8th Battalion, Virginia Reserves (1st Battalion, Valley Reserves)
Historical Notes:
The 8th Battalion, Virginia Reserves included companies from Page, Rockbridge, Shenandoah, and Warren counties. Many of the men were overage or young boys. On May 28, 1864, in Page County, two reserve companies were formed: Keyser’s Boy Company, and Company B of the 8th Battalion Virginia Reserves. ome men in the unit seem likely to have seen a small amount of service in late war.
The 8th Battalion Virginia Reserves, also known as the 1st Battalion Valley Reserves was led by Major William A.J. Miller.
Company A was organized July 19, 1864, and was commanded by Captain D. W. Ridgeway. This company was also known as the Warren Reserves. It was mustered into Confederate service at Front Royal, with Captain E.B. Powell as mustering officer.
Company B was organized May 28, 1864 and was known as the Page County Reserves.
Company C was organized May 4, 1864 and disbanded on June 25, 1864 at Brownsburg in Rockbridge County. This unit was reorganized August 1, partly mounted, and was then known as the Shenandoah Reserves. Company C was led by Captain B.K. Moore.
Company D was organized April 30, 1864, partly mounted, and was led by Captain J.M. Bushong. This company was also known as the Shenandoah Reserves.
Captain William W. Nelson, enlistment officer for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, was located at New Market, Shenandoah County in May 1864. He mustered most of the members of this battalion into service.
Company C was at Staunton on August 1, 1864. The company marched to Camp Lee, in Richmond on August 15, and to Manchester, south of the capital on the 23rd. Company C moved to Belle Isle Prison on September 14, 1864 and to the South Anna Bridge three days later. The company marched back to Manchester on September 23 and to Chaffin's Farm on the James River October 14, 1864.
Some time during the fall of 1864, the justices of Shenandoah County petitioned the War Department and President Davis to allow the reserves from Shenandoah and Page counties to return home. The purpose was to defend their homes from General Sheridan's "malignant incendiarism." Secretary of War Seddon responded November 24, 1864 to General Gilbert S. Meem:
The memorial of the justices of Shenandoah County, submitted by you to the President, has been by him referred to this Department for appropriate reply. Deepest sympathy is felt for the suffering which has been entailed on the people of Shenandoah and the adjoining counties by the savage depredations and malignant incendiarism of our enemies, and there is not wanting, on the part of the Department, an earnest desire to afford to the people of the county all the alleviations which exigencies of the service will allow.
I have had on this subject anxious conference with General Kemper and General Lee, and am compelled reluctantly to the conclusion that the reserves from Shenandoah and Page Counties, now serving in front of Richmond, cannot be relieved and sent home in this emergency. Neither can the call for those between eighteen and forty-five years of age capable of service be altogether dispensed with.
All that I can see practicable at this time is, that such of the reserves remaining at home in these counties, now being collected by Brigadier-General Lee, may be allowed to remain, and that the enrolling officers engaged in assembling those between eighteen and forty-five capable of active duty be instructed to exercise a more liberal discretion than heretofore in furloughing important mechanics and others, the necessity for whose presence is plain for the support of numerous dependents.
It is hoped the contingencies of the campaign may allow, at a latter period, more liberality in furloughing the reserves in front of this city than the exigencies of service have hitherto permitted. Should such an opportunity occur, it will be embraced with promptness, and the reserves from the counties desolated by the enemy will be specially favored.
While these indulgences may appear to the distressed community of those counties but inadequate relief, they will, it is hoped, accept them as an earnest of the sympathy and interest of the Department, and believe that more is not done only because not compatibale with the general defense and safety.
Company B’s Lt. James William Modesitt received four camp skillets and three skillets at Chaffin’s Farm (three months after the battle there), on December 18, 1864. he also requisitioned 16 jackets, 25 pairs of pants, 13 shirts, 42 pairs of drawers, 68 pairs of shoes, 31 blankets, and 21 shirts. During the 4th quarter of 1864, he requisitioned another skillet, seven fly tents, and 24 camp skillets. By February, 1865, the men who had deployed to the Richmond area, had returned to the Valley.
Officers:
Assignments:
Battles:
Staunton River Bridge
Rosters:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 332 men.
The 8th Battalion Virginia Reserves, also known as the 1st Battalion Valley Reserves was led by Major William A.J. Miller.
Company A was organized July 19, 1864, and was commanded by Captain D. W. Ridgeway. This company was also known as the Warren Reserves. It was mustered into Confederate service at Front Royal, with Captain E.B. Powell as mustering officer.
Company B was organized May 28, 1864 and was known as the Page County Reserves.
Company C was organized May 4, 1864 and disbanded on June 25, 1864 at Brownsburg in Rockbridge County. This unit was reorganized August 1, partly mounted, and was then known as the Shenandoah Reserves. Company C was led by Captain B.K. Moore.
Company D was organized April 30, 1864, partly mounted, and was led by Captain J.M. Bushong. This company was also known as the Shenandoah Reserves.
Captain William W. Nelson, enlistment officer for Virginia's 10th Congressional District, was located at New Market, Shenandoah County in May 1864. He mustered most of the members of this battalion into service.
Company C was at Staunton on August 1, 1864. The company marched to Camp Lee, in Richmond on August 15, and to Manchester, south of the capital on the 23rd. Company C moved to Belle Isle Prison on September 14, 1864 and to the South Anna Bridge three days later. The company marched back to Manchester on September 23 and to Chaffin's Farm on the James River October 14, 1864.
Some time during the fall of 1864, the justices of Shenandoah County petitioned the War Department and President Davis to allow the reserves from Shenandoah and Page counties to return home. The purpose was to defend their homes from General Sheridan's "malignant incendiarism." Secretary of War Seddon responded November 24, 1864 to General Gilbert S. Meem:
The memorial of the justices of Shenandoah County, submitted by you to the President, has been by him referred to this Department for appropriate reply. Deepest sympathy is felt for the suffering which has been entailed on the people of Shenandoah and the adjoining counties by the savage depredations and malignant incendiarism of our enemies, and there is not wanting, on the part of the Department, an earnest desire to afford to the people of the county all the alleviations which exigencies of the service will allow.
I have had on this subject anxious conference with General Kemper and General Lee, and am compelled reluctantly to the conclusion that the reserves from Shenandoah and Page Counties, now serving in front of Richmond, cannot be relieved and sent home in this emergency. Neither can the call for those between eighteen and forty-five years of age capable of service be altogether dispensed with.
All that I can see practicable at this time is, that such of the reserves remaining at home in these counties, now being collected by Brigadier-General Lee, may be allowed to remain, and that the enrolling officers engaged in assembling those between eighteen and forty-five capable of active duty be instructed to exercise a more liberal discretion than heretofore in furloughing important mechanics and others, the necessity for whose presence is plain for the support of numerous dependents.
It is hoped the contingencies of the campaign may allow, at a latter period, more liberality in furloughing the reserves in front of this city than the exigencies of service have hitherto permitted. Should such an opportunity occur, it will be embraced with promptness, and the reserves from the counties desolated by the enemy will be specially favored.
While these indulgences may appear to the distressed community of those counties but inadequate relief, they will, it is hoped, accept them as an earnest of the sympathy and interest of the Department, and believe that more is not done only because not compatibale with the general defense and safety.
Company B’s Lt. James William Modesitt received four camp skillets and three skillets at Chaffin’s Farm (three months after the battle there), on December 18, 1864. he also requisitioned 16 jackets, 25 pairs of pants, 13 shirts, 42 pairs of drawers, 68 pairs of shoes, 31 blankets, and 21 shirts. During the 4th quarter of 1864, he requisitioned another skillet, seven fly tents, and 24 camp skillets. By February, 1865, the men who had deployed to the Richmond area, had returned to the Valley.
Source:https://www.vagenweb.org/shenandoah/wars/8vares.html
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