Short History of the
10th Virginia
Volunteer Infantry Regiment
(copyright 1993,
John P. Mann IV)
Who Were They ?
The 10th
Virginia originated as the 4th Regiment Virginia Militia in
1860. After some companies were lost and added the
regiment as finally organized consisted of seven companies from
Rockingham (B,C,D,E,G,H,I), two from Shenandoah (A,F), and one
company each from Page (K) and Madison (L) counties.
The regiment marched to the defense of
Virginia on 18 April 1861 and served until the end at Appomattox
Court House on 9 April 1865. Of the approximately 1,400 men
who served in the regiment only 45 were surrendered with some 20
actually armed and able for duty. The regiment's battle
flag was not surrendered however. The regiment's commander,
a Lieutenant, wrapped the flag around his body under his jacket
and took it home to Rockingham County. They were farmers of
the Shenandoah Valley - "Breadbasket of the
Confederacy" - called by duty to their State from their
family farms. The regiment fought in the following
engagements: Manassas No.1, McDowell, Winchester No.1, Port
Republic, Seven Days, Cedar Run, Groveton (Brawner Farm),
Manassas No.2, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,
Stephenson's Depot (Winchester No.2), Gettysburg, Mine Run, the
Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Monocacy Junction, Fort
Stevens, Winchester No.3, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Fort
Stedman, High Bridge, Farmville and Appomattox Court House.
Who Are We ?
Reactivated
The unit was originally formed in September
1976. It was organized locally in August 1991 and has been
active since. The unit is primarily a Rockingham County
unit but does have men from Augusta, Shenandoah and Orange
counties and Roanoke. The unit is active in local schools
and historical associations, and providing assistance to various
preservation organizations. In 1997, a partnership was formed
between the 10th Virginia and the Association for the
Preservation of Civil War Sites at the McDowell
Battlefield. The unit has conducted living history
demonstrations at the New Market Battlefield State Historical
Park on a continuing basis. Living history demonstrations
have also been held in Harrisonburg, Port Republic, Dayton and
Luray, Virginia to name a few. The unit has participated in many
reenactments including the major ones; 135th Sharpsburg in
Maryland and the 135th Gettysburg. The unit has participated in
Preservation Marches and parades for which it has won awards for.
The goal of the unit is the education of the
public about the men of the original 10th Virginia. This
regiment was Rockingham County's most famous infantry regiment
during the War Between the States. The reactivated unit is
a hard-core organization recreating the original circa
1862. The men are serious about interpreting the life of
the Confederate soldier. Any and all men looking to gain an
insight into the life of the Confederate soldier will be
considered for enlistment. Over the past six years, only
25% of the men contacting the unit have been 'enlisted' because
of the strict uniform, accoutrement, and bivouac
requirements. The commander stated the unit believes- 'If
they didn't have it, we don't have it'.