Virginia 50th Infantry Regiment


Historical Notes:
The Virginia 50th Infantry Regiment was organized in July, 1861, with ten companies and three companies of cavalry temporarily attached. During September one of the cavalry companies was disabled and the other two transferred to the 8th Regiment Virginia Cavalry. The unit was reorganized in May, 1862, with nine companies. It moved to Tennessee and in February, 1862, was captured at Fort Donelson. After being exchanged, it participated in numerous conflicts from Chancellorsville to Cold Harbor, moved with Early to the Shenandoah Valley, and fought its last battle at Waynesborough. The regiment reported 10 killed and 40 wounded at Fort Donelson, and there were 8 killed and 110 wounded at Chancellorsville. More than forty percent of the 240 engaged at Gettysburg were disabled, and it sustained heavy casualties in the fight at The Wilderness. During April, 1865, it disbanded. Officers:
The field officers were Colonels Thomas Poage, Alexander M. Reynolds, and A.S. Vandeventer; Lieutenant Colonels William W. Finney and Logan H. N. Salyer; and Majors Lynville J. Perkins and C.E. Thorburn. Assignments:
Assigned to the Department of Western Virginia and fought at Carnifax Ferry. Later the 50th served in J.M. Jones', G.C. Wharton's, and Forsberg's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. Battles:
  • Battle of Carnifex Ferry
  • Battle of Fort Donelson
  • Battle of Charleston (1862)
  • Battle of Chancellorsville
  • Battle of Gettysburg
  • Battle of the Wilderness
  • Battle of Cold Harbor
  • Valley Campaigns of 1864
  • Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia
    • Rosters:
    The roster of this unit contains the names of 1757 men.

  • Company A (Lee Rifles) - Lee County and Scott County
  • Company B (no nickname) - Lee County
  • Company C ( no nickname) - Tazewell County
  • Company D (Wilson Rifles) (Grayson Hornets) - Grayson County, Ashe County, N. C.
  • Company E ( Smyth Grays) - Smyth County
  • Company F.( Pedlar Mills Guard) - Amherst County
  • Company G (1st) ( Floyd Blues) - Washington County
  • Company G (2nd) (no nickname) - Lee County
  • Company H ( Wise Yankee Catchers) - Wise County. Page 113, History of Patrick County, Virginia FS Catalog book 975.5695 H2h Patrick County states "One of the largest groups of men from Patrick County served in Company H or K of the 50th Regiment of Volunteer Infantry."
  • Company I ( no nickname) - Pulaski and Carroll Counties
  • Company K (Patrick Boys) - Patrick County
  • Company L (no nickname) Smyth County
    • Bibliography for Research:








    For Additional Research