Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, 1861

Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers

MAJOR J A WESTON
J A Weston was appointed major, Provisional Army of Virginia, on 29 May, 1861.

Company A Weston Guards: CAPT. E R Dorsey
The company was accepted in Virginia state service at Weston & Williams Store, on Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, in the morning on 16 May, 1861, and was mustered in Virginia state service for one year at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, by Colonel & Inspector General J B Baldwin, Virginia Volunteers, on 17 May, 1861. The company was assigned to the 1st Maryland Infantry, Company C (2nd), at Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and Broad Street, two and a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 16 June, 1861 (See the 1st Maryland Infantry).
Company B Independent Greys: CAPT. J L Clarke
The company was accepted in Virginia state service at Weston & Williams Store, on Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 23 May, 1861, and was mustered in Virginia state service by Colonel & Inspector General J B Baldwin, Virginia Volunteers, on 24 May, 1861. The company was assigned to the 21st Virginia Infantry, Company B, at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 1 July, 1861, and was mustered out at Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia, on 23 May, 1862.
Company C: CAPT. M S Robertson The company was accepted in Virginia state service at Weston & Williams Store, on Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 12 June, 1861, and was mustered in Virginia state service for one year at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, by Colonel & Inspector General J B Baldwin, Virginia Volunteers, on 15 June, 1861. The company was assigned to the 1st Maryland Infantry, Company I, at Fairfax Courthouse, Fairfax County, Virginia, on 21 August, 1861 (See the 1st Maryland Infantry).
Company D Maryland Guards: CAPT. W H Murray
The company was accepted in Virginia state service at Weston & Williams Store, on Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 12 June, 1861, and was mustered in Virginia state service at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, by Colonel & Inspector General J B Baldwin, Virginia Volunteers, on 18 June, 1861. The company was assigned to the 1st Maryland Infantry, Company H (2nd), at Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and Broad Street, two and a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 16 June, 1861 (See the 1st Maryland Infantry).

Sources

"A portion of the Marylanders now in this city, formerly connected with the Maryland Guards and Baltimore City Guard, met yesterday morning and effected an organisation for operations during the present war. The company formed numbers some 65 or 70 men of the most effective sort, who are eager to be at work in the good cause of redeeming Southern rights. The election for officers was held at their barracks, on Pearl street. Lieut. E. R. Dorsey, formerly of the battalion of Baltimore City Guards, was chosen Captain, S. H. Stuart, First Lieutenant, and R. Carter Smith , (late of the Maryland Guard,) Second Lieutenant. The company is tyled Company A, First Regiment Maryland Line Virginia Volunteers."

Richmond Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia), 17 May, 1861 - Old Maryland in the field

"We learn from the Richmond Whig, that the first company of the first battalion of Maryland Volunteers was organised in this city, on Thursday, by the election of E. R. Dorsey, late Lieutenant of the Baltimore City Guard, as Captain; S. H. Stewart, of the same corps, as first Lieutenant, and R. Carter Smith, of the Maryland Guard, as second Lieutenant. The company comprises about one hundred athletic young men, of each of whom it may be truthfully said, 'he's every inch a soldier.' Several other companies of Baltimoreans will be organised here."

Richmond Enquirer, Semi-weekly edition (Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia), 21 May, 1861 - The Baltimore Battalion

"By an order issued by Francis J. Thomas, Col. commanding the brigade of volunteers from Maryland, arriving in this city, will report themselves, immediately on their arrival, to Major Weston, who will take forthwith the proper steps to complete their organisation into companies. Those arriving at other points on the Potomac, will report to the senior officer from Maryland nearest to them, who will carry out the same instructions."

Richmond Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia), 27 May, 1861 - Important to Maryland Volunteers

"Company C, of the Maryland Line, organized yesterday, at the store of Messrs. Weston & Williams, by the selection of Michael S. Robertson, Captain; Hugh Mitchell, First Lieutenant; H. L. Bean, Second Lieutenant. The company is composed of natives of Southern Maryland counties. Company D, of the Maryland Line, also organized at the same place yesterday, by choosing Wm. H. Murr(a)y, Esq., Captain. Both companies are attached to Major J. A. Weston's battalion."

Richmond Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia), 13 June, 1861 - Maryland Volunteers

Books/ Manuscripts

"The Richmond Enquirer reported the arrival of the Baltimore Battalion. We learn from the Richmond Whig, that the first company of the first battalion of Maryland Volunteers was organised in this city on Thursday (15 May) by the election of E. R. Dorsey, late Lieutenant of the Baltimore City Guard, as Captain, S. H. Stewart of the same corps, as first Lieutenant, and R. Carter Smith, of the Maryland Guard, as second Lieutenant. The company comprises about one hundred athletic young men, of each of whom it might be siad, 'he's every inch a soldier'."

First and Second Maryland Infantry, C.S.A., by R J Driver, Jr.

"The regular uniform finally adopted by the Guards was that known as Zouave, or French Zouave. It was blue in colour, light in weight, loose fitting, and bright, perhaps rather brilliant, and while it might have been detracted from solidity in appearance, yet it admitted of great freedom and quickness in movement and action, features that commended themselves very highly to most men."

The Maryland Guard Battalion (Read before the Society 1o April, 1911: Maryland Historical Magazine Volume VI, June 1911, No.2: by Isaac F Nicholson, First Corporal, Maryland Guard Battalion, Company G

"On June the 14th, F Company was ordered to Richmond to join a regiment that was being formed there. The men were told it was a crack regiment; our own and a Maryland company commanded by Capt. J Lyle Clarke, then in camp Lee, were to be the nucleus, the other companies to be of the same standing."

One of Jackson's foot cavalry: His experience and what he saw during the war 1861-1865, including a history of F Company, Richmond, Va., 21st Regiment Virginia Infantry, Second Brigade, Jackson's Division, Second Corps, A. N. Va., by John H Worsham

Marylanders in the Confederacy, by Daniel D Hartzler

The Confederate Army, 1861-65 (6) Missouri, Kentucky & Maryland, by R Field and illustrated by R Hook.

Notes

Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers was accepted in Virginia state service at Weston & Williams Store, on Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, under the command of Major J A Weston, Provisional Army of Virginia, between 16 May and 12 June, 1861.

Weston & Williams Store, on Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, 16 & 23 May & 12 June, 1861: The Weston Guards was accepted in state of Virginia service for one year at Weston & Williams Store, on Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 16 May, 1861; Clarke's Company for one year on 23 May, 1861; and Robertson's and Murray's Companies for one year on 12 June, 1861.

Mustered for one year, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, 17 May-18 June, 1861: Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers, Company A, was mustered in Virginia state service for one year at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, by Colonel & Inspector General J B Baldwin, Virginia Volunteers, on 17 May, 1861; Company B for one year on 24 May, 1861; Company C for one year on 15 June, 1861; and Company D for one year on 18 June, 1861.

Richmond, Henrico County, to Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia, Companies C (2nd) & H (2nd), 29 May-6 June, 1861: The Weston Guards and Murray's Company were ordered to proceed by the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad to Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia, under the command of Colonel F J Thomas, Provisional Army of Virginia, on 29 May, 1861, and were stationed at Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia, between 29 May and 6 June, 1861. The Weston Guards and Murray's Company were ordered to proceed by the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad to Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 6 June, 1861.

Note: A detachment of Maryland Volunteers (150), under the command of Colonel F J Thomas, Maryland Volunteers, arrived at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 28 May, 1861, and was appointed colonel, Provisional Army of Virginia, on 29 May, 1861. Colonel F J Thomas, Provisional Army of Virginia, was acting chief of ordnance to General J E Johnston, Confederate States Army, on 1 July, 1861, and was killed at the first battle of Manassas on 21 July, 1861.

Special Orders No.164, Headquarters, Virginia Forces, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, 3 June, 1861: The Weston Guards and Murray's company were ordered to Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, Virginia, by Special Orders No.164, Headquarters, Virginia Forces, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 3 June, 1861.

General Orders No.25, Headquarters, Provisional Army of Virginia, 8 June, 1861: General Orders No.25, Headquarters Provisional Army of Virginia, 8 June, 1861, assigned the Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers to the Confederate States Army on 1 July, 1861.

Note: Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers, Companies A and D, were assigned to Confederate service by Special Orders No.71, Paragraph IV, Adjutant & Inspector General's Office, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 14 June, 1861, and the Weston Guards (70) was stationed at Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and Broad Street, two and a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, between 11 and 18 June, 1861.

Organisation of Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers, 18 June, 1861: Major J A Weston; Company A, Weston Guards, Captain E R Dorsey; Company B, Captain J L Clarke; Company C, Captain M S Robertson; Company D, Maryland Guards, Captain W H Murray

Note: Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers, Companies A and D, were assigned to the 1st Maryland Infantry, Companies C (2nd) and H (2nd), at Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and Broad Street, two and a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 16 June, 1861, and Major A Elzey/ Jones, Jr., artillery, Confederate States Army, was appointed colonel, 1st Maryland Infantry, at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 17 June, 1861.

Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad & Broad Street, two & a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, to Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, Companies A & D, 23-24 June, 1861: The 1st Maryland Infantry, Companies C (2nd) and H (2nd), were ordered to proceed by the Virginia Central Railroad to Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, in the morning on 23 June, 1861, and were accompanied by Colonel A Elzey/ Jones, Jr., 1st Maryland Infantry. Companies C (2nd) and H (2nd) arrived by the Manassas Gap Railroad at Strasburg, Shenandoah County, via Manassas Junction, Prince William County, Virginia, in the evening on 23 June, 1861, and were ordered to proceed by the Valley Turnpike to Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, in the morning on 24 June, 1861. The 1st Maryland Infantry, Companies C (2nd) and H (2nd), arrived at Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, at 2 PM the same day.

Note: The 1st Maryland Infantry, Companies C (2nd) and H (2nd), arrived at Camp Bee, on Apple Pie Ridge, half a mile northwest of Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, on 24 June, 1861 (See the 1st Maryland Infantry).

Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad & Broad Street, two & a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, Company B, 1 July, 1861: Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers, Company B, was assigned to the 21st Virginia Infantry, Company B, at Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and Broad Street, two and a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 1 July, 1861, and was mustered out at Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia, on 23 May, 1862.

Note: The 21st Virginia Infantry (91), Company B, under the command of Captain J L Clarke, was stationed at Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia, on 19 July, 1861.

Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad & Broad Street, two & a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, & Fairfax Station, Fairfax County, Virginia, Company C, 9 July & 21 August, 1861: The 1st Maryland Infantry, Company I, was stationed at Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and Broad Street, two and a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 30 July, 1861, and was ordered to proceed by Virginia Central Railroad to Manassas Junction, Prince William County, Virginia, by Special Orders No.238, Paragraph II, Headquarters, Virginia Forces, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 31 July, 1861. The company arrived at Fairfax Station, Fairfax County, Virginia, on 21 August, 1861.

Note: Weston's (Maryland Line) Battalion Volunteers, Company C, under the command of Major J A Weston, was stationed at Camp of Instruction/ Lee, Hermitage/New Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, between the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad and Broad Street, two and a quarter miles northwest of the Capitol, Captiol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 9 July, 1861, and was assigned to the 1st Maryland Infantry, Company I, at Fairfax Station, Fairfax County, Virginia, on 21 August, 1861.

Orders of Battle

The above painting, 'Drive Them to Washington', is by Don Troiani, modern America's finest historical artist.