John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch and Roster of the Virginia 7th Infantry Regiment John C Rigdon

The Virginia 7th Infantry Regiment was organized in May, 1861, at Manassas Junction, Virginia, with men from Giles, Madison, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Greene, and Albemarle counties. It fought at First Manassas under General Jubal Early, then served with Richard Ewell, Ambrose P. Hill, James L. Kemper, and William R. Terry. In April, 1862, the regiment had 700 effectives and later was active in the various campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Gettysburg. It participated in Longstreet's Suffolk expedition, was prominent in the capture of Plymouth, then fought at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor. The 7th continued the fight in the Petersburg trenches south of the James River and around Appomattox. The regiment sustained 47 casualties at First Manassas, 77 at Williamsburg, 111 at Frayser's Farm, 59 at Second Manassas, and 4 at Fredericksburg. About 40% of the 335 engaged at Gettysburg were disabled. It lost 39 men at Drewry's Bluff, and many were captured at Five Forks and Sayler's Creek. Only 20 officers and men were present at the surrender at Appomattox Court House. Two published firsthand accounts for this regiment are available plus The Seventh Virginia Infantry by David F. Riggs which was published by H. E. Howard Company in 1982. We publish the first two books, by David E Johnston;,