Historical Notes:
In May 1861, Major William N. Ward raised a unit known as 'Essex and Middlesex Battalion,' one company of which, the 'Essex Sharp Shooters' had been in existence since the summer of 1860 as a volunteer company. It received the formal designation '55th Virginia Infantry' in September 1861 when Colonel Francis M. Mallory took command. It eventually became part of A.P. Hill's Light Division. In total, 1,321 men appeared on the muster rolls; of these, 1,181 saw active service with the regiment. Of the latter, 108 were killed in action and 198 died of disease. The regiment was made up of 12 companies from Essex, Middlesex, Lancaster, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland counties, although never more than 11 companies served together at one time.
Officers:
Colonels William S. Christian and Francis Mallory; Lieutenant Colonels Robert H. Archer and Evan Rice; and Majors Thomas M. Burke, Robert B. Fauntleroy, Charles N. Lawson, Andrew D. Saunders, and William N. Ward
Assignments: Battles:
Seven Days' Battles
Second Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Antietam
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Gettysburg
Overland Campaign
Siege of Petersburg
Appomattox Campaign
Rosters:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 2178 men.
Company A (Essex Artillery) - Essex County
Company B (Middlesex Artillery) - Middlesex County
Company C (Middlesex Southerners) - Middlesex County
Company D (Essex Davis Rifles) - Essex County
Company E (Westmoreland Greys) - Westmoreland County
Historical Notes: