The Virginia 38th Infantry Regiment was organized in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in June, 1861. Its members were recruited in Pittsylvania, Halifax, and Mechlenburg counties. It served under the command of Generals Early, Garland, Armistead, Barton, and Steuart. The 38th participated in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Gettysburg, then served in North Carolina. Later it was attached to the Department of Richmond, fought at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor, endured the hardships of the Petersburg trenches, and ended the war at Appomattox. The regiment totalled 544 effectives in April, 1862, and sustained 9 casualties at Williamsburg, 147 at Seven Pines, 94 at Malvern Hill, and 16 in the Maryland Campaign. More than fifty-five percent of the 400 engaged at Gettysburg were disabled and it reported 11 killed, 30 wounded, and 10 missing at Drewry's Bluff. The unit surrendered 12 officers and 82 men.
FIELD OFFICERS:
Colonels Joseph R. Cabell, Edward C. Edmonds, George K. Griggs, and Powhatan B. Whittle; Lieutenant Colonel George A. Martin; and Majors Isaac H. Carrington and Henderson L. Lee.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Command of Generals Early, Garland, Armistead, Barton, and Steuart
BATTLES:
Peninsula Campaign
Seven Days' Battles
Second Battle of Manassas
Battle of Antietam
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Cold Harbor
Siege of Petersburg
Appomattox Campaign
ROSTERS:
The rosters of this unit contains the names of 2215 men.
Company A - Pittsylvania County
Company B ( Pittsylvania Vindicators) - Pittsylvania County
Company C ( Laurel Grove Riflemen) - Pittsylvania County
Company D ( Whitmell Guards) - Pittsylvania County
Company E ( Cabell Guards) - Pittsylvania County
Company F ( Davis Rifle Guards) - Halifax County
Company G ( Mecklenburg Rifles) - Mecklenburg County
Company H ( Secession Guards) - Pittsylvania County
lst Company I ( Confederate Guards) - Mecklenburg County
2nd Company I (St. Brides Artillery) - Norfolk County
Company K ( The Cascade Rifles) - Pittsylvania County
REFERENCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_Virginia_Infantry
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:38th_Virginia_Infantry
%2C_CSA_US_Civil_War - Website dedicated to this unit
Bibliography for Research:
HISTORICAL NOTES: