History of the 41st Virginia Infantry Regiment in the Civil war

Confederate Regiments & Batteries > Virginia

1861
July 1	Seven companies of the 41st Virginia Infantry Regiment were organized in Norfolk under the command of Colonel John R. Chambliss (West Point Class of 1853) Company A – “Sussex Sharpshooters” – Sussex County, Captain Thomas J. Eppes Company B – “Confederate Grays” – Chesterfield, Henrico, and Hanover Counties, and Richmond, Captain Benjamin H. Nash Company C – “McRae Rifles” – Petersburg, Prince George, Dinwiddie, and Chesterfield Counties, Captain James S. Gilliam Company D – “Rough and Ready Volunteers” – Clover Hill, Captain Asa R. Smith Company E – “United Artillery Company” – Norfolk County, Captain Thomas Kevill Company F – “Norfolk County Rifle Patriots” – Norfolk County, Captain William H. Etheridge Company G – “Bilisoly Blues” – Norfolk County, Captain Charles R. McAlpine Three additional companies were added in July and August to bring the regiment up to strength: Company H – Southampton County, Captain George E. Beaton Company I – “Cypress Chapel Sharpshooters” – Nansemond County, Captain Robert B. Brinkley Company K – “South Quay Guards” – Nansemond County, Captain Jonas W. Lawrence Assigned to the Department of Norfolk.
1862
April 9	Company E was detached to become the United Artillery Battery under Captain Thomas Kevill.
May 3	Captain Joseph P. Minetree was promoted to major.
May	Assigned to Mahone’s Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia.
June 25-July 1	Seven Days Battles The regiment mustered 564 men.
July 1	Malvern Hill The regiment lost 14 men killed, 51 wounded, and 20 missing. Lieutenant Colonel Parham was badly wounded and Major Minetree was wounded.
August 15	Major Minetree was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
September 17	Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) The regiment lost 8 men killed and 34 wounded.
September 17	Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph P. Minetree while Colonel William A. Parham commanded Mahone’s Brigade as senior colonel. The regiment lost 9 casualties.
December 13	Battle of Fredericksburg
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 William A. Parham.
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 Gettysburg The 41st Virginia Infantry Regiment brought 276 men to the field and loss about 5% casualties. 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.
1864
May 5-6	Battle of the Wildrness Lieutenant Colonel Minetree was wounded.
May 12-21	Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
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
August 25	Battle of Ream’s Station
October	Colonel Parham never really recovered from his wound at Malvern Hill, and was forced to leave service in the field to become Provost Marshall at Richmond. Lieutenant Colonel Minetree had returned from convalescing from his Wilderness wound and took command.
October 27	Battle of Boyden Plank Road
December	Warren’s Raid
1865
October	Colonel Parham briefly returned to command but died shortly afterwards of complcations from his wound at Malvern Hill.
February 6	Battle of Hatcher’s Run The regiment attacked near Dabney’s Stream Saw Mill.
April	Appomattox Campaign
April 9	Appomattox Court House The 16th Virginia Infantry Regiment surrendered 10 officers and 99 enlisted men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Minetree.

Seven Days Battles

Malvern Hill

Battle of Boyden Plank Road

Appomattox Campaign