Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

First Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers

MAJOR J A WESTON
J A Weston was appointed major, 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, at Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 29 May, 1861.

Company A Weston Guards (detachments of Baltimore City Guards/ Maryland Guards Battalions): CAPT. E R Dorsey
The company was accepted in Virginia state service for one year at Weston & Williams Store, 15 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 Detachment of Maryland Guards Battalion: CAPT. J L Clarke
The company was accepted in Virginia state service for one year at Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 23 May, 1861, and was mustered in Virginia state service for one year 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 for one year at Weston & Williams Store, 15 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 Detachment of Maryland Guards Battalion: CAPT. W H Murray
The company was accepted in Virginia state service for one year at Weston & Williams Store, 15 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 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).

Independent Greys, 29 April, 1861

COLONEL B HUGER, 53rd Regiment Infantry, Second Brigade, First Light Division, Maryland Volunteer Militia

Company A: Capt. J L Clarke
Company H: Capt. B L Simpson
Company I: Capt. T B Allard

A detachment of the Maryland Guards Battalion, under the command of Captain J L Clarke, Indepenedent Greys, Company A, 53rd Regiment Infantry, Second Brigade, First Light Division, Maryland Volunteer Militia, was mustered in Virginia state service for one year as the 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Company B, at Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, by Colonel & Inspector General J B Baldwin, Virginia Volunteers, on 24 May, 1861 (See the 1st Maryland Infantry).

Note: Acting Adjutant & Captain J L Clarke, Independent Greys, Company A, 53rd Regiment Infantry, Second Brigade, First Light Division, Maryland Volunteer Militia, under the command of Colonel B Huger, was stationed at Baltimore City, Maryland, on 29 April, 1861.

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

"Yesterday it was our pleasure to witness the mustering in of the First Company of the 179th Regiment, Virginia Volunteers. The company we refer to is that of Capt. E. R. Dorsey, late of the Baltimore City Guard, and is composed wholly of Baltimoreans; and in a few days we are satisfied we can announce the regiment full, to be composed entirely of citizens of Maryland."

Richmond Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia), 18 May, 1861 - Baltimore troops mustered into the service of Virginia

"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

"Suffolk, Va., 3 June, 1861 - Two companies of Baltimore soldiers are here, under command of Col. Thomas, and the Petersburg Cavalry are here."

Richmond Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia), 3 June, 1861 - Affairs in Suffolk

"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. Murray, 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

The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, under the command of Major J A Weston, was accepted in Virginia state service at Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, between 16 May and 12 June, 1861.

Note: The Weston Guards was accepted in Virginia state service for one year at Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 16 May, 1861; the Maryland Guards, under the command of Captain J L Clarke, for one year on 23 May, 1861; and Robertson's company and the Maryland Guards, under the command of Captain W H Murray, for one year on 12 June, 1861.

Organisation of 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers (65-70), Company A, at Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, 16 May, 1861: Captain E R Dorsey, Baltimore City Guards Battalion, Company B; First Lieutenant S H Stewart, Baltimore City Guards Battalion; Second Lieutenant R C Smith, Maryland Guards Battalion

Note: Adjutant E R Dorsey, Baltimore City Guards Battalion, Second Brigade, First Light Division, Maryland Volunteer Militia, was appointed first lieutenant, Baltimore City Guards Battalion, Company B, on 6 March, 1860, and First Lieutenant E R Dorsey, Baltimore City Guards Battalion, First Regiment Light Artillery, Company D, First Brigade, First Light Division, Maryland Volunteer Militia, was appointed captain, 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Company A, at Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 16 May, 1861 (See the 1st Maryland Infantry).

Mustered for one year, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, 17 May-18 June, 1861: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) 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.

Note: Colonel F J Thomas, Maryland Volunteers, assumed command of the Maryland Volunteers at and in the vicinity of Virginia on 17 May, 1861, and Colonel & Acting Chief of Ordnance F J Thomas, Virginia Volunteers, was stationed at Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, on 1 July, 1861. He was killed at the first battle of Manassas on 21 July, 1861.

Expedition to destroy bridges at the Northern Cemtral Railroad, between Cockeysville & Ashland, Baltimore County, Maryland, 20-21 April, 1861: A detachment of the Baltimore City Guards Battalion (35), under the command of First Lieutenant E R Dorsey, Baltimore City Guards Battalion, Company D, 1st Regiment Light Artillery, First Brigade, First Light Division, Maryland Volunteer Militia, was ordered to destroy two bridges at the Northern Cemtral Railroad, between Cockeysville and Ashland, Baltimore County, Maryland, in the evening on 20 April, 1861, and arrived at Baltimore City, Maryland, at 4 AM on 21 April, 1861 (See the Second Brigade, Second Division, Army of Pennsylvania).

Detached duty at Chuckatuck, Nansemond County, Virginia, Companies A & B, 29 May-6 June, 1861: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers (150), Companies A and B, under the command of Colonel F J Thomas, Virginia Volunteers, arrived by the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad at Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia, on 29 May, 1861, and were stationed at Chuckatuck, Nansemond County, Virginia, between 29 May and 6 June, 1861.

Note: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Companies A and B, under the command of Colonel F J Thomas, Maryland Volunteers, were stationed at Petersburg, Henrico County, Virginia, on 28 May, 1861, and Colonel F J Thomas, Maryland Volunteers, was appointed colonel, Virginia Volunteers, on 29 May, 1861.

Rendezvous at Headquarters, 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, 1 June, 1861: The Maryland Volunteers were ordered to rendezvous at Headquarters, 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 1 June, 1861.

Note: Major J A Weston, 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, was stationed at Headquarters, 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Weston & Williams Store, 15 Pearl Street, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, on 1 June, 1861.

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

Flag presentation at Washington Monument, northwest of the Capitol, Capitol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, Companies A & B, 8 June, 1861: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Companies A and B, under the command of Colonel F J Thomas, Virginia Volunteers, and Major J A Weston, 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, were stationed at and in the vicinity of the Washington Monument, northwest of the Capitol, Capitol Hill, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, at 6.30 PM on 8 June, 1861.

Note: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) 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 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers (70) , Company A, 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.

Special Orders No.71, Paragraph IV, Adjutant & Inspector General's Office, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, Companies A & D, 14 June, 1861: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) 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.

Note: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Companies A and D, were assigned to the 1st Maryland Infantry, Companies C (2nd) and H (2nd), respectively, 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.

Organisation of 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, 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, 18 June, 1861: Major J A Weston; Company A, Weston Guards, Captain E R Dorsey; Company B, Independent Guards, Captain J L Clarke; Company C, Captain M S Robertson; Company D, Maryland Guards, Captain W H Murray

Note: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, under the command of Major J A Weston, was disbanded 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 20 and 22 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.

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 C, 24 June, 1861: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers (54), Company C, 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 24 June, 1861.

Note: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers (73), 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 1 July, 1861.

Flag presentation at 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, 3 July, 1861: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) Volunteers, Company B, 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 3 July, 1861.

Note: The 1st Maryland Battalion (Virginia) 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, dated July, 1861.

Note: The 1st Maryland Infantry, Company I, arrived 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.