During the War Between the States, close to 2,000 men served in the ranks of the 9th Virginia Infantry.  Many of these men enlisted because they wanted adventure, something to do, the ability to take pride in and prove that they were worth something.  Most of these men were farmers, while others made their living from the sea as watermen, or from the neighboring shipyards.

At the start of the war, many men made their way into Norfolk from the surrounding areas.  Norfolk was one of two major ports for Virginia with Portsmouth, right across the Elizabeth River being the other and also the home of the Gosport Navy Yard. Today, the Tidewater area is not only home to Norfolk Naval Base and the Norfolk Amphibious Base, but to the Newport  News Shipyard as well as the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.  These men were formed into units to protect the towns and cities they hailed from, thus the 9th Virginia Infantry Regiment was born.  In July of 1861, ten companies were assembled to form this regiment.  Eight of the ten companies came from the southeastern area of the state, with the exception of Company A, called "The Salem Flying Artillery" and Company B, " The Baltimore Artillery".  Most of these units had made the attempt to form an artillery regiment under the command of Col. George W. Richardson and were stationed around the various defenses around the Norfolk and Portsmouth harbors, both as heavy artillery and infantry.

The first commander of the 9th Virginia was Colonel Francis Henry Smith of Norfolk, Virginia.  He was appointed July 7, 1861.  Not only was he a graduate of West Point, he was also the first  superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).  Subsequent commanders of the 9th Virginia were Col. David Jeremiah Godwin (1862) who was wounded and later reassigned; Lt. Col. James Skelton Gilliam (1862-1863); Col. James Jasper Phillips (1863-1865), captured on April 6; and Capt. John Parke Wilson, Jr., commanding at Appomattox.

During the first year of fighting, the 9th Virginia was mostly by itself.  Due to the dispersement of the troops in the many Tidewater area coastal forts and defenses, this regiment could not drill as other regiments did in the Confederate Army.  Thus they spent the first year of the war defending these fortifications from possible attacks.  In 1862 the men of the 9th Virginia were first hand witnesses to the new era of ironclad warships.  On March 9, they watched as the C.S.S. Virginia, built by the Confederates on the hull of the former U.S. Navy frigate U.S.S. Merrimack battle with the brand new Federal turret ship U.S.S. Monitor.  For more than two hours these metal titans wrestled for control of Hampton Roads, with the battle basically ending in a draw.  At least seven former members of the 9th Virginia served on board the C.S.S. Virginia:

On June 1, 1862 the 9th Virginia joined the ranks of Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead's Brigade, of  Maj. Gen. Benjamin  F. Huger's Division.  At this time, the brigade consisted of the 9th, 14th and 53rd Virginia regiments, along with the 5th Virginia Battalion.  The 38th and 57th Virginia regiments would join the brigade later that summer.  General Armistead had received a Major's commission in the 57th  Virginia Infantry, later becoming it's Colonel and subsequently was promoted to Brigadier General.

When Huger was transferred to the Department of the Trans-Mississippi after the Seven Days Battle in June and July 1862,  Armistead's Brigade briefly came under the command of Major General A. P. Hill's Division, but was only with the command 9 days when Major General Richard H. Anderson was called on to replace Huger, and the brigade returned to what was now Anderson's Division.

The 9th Virginia fought in the Battle of Seven Pines, The Seven Days Battle,  Malvern Hill, 2nd  Manassas, and Sharpsburg.  After the Battle of Sharpsburg, where Armistead and Anderson were wounded, General Lee promoted Brigadier General George E. Pickett to Major General and formed a new division.  This new division of Major General Pickett consisted of the brigades of Brigadier Generals Roger Pryor, Lewis Armistead, Micah Jenkins, and James L. Kemper.  The 9th  then fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg in the winter of 1862.

In the Spring of 1863, two of Lt. General James Longstreet's divisions were held in defense of Richmond, while Pickett's Division marched southeast for Suffolk, home for many of the men of the 9th Virginia.  Although no major engagement ensued at Suffolk, constant skirmishes broke out between the men of Pickett's division and the Union pickets.  During the siege of Suffolk, Pickett's Division was able to restore needed food supplies, stockpiling barrels of fish, bacon and other need items.  During this time, Lee had defeated the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Chancellorsville, but at a cost from which many believed they would never recover.  For, during this battle, Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was shot under friendly fire, and later died from the complications of this wounding.

On June 8, 1863 , the Army of Northern Virginia once again started for northern territory.  The main objective was to have the Army of the Potomac to follow, and then on ground and terms of its choosing, the Army of Northern Virginia would then strike and crush the Army of the Potomac.  The 9th  Virginia soon reached the Potomac River and crossed over into Maryland near Williamsport.

They then marched into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, finally stopping at Chambersburg. Pickett's Division was at the rear of General Longstreet's Corps.  At this time, they were kept occupied by destroying the railways of the Cumberland Valley Railroad.  But on July 1, 1863, Pickett's Division was called to the front lines.  The division broke camp in the early morning
hours of the July 2, 1863, and marched into Gettysburg taking a position behind Seminary Ridge.
General Lee was confident of his plan of attack for July 3, 1863, on the theory that the Union had fortified its flanks and would be weakest in the center of the line.  Col. E. Porter Alexander was to have every available piece of 1st and 3rd Corps artillery aim and destroy the Union center.  Then, after the Federal artillery had been weakened or destroyed, three divisions of infantry would converge at a clump of trees near what came to be called "The Angle" where a stonewall made a 90-degree turn to the west, breaking the Union center.

Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead ordered his brigade to attention and took the lead in front of his brigade and proceeded as ordered across the field in what was to be eternally known as "Pickett's Charge."  This charge ultimately destroyed the 9th Virginia ..... Major Owens was killed as were many other officers and men of the 9th.  General Armistead was shot down, capturing for a brief moment, Cushing's Federal battery.  He was later taken behind the lines to the 11th Corps Field Hospital at the George Spangler Farm where he died two days later on July 5, 1863.  It is said the 9th went in with more than 300 men, and suffered casualties of about 180 men.

Pickett's Division began the long journey home with the Army of Northern Virginia, guarding prisoners on the retreat.  Col. William R. Aylett of the 53rd  Virginia Infantry led the brigade back home to Virginia.  In the fall of 1863, General Pickett took command of the Department of North Carolina, and the 9th Virginia soon followed going to Ivor Station.  Pickett stayed on a few days in the tidewater region before returning to Petersburg and ultimately headed for Kingston, North Carolina.

Brig. General Seth Barton succeeded Armistead as the brigade commander in October, 1863.  He was from Virginia and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Class of 1849.  He had served as an engineering officer under Stonewall Jackson and on March 11, 1862 became a Brigadier General.  He served in Vicksburg and was captured and exchanged ... thus coming back to his
home state of Virginia.

In January 1864, the 9th Virginia left its winter quarters and marched for New Bern, North Carolina.  General Pickett, who was in Richmond, traveled down to direct the movement of his troops.  General Pickett ordered Barton to capture the South Bank of the Trent River in order to keep the Union troops from arriving and reinforcing the Federal breastworks.  But instead, after a reconnaissance of the area, Barton concluded that the enemy was too well entrenched and he canceled the attack.  Pickett was infuriated and argued bitterly in his reports to Richmond.  Shortly after this, the 9th Virginia was recalled back to Richmond.

In May, 1864, Barton's Brigade encountered Federal troops near Chester Station, Virginia, but the ensuing maneuvers resulted in the two charging lines of the brigade to become open and the Federals reinforced their front lines, attempting to flank the brigade.  Barton's performance for the day ensued the anger of Major General Robert Ransom, and General Barton was replaced by Col. Birkett D. Fry.

Shortly thereafter, the 9th Virginia joined the main body of Lee's Army to counter any movements by the newly appointed Federal Commander, Ulysses S. Grant.  The 9th encounter the Federal pickets and skirmished repeatedly with them at Cold Harbor.  The unit them proceeded on to Richmond, near the Petersburg Turnpike where they confronted Federal forces entrenched in the abandoned breastworks of Bushrod Johnson's forces.  The Virginians charged and were successful in regaining the trenches.  But Grant forces pinned Lee's Army in the Richmond/Petersburg fortifications and the 9th remained in and around Richmond for the remainder of 1864.  Col. Aylett replaced Fry as the Brigade Commander and yet another change of command took place with the Brigade coming under the leadership of General George H. Steuart.  Steuart was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy.

1865 would see the decline of the Army of Northern Virginia.  The winter months had taken it's toll on the men, many of whom deserted.  Those that remained were poorly clothed and fed.  In March of 1865, the 9th Virginia headed for Farmville to block movements by Sheridan's cavalry.  But the Calvary never materialized and the 9th headed back to Richmond.  In the latter part of March, Steuart assumed command of Pickett's Division, with General Pickett commanding a larger force of artillery, Calvary and infantry, which included his old division.  The division then left Richmond, once again in search of Sheridan's Calvary and on March 30th reached Five Forks.

General Lee instructed Pickett to hold Five Forks at all costs...... and the resulting Battle of Five Forks was the end for the men of the 9th Virginia.  The men did all they could, but the superior
forces and firepower of the Federal Army was too much.  They battled until they were completely surrounded and only a handful of men were able to escape.  What was left of the 9thVirginia retreated towards the Appomattox River and Amelia Courthouse.  On April 6th the men took one last stand at Marshall's Crossroads and most all of the remaining members of the 9thVirginia were captured by the Federal forces.  Those that managed to escape made their way to Appomattox Courthouse with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia and surrendered there on April 9th with the ranking officer of the unit being Capt. John Parke Wilson, Jr.

Company A (1st ):
"The Salem Flying Artillery" was formed in southwestern Virginia in Roanoke County, Virginia,  having been organized on January 30, 1860, and on May 14, 1861 came into the service of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  This unit traveled from Lynchburg, Virginia and was put under the command of Col. George W. Richardson.  On May 8, 1862, the company was reorganized and served in Capt. Charles B. Griffin's Battery of the Virginia Light Artillery under Capt. Abraham Hupp at Craney Island (in Norfolk).

Its captain was: Abraham Hupp, enlisted on May 14, 1861 at Salem, Virginia.

Company A (2nd) :
The Confederate Guard was formed in Petersburg, Virginia on March 14, 1862 for the duration of the War.  This unit was formerly Captain Frank M. Wright's Company Virginia Infantry.  It was assigned to the 9th Virginia under S.O. Number 283, A&IGO that was dated on November 28, 1863.

Roster of Company A (Under Construction)

It captains were: 

John D. Myrick, who enlisted on June 5, 1861 at Norfolk, Virginia.  He served as Captain until May of 1862.

John R. Parker who enlisted on May 7, 1861 in Southampton County, Virginia  and resigned on January 30, 1863 under the charges of disobedience. 

John P. Wilson, Jr., enlisted on April 29, 1861 at Guinea Station and served in the 5th Virginia Infantry Battalion and also Company I of the 13th Virginia Infantry.  He was a graduate of VMI, Class of 1855.

Roster of Company B: (Under Construction)

Captains of Company C were:

Joseph T. Mason , who enlisted on May 27, 1861, at Chesterfield Court House and was discharged on August 22, 1862, due to reasons of his health.

John M. Gregory, who also enlisted on May 27, 1861.  He was promoted to Captain on August 22, 1862.  He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg on  July 3, 1863 and died on November 21, 1863, on Johnson's Island.  He is buried in the Confederate Cemetery near Sandusky, Ohio. 

Henry Clay Britton enlisted May 27, 1861 at the Chesterfield Court House.  He was wounded at Malvern Hill in 1862 and was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3rd.  He also was sent to Johnson Island, but was exchanged on March 17, 1864.  He was again captured at the Battle of Five Forks on April 1, 1865, and once again sent to Johnson Island, where he was released on June 18, 1865.

Roster of Company C: (Under Construction)

The company captain was:

William J. Richardson who enlisted on April 27, 1861 at Portsmouth Hospital.  He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3rd and sent to Johnson Island where he was paroled on April 27, 1865.

Roster of Company D: (Under Construction)

Its captains were:

Henry P. Howell, enlisted at Smithfield, Virginia on May 27, 1861 and resigned on November 28, 1861.

Archibald Duck who was promoted to Captain from 1st Lt. on Dec 21, 1861, and resigned in the spring of 1862.

John W. Shivers who enlisted at Ft. Boykin in Isle of Wright County in January, 1862; he was court-martialed January 6, 1864 and reduced to the rank of private.

Lenius Barton Edwards enlisted on January 14, 1862 at Fort Boykin in Isle of Wright County.  He was captured on April 1, 1865 at Dinwiddie Court House and sent to Johnson Island.

Roster of Company E: (Under Construction)

Its captains were:

James J. Phillips enlisted on May 18, 1861 at Chuckatuck in Nansemond County, Virginia; a graduate of VMI, Class of 1853,  he was promoted to colonel. on July 4, 1863,  captured on April 6, 1865 at the Battle of Saylor's Creek, and released from Johnson Island on July 25, 1865.

Henry Gwynn also enlisted at Chuckatuck, Virginia on May 18, 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines, captured at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, and was sent to Johnson Island. He was later paroled from Point Lookout, Maryland, on June 22, 1865.

Roster of Company F: (Under Construction)

The company's captains were:

John C. Owens, who enlisted at Portsmouth on April 20, 1861; he was wounded on July 3, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg and died of his wounds the next day.  He was buried across from Breams Mill in Gettysburg and it is believed that his body may have been exhumed and moved to another location.

Lemuel Taylor Cleeves, who enlisted on April 20, 1861 in Portsmouth, Virginia;  he was hospitalized in June, 1864 with hemorrhaging and dysentery and was furloughed .  He retired on Feb 23, 1865 and served the remainder of the War in the Invalid Corps of the Naval Department.  He was paroled on April 25, 1865 and died in 1868 in Portsmouth.

Roster of Company G: (Under Construction)

The company's captains were:

Robert Nathaniel Neblett enlisted on June 11, 1861 at Fletcher's Chapel in Lunenburg County; when the Company was transferred to the 28th  Virginia Infantry he resigned on July 16, 1862.

Joseph W. Ellis enlisted at Fletcher's Chapel on June 11, 1861.

Roster of Company H: (Under Construction)

The company's captains were:

John T. Kilby who enlisted on May 15, 1861 and was transferred as a surgeon on October 2, 1861.

Jules O. B. Crocker enlisted on May 15, 1861 at Churchland in Norfolk County, and was promoted to Captain from 1st Lt. on October 2, 1861; he was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, and sent to Johnson's Island, Pt. Lookout, Morris Island, S.C., Ft. Delaware, Ft. Pulaski, Ga.  He was sent from Ft. Delaware to Hilton Head, S.C. and was part of the Immortal 600.

Roster of Company I: (Under Construction)

Signal Corps Association Reenactors' Division

Its captains were:

Edward Kearns enlisted on April 20, 1861 at Portsmouth, Virginia;  he became sick in October of 1861 and was dropped from the rolls on May 8, 1862. 

Dennis Vermillion died in July, 1862, his death was  reported in the Richmond Daily Dispatch on July 5, 1862.

Henry A. Allen enlisted also at Portsmouth and was promoted to Captain on July 1, 1862; he was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, was sent to Johnson's Island and was a member of the Immortal 600;  his incarceration continued at Ft. Pulaski, on Morris Island and Hilton Head, S.C. where he was released from Ft. Delaware on June 19, 1865.

Roster of Company K: (Under Construction)