38th VA - Military History

Men of Virginia gathered on May 3, 1961 in response to a call to arms by Governor John Letcher. Colonel Edward Claxton Edmonds, a VMI graduate, was the initial leader of the group that would eventually become the 38th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This regiment was mostly recruited from the Pittsylvania County area and, thus, was known as the "Pittsylvania Regiment". Our Company, Company F, the "Davis Rifle Guard", was organized at Republican Grove in neighboring Halifax County and officially entered Confederate Service on June 4, 1861.

The companies marched from Danville to Richmond for training at Camp Lee (current site of the Science Museum of Virginia, on modern-day Broad Street). Epidemics of various diseases, such as measles, mumps, small pox and dysentery soon resulted in camp deaths long before the unit was to see battle.

The 38th was assigned to the command of General Joseph E. Johnston at Winchester. The unit departed by train for their destination suffering a collision with another train on the way which, fortunately did not result in any injury. As the enemy failed to materialize at Winchester, the 38th was ordered to counter an enemy advance on Manassas Junction. The Confederate troops were transported by rail, probably one of the first times that men were brought to the battlefield in this manner.

Arriving too late to participate in the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), the 38th camped near Centerville. Again, camp disease took its heavy toll. The regiment eventually went into winter quarters on the Manassas battlefield.

The unit was sent to the Richmond area to help oppose McClellan's peninsular campaign. The troops were moved by train and by boat and were put ashore at King's Mill near Williamsburg and marched close to Yorktown. The 38th saw duty in the trenches in cold, heavy rain and endured deadly rifle fire from Union sharpshooters.

Under the command of General Jubal A. Early, on May 1, the unit participated in action that aided General James Longstreet at Fort Magruder, a pivotal defensive position on the peninsula which was under attack by the troops of General Winfield Scott Hancock. Unfortunately, a combination of poor leadership and bad luck lead to a rather inconsequential encounter with the Union army, as the "Pittsylvania regiment" became tangled in dense woods and was ordered to retire just as the rest of the Brigade was ordered to withdraw.

After this engagement, the unit was reassigned to the command of General Samuel Garland Jr., another VMI graduate. On May 28, the 38th found itself on the Williamsburg road on picket duty and skirmishing with the Union Army of the Potomac. Orders came to hit the Union army before they could consolidate. Garland's brigade hit part of the Union Fourth Corps at the Battle of Seven Pines. Confederates had to attack through swampy woods and were "hotly engaged ", slowly driving the enemy back when their ammunition began to run low. The colors of the 104th Pennsylvania volunteers was captured during this battle before the withdrawal. Casualties were very high: of the original 350 men and officers of the 38th Virginia, 16 were killed, 117 wounded and 14 missing in action for a casualty rate of 42%.

The 38th was then placed under the command of General Lewis Armistead, of Huger's Division where it remained for the rest of the war. Soon after, under the direct command of General Magruder, the unit was involved in action at King's School House (Oak Grove) in a repulse of units of McCellan's army. At noon on June 29, the 38th's brigade entered the Union trenches as McClellan retreated. The Confederate Army chased the retreating Union Army with the 38th in the van with continuous skirmishing and artillery duels the entire time. Firm contact was made at Malvern Hill on July 1. Initially, the troops under Colonel Edmonds drove the counter-attacking Union troops back. The 38th went on the offensive and drove three-quarters of a mile into no-man's land and were pinned down three hours by murderous fire including shells from supporting gun boats. Reinforcements were sent and the Virginians made six charges into the cannon set at the top of the hill. Color bearers and officers were prime targets. The staff of the battle flag was shot to slivers and the flag was eventually borne off the field on the bayonet of a musket. Fifty bullet holes were found in the flag. Casualties for the 38th were 11 killed, 72 wounded and 11 missing. McCellan eventually boarded his boats and made good his escape.

The Pittsylvanians played but a supporting role at Second Manassas, August 30. In Anderson's division, the 38th marched north to cross the Potomac and invade Montgomery county Maryland (September 6). From here, the unit was detailed to attack and gain Maryland Heights at Harper's Ferry to ensure Lee's lifeline to the Shenandoah valley. This was accomplished as planned on September 13.

On September 16, the 38th was engaged at Sharpsburg suffering light casualties. Lee decided to order the Army of Northern Virginia back to the Old Dominion, with Armistead's brigade, including the 38th, as the rear guard fighting all the way. Longstreet's division went into camp where they passed in review for two members of British Parliament. "Bare-foot men" were kept in camp.

The 38th found itself in Fredericksburg in time for Burnside's futile attack (December 13). The 38th was in the middle of the defensive position there and afterward, went into winter quarters.

Marching and counter-marching found the 38th in Pennsylvania 2 miles north of Chambersburg on the York Road in late June. For the first time in awhile, there was plenty to eat. When Gettysburg loomed as a major battle, Lee ordered Pickett's division to the front early in the morning on July 3. After two day's of fighting, Pickett's newly arrived troops were the freshest and were ordered, supported by Pettigrew's and Thimble's divisions, to take the center of the Federal line on Cemetery Ridge. Approximately 10,500 men were involved in the ill-fated Pickett's charge. In minutes, 40% of the 38th were casualties and the battle flag was captured during a flanking movement by the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Colonel Edmonds, who presided over the initial organization of the 38th lay dead on the field.

The expected counter-attack never came and the wounded Southern Army retreated at night in the driving rain burying the dead in unmarked graves as it went. The 38th escorted Union prisoners during the retreat.

The "Pittsylvania regiment" went into winter quarters in Kingston, NC still under Picketts command.

The 38th participated in a failed attempt to re-capture New Bern, NC February 1. After this engagement, they were transported by railroad to Richmond.

On May 10, the unit was involved in the Battle of Chester Station. The brigadier in charge wrote in his report " ...I have never seen troops fight better, nor behave with superior steadiness under so fierce an onslaught on their flank and rear. They engaged a force five times their number on ground selected by the enemy and presenting unusual obstacles, drove them 1,000 yards, yielded ground gained only after obstinate conflict and remained masters of the field." The weary 38th was soon engaged on May 16, at Drewry's Bluff, fighting in dense fog and capturing the trenches and many prisoners. Losses to the unit were 23 killed and 77 wounded.

The 38th took part in the Battle of Cold Harbor in June 1-3. On June 17, the 38th was skirmishing at Bermuda Hundred and continued with the defense of Richmond in June, July and August. Pickets were often within ear-shot of the enemy.

General Robert E. Lee visited the camp of the 38th on November 1.

January and February were spent in manning trenches between Chester Station and Bermuda Hundred, with snow, ice and constant danger from sharpshooters. Understandably, the number of desertions rose.

The regiment was present at Five Forks on April 1, and fought well even though greatly out numbered, out-flanked and running out of ammunition. The troops were fighting with clubbed muskets at the end. The Confederate Army retreated toward Amelia Court House (April 4) fighting rear-guard actions the whole while. Expected food and supplies were not found there. The army continued to retreat and fight until cornered at Sayler's Creek (April 6) where the 38th fought its last battle. The 2nd Ohio Cavalry captured the 38th colors. This was the second time the colors were lost during the war.

Remnants of the 38th Virginia finally surrendered near Appomattox Court House (April 12): 13 officers, 9 sergeants, and 51 privates presented for parole. The unit broke camp for the last time on April 13, 1865.

Company A
-- Entered Confederate Service on May 30, 1861
-- Daniel C. Townes, was the first company commander
-- Captain Townes served until July 3, 1863, when he was killed in action at Gettysburg
-- Captain Richard J. Joyce served as company commander until August 25, 1864, captured at Bermuda Hundred
-- Captain Thomas J. Turner served as company commander until the surrender at Appomattox.

Company B, "Pittsylvania Vindicators"
-- Organized at Callands on May 23, 1861, by Dr. John Roy Cabell, Captain
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 4, 1861
-- Captain Cabell resigned his commission on December 10, 1862 due to failing health
-- Captain William B. Pritchard commanded the company for the remainder of the war

Company C, "Laurel Grove Riflemen"
-- Organized at Laurel Grove on May 11, 1861, by Captain William B. Simpson
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 3, 1861
-- Captain John T. Grubbs was elected company commander on April 29, 1862 and served until Appomattox

Company D, "Whitemell Guards"
-- Organized at Whitmell on June 3, 1861, by Captain Ralph C. Herndon
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 11, 1861
-- Captain Herndon resigned on May 1, 1862, he was succeeded by Captain William H. Badgett
-- Captain Badgett resigned on July 17, 1862, he was succeeded by Captain John A. Herndon
-- Captain Badgett served until April 1, 1865 when he was captured near Dinwiddie Court House

Company E, "Cabell Guards"
-- Organized in Danville on May 28, 1861, by Captain Joseph Robert Cabell
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 8, 1861
-- Company Motto "Victory or Death!"
-- Captain Cabell was promoted to Major on May 12, 1862, he was succeeded by Captain Thomas M Tyree
-- Captain Tyree served until April 1, 1865 when he was captured near Dinwiddie Court House

Company F, "Davis Rifle Guard"
-- Organized at Republican Grove in Halifax County on May 7, 1861 by Captain Jeduthan Carter, Jr.
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 4, 1861
-- Captain Carter served until April 29, 1862, he was succeeded by Captain Lafayetta Jennings
-- Captain Jennigs resigned on February 10, 1865, he was succeeded by Captain Raleigh T. Daniel, Jr.

Company G, "Mecklenburg Rifles"
-- Organized at Boydton in Mecklenburg County on May 18, 1861, by Captain William Townes, Jr.
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 3, 1861
-- Captain Townes served until April 29, 1862, he was succeeded by Captain Henderson L. Lee
-- Captain Lee was promoted to Major on November 15, 1863, he was socceeded by Captain Benjamin J. Hawthorne

Company H, "Secession Guards"
-- Organized at Pittsylvania Court House on June 7, 1861, by Captain Joseph M. Terry
-- Entered Confederate Service on July 2, 1861
-- Captain Terry resigned on December 13, 1861, he was succeeded by Captain Edgar W. Carrington
-- Captain Carrington was killed at the battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862
-- Captain Carrington was succeeded by Captain James E. Poindexter
-- Captain Poindexter served until July 3, 1863 when he has captured at Gettysburg

First Company I, "Confederate Guards"
-- Organized at Clarksville in Mecklenburg County by Captain John S. Wood
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 20, 1861
-- Captain Wood served until April 29, 1862, he was succeeded by Captain William Walter Wood
-- The Company was transferred from the regiment and assigned as the second company G of the 14th Virginia

Second Company I, "St. Brides Artillery"
-- Organized in Norfolk County on June 20, 1861, by Captain George Alexander Martin
-- Organized as Company B, 20th Battalion, Virginia Heavy Artillery
-- Entered Confederate Service on July 6, 1861
-- Transfered to the 38th Virginia on May 3, 1864

Company K, "The Cascade Rifles"
-- Organized at Cascade on April 24, 1861, by Captain George King Griggs
-- Entered Confederate Service on June 3, 1861
-- Captain Griggs was promted to Major on August 4, 1864, he was succeeded by Captain William G. Cabaniss
-- Captain Cabaniss retired on December 17, 1864 due to severe wound in the jaw
-- Captain Cabaniss was succeeded by Captain James M. Cabaniss


		1861 Summary		7/22/97
		1862 Summary		7/22/97
		1863 Summary		7/22/97
		1864 Summary		7/22/97
		1865 Summary		7/22/97
		Companies of the 38th Virginia		7/22/97
		Engagements of the 38th Virginia		7/28/97

38th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry Company F "Davis Rifle Guards"

38th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry
Company F
"Davis Rifle Guards"