Confederate Regiments & Batteries > Virginia
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1862
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| August 8 | The 61st Virginia Infantry Regiment was organized at Petersburg by expanding the 7th Virginia Infantry Battalion. It was under the command of Colonel Samuel M. Wilson and Lieutenant Colonel William Frederick Niemeyer. |
| November | Joined Mahone’s Brigade of Anderson’s Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. Colonel Wilson resigned and Colonel Virginius D. Groner took command of the regiment. |
| December 13 |
Battle of FredericksburgCommanded by Lieutenant Colonel William F. Niemeyer. The regiment lost one man wounded. |
| December 15 | Encamped at Salem Church |
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1863
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| January | Ordered to the fords of the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. |
| April 28 | Ordered to fall back as Hooker crossed the Rappahannock. Placed in line of battle at Zoan Church on the Plank Road. |
| May 1-4 |
Battle of ChancellorsvilleThe regiment was commanded by Colonel Virginius D. Groner. It lost 4 men killed and 28 wounded. |
| May 30 | The regiment, along with the rest of Anderson’s Division, was transferred to the newly-formed Third Army Corps under Lieutenant General A. P. Hill |
| July 1-3 |
Battle of GettysburgThe regiment lost about eight percent of the 356 who were at Gettysburg. Mahone’s Brigade had the lowest casualty rate of any Confederate brigade at Gettysburg. It had been positioned to join Longstreet’s attack on the afternoon of July 2 but Mahone refused requests for support by Wright and Posey, claiming he had other orders. It was intended to support Early’s evening attack on Cemetery Hill but the attack failed before Mahone could join. And although fresh and unblooded the brigade was overlooked for Pickett’s charge on July 3 while far more seriously damaged brigades were included. From the War Department marker for Mahone’s Brigade on the Gettysburg battlefield: July 2. Arrived and took position here in the forenoon under orders to support the artillery. A strong skirmish line was sent out which was constantly engaged and did effective service. July 3. Remained here in support of the artillery. Took no active part in the battle except by skirmishers. July 4. In line here all day. At dark began the march to Hagerstown. |
| October 14 |
Battle of Bristoe StationLieutenant Colonel Niemeyer was wounded. |
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1864
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| May 5-6 |
Battle of the Wilderness |
| May 12-21 |
Battle of Spotsylvania Court HouseLieutenant Colonel Niemeyer was killed by a sharpshooter on May 12. |
| June 3 |
Battle of Cold Harbor |
| June 18 | The regiment reached Petersburg and spent two days near Battery 33 on the Dimmock Line. |
| June 22-23 | Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road |
| June 24 | In trenches near the Wilcox farm south of Petersburg |
| July 30 |
Battle of The CraterThere is a monument to Mahone’s Brigade at the Crater on the Petersburg National Battlefield. |
| August 1 | Assigned to Weisinger’s Brigade, Mahone’s Division, Third Corps, Army of the Potomac |
| August 18-21 |
Battle of Globe TavernCommanded by Colonel Virginius D. Groner |
| August 25 |
Battle of Ream’s Station |
| October 27 |
Battle of Boyden Plank RoadCommanded by Lieutenant Colonel William H. Stewart |
| December | Warren’s Raid |
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1865
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| February 6 |
Battle of Hatcher’s RunThe regiment was commanded by Colonel Virginius D. Groner. It attacked near Dabney’s Stream Saw Mill. |
| April | Retreat from Petersburg |
| April 9 |
Appomattox Court HouseThe 61st Virginia Infantry Regiment surrendered 10 officers and 114 enlisted men. |