Confederate Regiments & Batteries > Virginia
The 51st Virginia Infantry Regiment was formed at Wytheville in western Virginia in 1861 and was mostly captured or dispersed in March of 1865 with the destruction of Early’s Army of the Valley, although a small detachment escaped to join Lee around Petersburg.
|
1861
|
|
| August | Eleven companies were recruited in Wythe, Nelson, Bland, Floyd, and Grayson counties and organized at Wytheville for one year’s service. They were under the command of Colonel Gabriel C. Wharton (VMI Class of 1847) and Lieutenant Colonel James W. Massie. |
| August-December | Assigned to the Army of the Kanawha |
| September 10 |
Gauley River |
| September 11 |
Carnifax Ferry |
| December 13 |
Buffalo Mountain |
|
1862
|
|
| January | Assign to Floyd’s Division, Central Army of Kentucky, Department #2 |
| January 15 | Company L was transferred to the 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion as its Company D |
| February 12-16 |
Fort DonelsonThe regiment lost 9 men killed, 43 wounded, and 5 missing. The regiment was one of two that escaped from the surrender of the fort’s garrison with General Floyd when he took the last steamboat out. |
| February 18 | Lewisburg and Clarksville |
| February-May | Assigned to Wharton’s Brigade, Army of the Kanawha |
| May 17 | Mercer and Princeton |
| May 26 | The regiment was reorganized. Lieutenant Colonel Massie resigned and Augustus Forsberg was elected lieutenant colonel. |
| May-September | Assigned to Wharton’s Brigade, Army of the Kanawha, Department of Southwestern Virginia. Colonel Wharton commanded the brigade, while Lieutenant Colonel Forsberg took command of the regiment. |
| August 28 | Lewisburg |
| September | Kanawha Campaign |
| September 10 |
FayettevilleThe regiment lost 3 men killed and 16 wounded. |
| September 25 | Charleston |
|
1863
|
|
| February | Assigned to Wharton’s Brigade, Department of Western Virginia |
| April 15 | Pikeville, Kentucky |
| July 8 | Colonel Wharton was promoted to brigadier general and Lieutenant Colonel Forsberg was promoted to colonel. |
| September-November |
Siege of Chattanooga |
| November | Assigned to Wharton’s Brigade, Ransom’s Division, Department of East Tennessee |
| November-December |
Siege of Knoxville |
|
1864
|
|
| February 1 | Knoxville |
| March | Assigned to Wharton’s Brigade, Department of Western Virginia |
| April 23 | Captain William A. Yonce of Company C was promoted to major |
| May 15 |
Battle of New MarketCaptain William Hanson Tate of Company B was killed. |
| May 22 |
Battle of North Anna |
| May 30 |
Battle of Totopotomoy Creek |
| June 1-3 |
Battle of Cold Harbor |
| June |
Lynchburg CampaignAssigned to Wharton’s – Forsberg’s Brigade, Breckinridge’s – Wharton’s Division, Army of the Valley |
| July 7-8 | Frederick, Maryland |
| July 9 |
Battle of Monocacy |
| July 11 |
Fort Stevens |
| July 13 | Rockville |
| July 24 |
Second Battle of Kernstown |
| August 17 | Winchester |
| September 19 |
Third Battle of Winchester |
| September 22 |
Battle of Fisher’s Hill |
| September 23 | Harrisonburg |
| September 26 | Brown’s Gap |
| October 19 |
Battle of Cedar Creek |
| December 1 | Leetown |
|
1865
|
|
| January 7 | Fisherville |
| March 2 |
Battle of WaynesboroThe survivors of Early’s Army of the Valley were captured or dispersed . A small detachment of the regiment escaped. It made its way to Lee’s army around Richmond and Petersburg and was attached to Gordon’s division. |
| March 3 | Ivory Creek |
| March 6 | Charlottesville |
| March 25 |
Fort Stedman (detachment)The battle flag of the regiment was captured. |
| March 27 | Union Furnace (detachment) |