regimental History Links] indexes regimental histories.
 
==== Cemetery Records  ====
 
*A nineteen volume set of cemetery records is:
 
:- Spratt, Thomas M. ''Men in Gray Interments''. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co., c1996-1998 ; Athens, Georgia : New Papyrus Pub., c1998-2009. (FS Library book {{FSC|770667|title-id|disp=975.5 V3s}}) This gives name and location of cemetery, soldier's name, regiment, and any other information taken from tombstones, monuments and publications. Many of the soldiers served in regiments other than those from Virginia.
 
*''Register of the Confederate Dead Interred in Hollywood Cemetery: Richmond, Virginia''. Richmond, Virginia: Gary, Clemmitt and Jones, 1869. (FS Library book {{FSC|144892|title-id|disp=975.5451 V3r}}; FamilySearch Library US/CAN Film {{FSC|144892|title-id|disp=33625}}.) This register lists thousands of Confederate soldiers buried in Richmond. Includes name, company, regiment, state, date of death, cemetery section and number.
 
*''Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, Register of Interments in Confederate Plots''. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia State Library, [19—?] (FS Library film {{FSC|227306|title-id|disp=1294360}}) Alphabetical by name. Lists company, regiment, state, grave number, row, division, and remarks.
 
=== Guides to Military Units  ===


For guidebooks to Virginia's military units for the Civil War, the following sources are helpful:  
For guidebooks to Virginia's military units for the Civil War, the following sources are helpful:  


*Sifakis, Stewart. ''Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia''. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1992- 1995. (FS Library book {{FSC|476605|title-id|disp=975 M2ss}}, Ten Volumes.) Gives organization information for each unit and its field officers, assignments, and battles. It also lists sources further reading. Volume 5 is for Virginia.
*Sifakis, Stewart. ''Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia''. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1992- 1995. (Family History Library book {{FHL|476605|title-id|disp=975 M2ss}}, Ten Volumes.) Gives organization information for each unit and its field officers, assignments, and battles. It also lists sources further reading. Volume 5 is for Virginia.
*Wallace, Lee A. ''A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations, 1861-1865''. Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, 1986. (Family History Library book {{FHL|498411|title-id|disp=975.5 M2vr, Volume 29}}.) Gives brief historical sketches of each regiment and lists officers, company names, and commanders.


*Wallace, Lee A. ''A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations, 1861-1865''. Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, 1986. (FS Library book {{FSC|498411|title-id|disp=975.5 M2vr, Volume 29}}.) Gives brief historical sketches of each regiment and lists officers, company names, and commanders.
For records of national old soldier homes, including the home in Richmond, Virginia, see:  


=== Internet Sites  ===
*United States. Veterans Administration. ''Registers of Veterans at National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1937''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. (On 282 Family History Library films.) Includes general indexes for twelve homes, but some volumes are indexed separately. These Historical Registers may list the soldier's name, date and place of enlistment, rank, military unit, length of service, date and place of discharge, place of birth, age, physical description, religion, occupation, previous residence, marital status, nearest relative, pension, soldier home admission and discharge dates, disability, death date, or cause of death.


*[http://www.virginiacivilwar.org/ Civil War in Virginia] by the Commonwealth of Virginia has information about historical and current Civil War events. The Walk in Their Footsteps section has short regimental histories. In that section's Resources, is a list of other Internet sites and books with good Civil War information. <br>
==== Southern Claims Commission  ====
 
*[http://history-sites.com/~kjones/CSva-wv.html Confederate Regimental History Links] for indexes and links to Confederate Regimental Histories.<br>
 
*[http://www.virginiaplaces.org/military/civwar.html Civil War in Virginia] for a link to a variety of Virginia in the Civil War sites.


*[http://www.mdgorman.com Civil War Richmond]  is a free database of documents, maps, photographs, and newspaper articles, relating to Richmond during the Civil War. A hospital index links to contemporary newspapers reporting on battles, casualties, and arrivals at specific hospitals. There are also newspaper articles about the prisons near Richmond, which held Union prisoners of war.
If a Union sympathizer in Virginia claimed a loss during the Civil War due to Union military confiscation, he could apply to the Southern Claims Commission for reimbursement. Only a few applied per county, but their neighbors were called as witnesses and asked dozens of questions. Hundreds of the residents of all kinds in a county may be mentioned in answers to Commission questions, and their wartime activities described. To learn how to find records mentioning these neighbors in Virginia counties during the Civil War see the [[Southern Claims Commission|Southern Claims Commission]]. <br>


=== References  ===
=== References  ===
*{{FSC|732385|item|disp=Graham T. Dozier, comp., ''Virginia's Civil War : a guide to manuscripts at the Virginia Historical Society.''Richmond, Virginia : Virginia Historical Society, c1998. FS Library 975.5 M23d}}
<references />


{{U.S. Civil War}}
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[[Category:Virginia_-_Military_-_Civil_War,_1861-1865]] [[Category:Virginia Military Records]]
[[Category:Virginia_-_Military_-_Civil_War,_1861-1865]]

Revision as of 15:14, 9 March 2011

United States  Gotoarrow.png  U.S. Civil War  Gotoarrow.png  Virginia  Gotoarrow.png  Virginia Military  Gotoarrow.png  Virginia in the Civil War

Appomattox Civil War Centennial Stamp

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Virginia was a prominent part of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Many of the battles fought during the war were fought on Virginian land. The first and last significant battles were held in Virginia, and the men that Virginina supplied for the fight were men from all economic and social levels, both slaveholders and nonslaveholders, as well as former Unionists. The only areas that sent few or no men to fight for the Confederacy were located on the border with the North. 

The state was the focal point for a number of reasons. It had more manufacturers and more mines than any other state. It also had nearly 20% of the railroad track of the Southern states. Its state capital, Richmond, was also the Confederacy's capital. Because armies focus on capturing the enemy's capital, the Federals concentrated on capturing Richmond. The Confederates in turn worked to capture Washington D.C. The counties in between were doomed to suffer mass devastation. By 1865, the state's handsome towns were wrecked; its manufacturing centers destroyed; its farms ruined. Virginians starved and found themselves prey to foraging soldiers, looters and lawless bands. A half million men became casualties within its borders.

Military Companies[edit | edit source]

Union Companies[edit | edit source]

  • 1st Regiment, Loyal Eastern Virginia Volunteers
    "Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.
  • 1st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (3 months, 1861)
    "Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.
  • 16th Regiment, Virginia Infantry
    "Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.
  • Dameron's Independent Company, Virginia Volunteers
    "Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer contains no history for this unit.
  • Loudoun County Virginia Rangers
    Organized at Waterford, Virginia (Company A on 20 June 1862) and Point of Rocks, Maryland (Company B on 26 January 1864).
    Mustered out at Bolivar, West Virginia, 31 May 1865.

Confederate[edit | edit source]

  • List of Field Officers Regiments and Battalions in the Confederate States Army 1861-1865 Google Books

Artillery

Cavalry

Battles Fought in Virginia[edit | edit source]

Over 120 battles were fought in Virginia during the Civil War (1861-1865). For more information about these battles, click here.


Records and Resources[edit | edit source]

Union[edit | edit source]

The Family History Library and the National Archives have the:

  • “Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers . . .” (Family History Library film 881594).
  • Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers . . . (Family History Library film 1292638-644). May provide the soldier's or sailor's unit which can help to find pension records but does not give information about other members of the soldier's family.
  • Pension Index File . . . 1861-1934 (Family History Library films beginning with 540757). The actual pension records are only at the National Archives. Pension records sometimes list other members of the soldier's family and birth, marriage, and death information.
  • Civil War Pension Index Cards - A free Internet index to pension applications of veterans who served in the US Army between 1861-1917 is available on FamilySearch Record Search. Each card gives the soldier’s name, application and certificate numbers, state of enlistment, and might include rank and death information. Other wars, of that time period, may be included.

Confederate[edit | edit source]

For those who served in Confederate forces, the Family History Library has the following records.

From the National Archives:

  • Index to Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers . . . (Family History Library films 881395-456).
  • Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers . . . (on 1075 Family History Library films 1488678-1489752). Lists the soldier's name, rank, unit, and enlistment date and place.

From the Library of Virginia: An outline explaining the variety of Virginia Civil War records available at the Library of Virginia in Research Notes series, No. 14.

  • Index to Confederate Service Records of Virginia . . .(Family History Library films 029777-808). An online index to Virginia Confederate Rosters  is an unofficial roster of Virginia Confederate soldiers.
  • Confederate Service Records of Virginia, 1861- 65 (Family History Library film 029767-76).
  • Confederate Pension Applications, Virginia, Acts of 1888, 1900, 1902: Index 1888-1934. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. (On 219 Family History Library films beginning with 1439763.) Indexed by veteran's, widow's, or servant's name. Files are arranged by pension act, then by county, then by surname. Usually gives age, birthplace, and residence. In addition, the Library of Virginia has the Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans and Widows Electronic Card Index. Because not all information is included in either of these pension rolls, both databases should be consulted.
  • Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, Register of Interments in Confederate Plots. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia State Library, [19—?] (Family History Library film 1294360) Alphabetical by name. Lists company, regiment, state, grave number, row, division, and remarks.

The Confederate pension records from 1888 to 1928 are only at the Virginia State Library.

  • Further Library of Virginia online databases include:
- Confederate Disability Applications and Receipts
- Robert E. Lee Soldier's Home Applications for Admission
- Selected Civil War Resources in the Personal Papers and Military Records Collections...
- Confederate Navy Index
- Index to the Confederate Magazine

Published Sources[edit | edit source]

Regimental rosters with biographical information of Virginia soldiers are published in:

  • Virginia Regimental Histories Series. Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, 1982–. (Family History Library book 975.5 M2vr.) 119 volumes in the series have been completed.
  • Register of the Confederate Dead Interred in Hollywood Cemetery: Richmond, Virginia. Richmond, Virginia: Gary, Clemmitt and Jones, 1869. (Family History Library book 975.5451 V3r; Family History Library US/CAN Film 33625.) This register lists thousands of Confederate soldiers buried in Richmond. Includes name, company, regiment, state, date of death, cemetery section and number.

For guidebooks to Virginia's military units for the Civil War, the following sources are helpful:

  • Sifakis, Stewart. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1992- 1995. (Family History Library book 975 M2ss, Ten Volumes.) Gives organization information for each unit and its field officers, assignments, and battles. It also lists sources further reading. Volume 5 is for Virginia.
  • Wallace, Lee A. A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations, 1861-1865. Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, 1986. (Family History Library book 975.5 M2vr, Volume 29.) Gives brief historical sketches of each regiment and lists officers, company names, and commanders.

For records of national old soldier homes, including the home in Richmond, Virginia, see:

  • United States. Veterans Administration. Registers of Veterans at National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1937. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. (On 282 Family History Library films.) Includes general indexes for twelve homes, but some volumes are indexed separately. These Historical Registers may list the soldier's name, date and place of enlistment, rank, military unit, length of service, date and place of discharge, place of birth, age, physical description, religion, occupation, previous residence, marital status, nearest relative, pension, soldier home admission and discharge dates, disability, death date, or cause of death.

Southern Claims Commission[edit | edit source]

If a Union sympathizer in Virginia claimed a loss during the Civil War due to Union military confiscation, he could apply to the Southern Claims Commission for reimbursement. Only a few applied per county, but their neighbors were called as witnesses and asked dozens of questions. Hundreds of the residents of all kinds in a county may be mentioned in answers to Commission questions, and their wartime activities described. To learn how to find records mentioning these neighbors in Virginia counties during the Civil War see the Southern Claims Commission.

References[edit | edit source]

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