6th Virginia Infantry Regiment

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Virginia

1861
May The 6th Virginia Infantry Regiment was organized at Norfolk, Virginia under the command of Colonel William Mahone and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Corprew. The regiment was recruited from Norfolk and Princess Anne, Nansemond, and Chesterfield counties and was assigned to the Department of Norfolk.
November Colonel Mahone was promoted to brigadier general. Lieutenant Colonel Corprew took command of the regiment.
December 16 Lieutenant Colonel Corprew was promoted to colonel.
1862
January
Currituck Bridge

Colonel Corprew was sent with five companies to Currituck Bridge to assist the retreat of General Wise’s troops.
May Construction of the defenses of Richmond on the James River around Drewry’s Bluff. Colonel Corprew was dropped during the army reorganization and Colonel George T. Rogers became colonel.
 June Assigned to Mahone’s Brigade, Huger’s Division. The 6th Virginia mustered 673 men.
June 25 – July 1
Seven Days Battles
July 1
Malvern Hill

The 6th Virginia lost 10 men killed, 33 wounded an 8 missing.
July 14 The 6th Virginia was assigned to Mahone’s Brigade, Anderson’s Division, Longstreet’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia.
August 29-30
Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The regiment lost 12 men killed and 49 wounded. Brigadier General Mahone was wounded commanding the brigade.
September 14
Battle of South Mountain

The regiment fought at Crampton’s Gap under the command of Captain John R. Ludlow of Company D as senior officer present.
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) 

The badly depleted regiment was still under the command of Captain Ludlow, probably with around 100 men on the field,
 December 13
Battle of Fredericksburg
1863
May 1-6
Battle of Chancellorsville 

Commanded by Colonel George T. Rogers.
July 2-3
Battle of 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-November
Bristoe Campaign
November 27-
December 2
Mine Run Campaign
1864
May 5-6
Battle of the Wilderness 
May 8-21
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House 
May 31-June 12
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
June 30
Battle of the Crater

The 6th Virginia had half its men on picket duty when the Union attack occurred, and they were left behind when Mahone’s Division moved to counter the Union assault. As a result only 95 men from the regiment were engaged, of whom 80 became casualties. 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

Colonel George T. Rogers commanded the 6th Virginia.
October 27
Battle of Boyden Plank Road

The 6th Virginia was flanked and trapped, losing as prisoners the most men of any battle in which it was engaged.
December Warren’s Raid
1865
February 6
Battle of Hatcher’s Run

The regiment attacked near Dabney’s Stream Saw Mill.
April Retreat from Petersburg
April 9
Appomattox Court House

The 6th Virginia Infantry Regiment surrendered 110 men.