Virginia 15th Infantry Regiment

Historical Notes:
The 15th Virginia Infantry, initially called the 3rd Virginia Regiment, was originally formed from ten companies taken from Richmond and its surrounding area--some companies even predated the southern states' secession from the Union. The original company names were: Henrico Grays, Virginia Life Guards, Patrick Henry's Rifles, Henrico Guard, Ashland Grays, Emmett Guard, Henrico Southern Guard, Young Guard, Hanover Grays, and Marion Rifles. These companies later held alphabetical designations. (A relatively diverse "regiment," the Emmett Guard was composed largely of Irish citizens while the Marion Rifles included German citizens.) The 15th Virginia Infantry was involved in significant battles at Bethel Church, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, and Sharpsburg.

During the Gettysburg Campaign, the 15th was on detached duty, and after serving in Tennessee and North Carolina participated in the battles at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor. Later it took its place in the Petersburg trenches north and south of the James River and ended the war at Appomattox.

The 15th contained 476 effectives in April, 1862, reported 1 killed and 8 wounded at Malvern Hill, and lost fifty-nine percent of the 128 engaged at Sharpsburg. Many were captured at Sayler's Creek, and on April 9, 1865, it surrendered with 69 officers and men. Officers:
Colonel Thomas P. August; Lieutenant Colonels James R. Crenshaw, Emmett M. Morrison, Thomas G. Peyton, and St. George Tucker; and Majors C.H. Clarke and John S. Walker. Assignments:
brigaded under McLaws, Semmes, and Corse, Army of Northern Virginia. Battles:
First Manassas
Seven Days' Battles
Second Manassas
Battle of Sharpsburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
Siege of Suffolk
Battle of Cold Harbor
Siege of Petersburg
Battle of Five Forks
Battle of Sailor's Creek
Rosters:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 1437 men.

Company A ( Henrico Grays) - Henrico County
Company B ( Virginia Life Guard) - City of Richmond
Company C( Patrick Henry Rifles) - Hanover County
Company D (Henrico Guard ) - Henrico County
Company E (Ashland Grays) - Hanover County
Company F ( Emmett Guard ) - City of Richmond
Company G ( Southern Guard) -Henrico County
Company H (Young Guard) - City of Richmond
Company I (Hanover Grays) - Hanover County
Company K (Marion Rifles) - City of Richmond
Bibliography for Research: