Military Organizations in Richmond Virginia ca. Spring 1861

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

From the Richmond Enquirer, 4/27/1861, p. 2, c. 3

CAMP OF INSTRUCTION AT THE CENTRAL FAIR GROUNDS.
The following companies are stationed at the Fair Grounds:

Lexington Cadets, 175 men, commanded by Maj. Colston, and armed with the smoothbore percussion musket.

Company A, 83d Regiment, 100 men, commanded by Capt. Atkinson, armed with the percussion musket.

Hanover Grays, 44 men, commanded by Capt. Talley, armed with the percussion musket.

Paineville Rifles, 87 men, Capt. Miller, armed with the percussion musket.

Ashland Grays, 53 men, Capt. Tucker, armed with the percussion musket.

Henrico Southern Guard, 67 men, Captain Childrey, armed with the percussion musket.

Patrick Henry Rifles, 57 men, Capt. Dabney, armed with the percussion musket.

Company A, Danville Battalion, 77 men, Capt. Claiborne, armed with the percussion musket.

The above companies constitute the 1st Battalion of Volunteers, under command of Maj. Withers, of the Danville Battalion; Lieut. Edwards, Acting Adjutant.

SECOND BATTALION OF VOLUNTEERS.

Company A, 17th Regiment of Volunteers, 60 men, Capt. Harrison, armed with the Minnie musket.

Nottoway Grays, 65 men, Capt. Connally, armed with the Minnie musket.

Nottoway Rifle Guard, 51 men, Captain Owen, armed with the Minnie musket.

Surgeon, Dr. Blackburn. No Major has yet been appointed to this Battalion.

CAVALRY.
Company B., Chesterfield Cavalry, 61 men, Captain Ball. Armed with U. S. sabers and pistols.

FIELD AND STAFF.
The following are the officers at the camp of instruction:
Colonel Gilham, Colonel commanding.
Major Madison, Surgeon.
Lieut. Page, Assistant Surgeon.
Captain Ship, Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. Cunningham, Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. Poyner, Assistant Quartermaster.
The enthusiasm which pervades the rank and file of all these companies, is very great. All are desirous of receiving orders for an immediate march. Many of these companies are well drilled and perfectly efficient; some of them seem as if a bullet would have little effect in stopping them, if once ordered to “charge.”

From Richmond Dispatch, 4/26/1861, p. 2

WANTED – DRUMMER. – Company B, Lieut. D. G. McINTOSH, First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, wish to employ a KETTLE DRUMMER. Apply at their quarters, at the New Poor House Building, north end of 3d street.

From the Richmond Dispatch, 4/24/1861, p. 1

The Custom-House of the late United States has been converted into a stopping place for Virginia troops, numbers of whom now bivouac within its walls.

From the Richmond Dispatch, 4/24/1861, p. 2

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS,
ADJ’T GENERAL’S OFFICE,
April 23, 1861.
VOLUNTEER COMPANIES, now in Richmond, or on their way to this point, will proceed at once to the Camp of Instruction, at the Hermitage Fair Grounds. The Captains will report in person to Lieut. CUNNINGHAM, Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
By command.
WM. H. RICHARDSON, Adj’t

From the Richmond Dispatch, 4/24/1861, p. 2

THE CITIZENS OF HENRICO who are by age or otherwise exempt from military service, residing contiguous to Mechanicsville Road, from Venable street to the Toll-Gate, and its vicinity, are most earnestly solicited to meet in HOWARD’S GROVE to-day, (WEDNESDAY,) at 5 o’clock P. M., for instant action, to make safe our homes and prepare for any emergency.

From the Richmond Dispatch, 5/10/1861

PERSONS DESIROUS of joining a new Volunteer Company are requested to meet at SPRINGFIELD HALL, Union Hill, on SATURDAY EVENING next, at 8 o’clock, promptly.
Uniforms furnished FREE.

[Progressive88]

Re: Military Organizations in Richmond Virginia ca. Spring 1861

Awesome find!

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Military Organizations in Richmond Virginia ca. Spring 1861

From the Richmond Dispatch, 4/22/1861, p. 1

The Excitement Yesterday. - The annals of Richmond present no parallel to the excitement that prevailed yesterday, and no sterner evidence could be furnished of the realities of warfare, except actual bloodshed, than the scenes of the Sabbath through which we have just passed. Early in the morning, armed men were hurrying to and fro, companies assembling at their various rendezvous, and the rolling drums harshly discorded with the chimes of the church bells. Men were drilling in regiments, companies and squads; and many a female face was suffused with tears, while witnessing the preparations for the departure of loved and cherished members of the domestic circle.

After most of the companies had been dismissed at noonday, the tolling of the Capitol bell announced that they were again wanted for immediate duty. A report spread over the city that a steamer, with Federal troops, was coming up the river, to seize the ammunition brought here on the evening previous, from Norfolk. In a very short time, troops were in motion, and cannon were conveyed to the wharves, with the intention, probably, of giving the mercenaries a warm reception. -- Citizens armed themselves with rifles, pistols, shot-guns, and other weapons, and hurried to the same point; but we saw no alarm on any countenance - nothing but a determination to fight, and a hope that the report would turn out to be true. The throng at Rockets swelled to thousands, while on the neighboring hills were assembled a vast multitude of ladies and children, attracted by the exciting rumors, though scarcely believing that anything like an enemy was approaching our city. The Governor rode down and gave such orders as were necessary, and steamers were held in readiness for any service required. Cavalry companies scoured the country below; the Howitzer [Richmond]corps, Company F, and A company from Manchester marched down on the opposite side of the river. The Young Guard and the Virginia Life Guard were drawn up on the wharf. Several militia companies were also in the neighborhood.

That there was good reason to apprehend something of a sanguinary character, we have no doubt. The ammunition barge was towed up in to the Dock, and the powder will be kept in a place of safety until needed. In times like these we must be prepared for any emergency, and every rumor deserves careful and considerate attention.

[Progressive88]

Re: Military Organizations in Richmond Virginia ca. Spring 1861

Are these Richmond Dispatch excerpts from your personal collection, or can they be found online? Great reading for early war information.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Military Organizations in Richmond Virginia ca. Spring 1861

David,

I wish there were from my personal collection...but they are not. The University of Richmond

The Richmond Daily Dispatch is the result of a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and collaboration between the University of Richmond, Tufts University's Perseus Project, and the Virginia Center for Digital History. There are currently 1384 issues of the paper available online, ranging in date from November 1860 through December 1865.

has transcribed significant portions of The (Richmond) Daily Dispatch: http://dlxs.richmond.edu/d/ddr/

The Daily Dispatch: May 23, 1861

First RegimentN. C. Volunteers.
--Seven hundred men, the balance of the First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, part of which has been encamped for several days at Howard's Grove, arrived in Richmond via Petersburg Railroad, at 11 o'clockTuesdaynight, and proceeded immediately to camp. The South need not wish to have a better armed or more determined set of men than these from the Old North State. The following is a list of the regimental and company officers;--D. H. Hill, Colonel Commanding; C. C. Lee, Lieut. Colonel;--Lane, Major. J. L. Bridges, Edgecomb, Captain Edgecomb Guards; W. I. Hoke, Southern Star, Lincoln county; L. S. Williams, Captain Hornet's Nest Rifles;--Bell, Captain Enfield Blues; W. W. McDowell, Captain Buncombe Rifles; C. M. Avery, Captain Burke Rifles;--Ross, Captain Charlotte Greys; Richard Ashe, Captain Craig Light Infantry; Wright Huske, Captain L. F. Light Infantry, Fayetteville; J. B. Starr, Captain L. F. Light Infantry, Fayetteville. The Regiment, all told, numbers about 1,100 men.

The Daily Dispatch: May 15, 1861

South Carolina volunteers.
The Brooks Guards, a very fine body of men from glorious little South Carolina, made their appearance in our midst yesterday, and were warmly welcomed, as they deserved to be. The Guards, who are fully armed and ready for instant service, number 78 men, and are commanded by Capt. A. Barnwell Rhett. They were received at the Petersburg depot by the Palmetto Guard, with their band, and escorted (after passing through various streets, where both companies received much admiration for their soldierly appearance) to the camp near the Trotting Course.

Maryland volunteers.--A meeting of the true-hearted sons of Maryland now in this city, in considerable numbers, was held at the Old Market-House yesterday at 10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of organizing a military corps for the maintenance of Southern Rights. Any further notice is done away with, on account of the requirements of the public interests.

Paul B.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Military Organizations in Richmond Virginia ca. Spring 1861

The [Richmond] Daily Dispatch: April 24, 1861.

Virginia troops.
--There are said to be not less than 3,000 troops of all arms now in the city or its environs. From the continual passing to and from of "armed men," and those waiting to assume that desirable relation, the city looks like one vast camp. The soldiers evince a readiness in responding to the call of duty worthy of all praise.

Paul B.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Military Organizations in Richmond Virginia ca. Spring 1861

Arming, feeding, transporting, clothing, and housing these men. Such a task. Such a task.

An order from the Secretary of War could be useful in time.