John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch And Roster Of The Virginia 18th Infantry Regiment John C Rigdon

The Virginia 18th Infantry Regiment completed its organization in May 1861. Its members were recruited at Danville and Farmville, and in the counties of Nottoway, Cumberland, Prince Edward, Appomattox, Pittsylvania, and Charlotte. The unit fought at First Manassas under General Cocke, then was assigned to General Pickett's, Garnett's and Hunton's Brigade. It participated in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Gettysburg except when it was detached to Suffolk with Longstreet. Later it served in North Carolina, returned to Virginia, and took an active part in the battles at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor. The 18th endured the hardships of the Petersburg trenches north of the James River and saw action around Appomattox. It lost 6 killed and 13 wounded at First Manassas and in April 1862 had 700 men fit for duty. The unit reported 206 casualties during the Seven Days' Battles, and of the 120 engaged in the Maryland Campaign, thirty-six percent were disabled. In the fight at Gettysburg more than seventy-five percent of the 312 in action were killed, wounded, or missing. Many were captured at Sayler's Creek and only 2 officers and 32 men surrendered. Company A (Danville Blues) - Danville Virginia Company B (Danville Grays) - Danville, Virginia Company C (Nottoway Rifle Guards) - Nottoway County Company D (Prospect Rifle Grays) - Prince Edward County Company E (Black Eagle Rifles) - Cumberland County Company F (Farmville Guard) - Farmville, Virginia (Prince Edward and Cumberland Counties) Company G (Nottoway Grays) - Nottoway County Company H (Appomattox Grays) - Appomattox County Company I (Spring Garden Blues) - Pittsylvania County Company K (Charlotte Rifles) - Charlotte County