History of the 61st Virginia Infantry Regiment in the Civil War

Confederate Regiments & Batteries > Virginia

1862
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.
October 1	Colonel Virginius Despaux Groner Colonel Samuel M. Wilson resigned. Colonel Virginius Despaux Groner took command of the regiment. Groner graduated from the Norfolk Military Academy, became Lieutenant Colonel of a Virginia militia regiment, served with Baylor’s Texas Rangers against the Indians on the Texas frontier. With the coming of the war he became Captain and Assistant Adjutant General in the Confederate army, serving in Montgomery and Richmond. He requested active sevice, and joined the 59th North Carolina Cavalry before being appointed as Colonel of the 61st Virginia Infantry.
November	Joined Mahone’s Brigade of Anderson’s Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
December 13	Battle of Fredericksburg Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William F. Niemeyer. The regiment lost one man wounded.
December 15	Encamped at Salem Church
1863
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 Chancellorsville The regiment was commanded by Colonel Virginius D. Groner. It lost 4 men killed and 28 wounded. Colonel Groner was wounded and May 3.
May 30	The regiment, along with the rest of Anderson’s Division, was transferred to the newly-formed Third Corps under Lieutenant General A. P. Hill
July 1-3	Battle of Gettysburg The regiment brought 356 men to Gettysburg and lost about eight percent of them. 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 from his division commander, Anderson. The regiment 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 Station Lieutenant Colonel William Niemeyer was wounded.
November 28	Colonel Virginius Groner was hospitalized in Richmond with dysentery, returning in December.
1864
May 5-6	Battle of the Wilderness
May 12-21	Battle of Spotsylvania Court House Lieutenant Colonel William Niemeyer was killed by a sharpshooter on May 12, and Colonel Virginius Groner was wounded from concussion and would be recovering for two months.
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 Crater There 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 Tavern Commanded by Colonel Virginius D. Groner
August 25	Battle of Ream’s Station
October 27	Battle of Boyden Plank Road Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William H. Stewart
December	Warren’s Raid
1865
February 6	Battle of Hatcher’s Run The regiment was commanded by Colonel Virginius D. Groner. It attacked near Dabney’s Stream Saw Mill.
March-April	Appomattox Campaign
April 9	Appomattox Court House The 61st Virginia Infantry Regiment surrendered 10 officers and 114 enlisted men under the command of Colonel Virginius D. Groner.

From the War Department marker for Mahone’s Brigade on the Gettysburg battlefield:

Battle of Bristoe Station