7th Virginia Infantry Company F Civil War Reenactment Group

The Seventh Virginia Infantry was organized in May 1861. After serving briefly in Virginia's State forces, the regiment was mustered into service on July 1, 1861. Below is more detailed information on the individual companies of the unit.

"A" Nicknamed the Richardson Guards
Men from Madison County; organized
Originally organized as an independent Virginia Militia company in August 1859

"E" Nicknamed the Hazelwood Volunteers
Men from Culpeper County
While in State service was Company "C"

"G" Nicknamed the Rappahannock Guards
Men from Rappahannock County

"H" Nicknamed the Washington Volunteers
Most men were from the District of Columbia and Maryland
Most members did not re-enlist in the spring of 1862
Men from Company "E" 1st Va Inf added to company in early May
Company disbanded in late May 1862

In addition to the above, a company of sharpshooters, nicknamed the Sperryville Sharpshooters, served with the regiment briefly in the summer of 1861. The members were from Rappahannock County. On August 7, 1861 the company became Company "K" of the 49th Virginia Infantry.

Regimental commanders of the Seventh included:
James L. Kemper
Waller T. Patton (Great Uncle of Gen. George S. Patton)
Charles C. Floweree
Lewis B. Williams
Aylett A. Swindler
Philip S. Ashby
Albin T. Hill
Baxaliel G. Brown
Alphonso N. Jones

The regiment's original commanding officer, James Lawson Kemper, led the unit until promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General on June 3, 1862. He commanded a brigade in Pickett's Division and was badly wounded and captured on July 3, 1863. Later exchanged, his wounds prevented further active field duty. He subsequently commanded the Virginia Reserve forces and was promoted to the rank of Major-General to date from September 19, 1864. He surrendered and was paroled at Danville, Virginia on May 2, 1865.

Upon being mustered into Confederate service, the Seventh was attached to the Army of the Potomac. It served with that army until early 1862 and then joined the Potomac District of the Department of Northern Virginia. This command was subsequently absorbed by the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment served with that Army until after the Battle of Gettysburg. It was then attached to the Department of Richmond. The unit later served in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia before rejoining the Army of Northern Virginia late summer of 1864. It served in that Army for the remainder of it's service.

The Seventh participated in more than 45 various engagements during its career. Some of the major engagements follow:

First Bull Run, Manassas, VA. July 21, 1861
Seven Days Battles June 25-July 1, 1862
Second Bull Run, Manassas, VA. August 30, 1862
South Mountain, MD. September 14, 1862
Antietam, Sharpsburg, MD. September, 16, 17, 1862
Fredericksburg, VA. December 12-15, 1862
Gettysburg, PA. July 3, 1863
Petersburg/Richmond, VA. May 4-October 28, 1864
Five Forks, VA. April 1, 1865
Sailor's Creek, VA. April 6, 1865
Appomattox Court House, VA. April 9, 1865

For more information about the 7th Virginia you may want to read The Story of a Confederate Boy in the Civil War by David E. Johnston - an original member of the 7th Virginia. The entire book is available online on the UNC website.

Highly recommended is the comprehensive book by David Riggs, published by H.E. Howard - Regimental History Series, The 7th Virginia Infantry.