The Original First Virginia Battalion
The Cornfield at Sharpsburg Battlefield. In this area along the Hagerstown Turnpike the Irish Battalion battled advancing Union troop in the early morning hours of Sept. 17, 1862.
The First Virginia Battalion
was organized into Virginia State service in May, 1861 with five
companies. It was mustered in Confederate service on June 30.
1861. All five companies enlisted for three years. Because of the
large number of Irish immigrants enrolled in the organization the
unit was soon nicknamed the "Irish Battalion" It is
interesting to note the Battalion was organized as Virginia
Regular Troops and not as volunteers, meaning the unit was to
remain in service as active troops after the war. The 1st
Battalion represents the only Virginis troops designated at
"regulars" during the Civil War. After organization in
Richmond, the Battalion was placed under General William
Lorning's command on the "Huntersville Line" in the
Allegheny Mountains of Virginia and later served in the ill fated
Romney Campaign as part of General Thomas "Stonewall"
Jackson's Second Brigade. Under Jackson's command the Battalion
fought in the famous Valley Campaign of 1862 at Kernstown,
McDowell, Port Republic, and several smaller skirmishes. Moving
eastward, the Battalion fought during the Seven Days Battles at
Gains Mills and Malvern Hill. In August of 1862 the Irish
Battalion was heavily engaged at both Cedar Mountain and Second
Manassas. During Second Manassas with its ammunition exhausted,
the men of the First Virginia resisted Federal attacks by
throwing stones. A month later, the Irish Battalion was among the
first confederate troops to engage General Joe Hooker's federal
troops in the Cornfield at the Battle of Antietam. During the
Battle of Fredericksburg, the First Virginia was designated the
Provost Guard (military police) for Jackson's Second Corps. By
order of General Robert E. Lee, the First Virginia Battalion was
named Provost Guard for the Army of Northern Virginia on June 4,
1863. The Battalion served in this capacity, maintaining this
position of honor and trust, until the surrender of Lee's Army at
Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.
The wheatfield at Cedar Mountain. The Irish Battalion fought Union troops in this area of the battlefield on August 9, 1862
Assignments
Battles