About Our Company
The 9th Virginia, Company C is a part of the 10th Battalion,
Army of Northern Virginia. Our company strives for a balance
between being as authentic as possible in our dress, demeanor,
equipment and activities and being a family-oriented organization.
The families of men-at-arms are invited to participate, and
individual civilian impressions of the Civil War period are also
encouraged. In our camp, we make certain concessions for the
inclusion of women and children. Participation is strictly optional
for any activity or event. We treat new members like family,
with guidance and friendship. New members receive the 9th’s
“New Recruit Guide”, which details uniform and accouterments
requirements as well as language of the 19th century and other
information helpful to the new reenactor. All members and recruits
are kept informed of unit activities through our private & public website.
The 9th Virginia is a growing Company. We are comprised of professionals,
working class individuals and the self-employed. The members of the recreated
9th are mainly from Long Island and southern New York. We attend events
principally in this area, but also venture to Pennsylvania, Virginia, Rhode Island,
and beyond.
Are You Ready To Serve!
About the Hobby
Reenacting is a rare hobby that is both enjoyable and educational! It allows a person to experience the life and times of a Civil War era soldier or civilian. The 9th Virginia is dedicated to recreating the lifestyles and events of the period of the War Between the States. We participate in battle re-enactments and living history demonstrations, and occasionally, a parade.
Reenacting is a rare hobby that is both enjoyable and educational! It allows a person to experience the life and times of a Civil War era soldier or civilian. The 9th Virginia is dedicated to recreating the lifestyles and events of the period of the War Between the States. We participate in battle re-enactments and living history demonstrations, and occasionally, a parade.
A Brief History of the
Chesterfield Yellow Jackets and the 9th Virginia Infantry
Chesterfield Yellow Jackets and the 9th Virginia Infantry
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, or because they were bored at home …most joined up because they believed that Virginia—their home—was worth fighting for. Most of these men were farmers, while others made their living from the sea, or from the neighboring shipyards.
Originally organized to protect the towns and cities they hailed from in the Tidewater Region around Norfolk, the Regiment joined the ranks of Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead's Brigade, which wound up as part Major General Richard H. 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, General Lee promoted Brigadier General George E. Pickett to Major General and formed a new division; Armistead’s Brigade—including the 9th Virginia—formed part of that Division. The 9th then fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.
Having missed the Battle of Chancellorsville, Generals Pickett and Armistead, and the men of the 9th Virginia crossed the Potomac River into Maryland near Williamsport, before marching into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pickett's Division was at the rear of General Longstreet's Corps. Pickett's Division was called to Gettysburg where a furious battle had erupted on July 1, 1863. The division broke camp in the early morning hours of the July 2, 1863, and marched into Gettysburg taking a position behind Seminary Ridge, missing the second day’s action as well.
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. As the only Division not involved in the first two days of fighting, Pickett’s Division was to form the bulk of the attack on the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. General 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… General Armistead was shot down, dying two days later. Major Owens was killed as were many other officers and men of the 9th; of the 300 men who, for eighteen glorious minutes, followed General Armistead across that mile of open ground, covered for every step of the way by shot and shell, 180 never left the field.
The Battle of Drewy’s Bluff, in the spring of 1864, has been more or less passed over by the history books. For the 9th Virginia, though, it was the most costly battle since Gettysburg. In a morning-long engagement over a stretch of trenches, another 48 men from the 9th Virginia became casualties.
On March 30th 1865 General Lee instructed Pickett to hold Five Forks at all costs…and the resulting battle 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. As the Union attack started to break the Confederate line, the 9th Virginia marched to plug up the hole. Every man knew that the regiment was being sacrificed to give time for the others to escape. While marching to the left, one of the color bearers called to the Colonel of the 56th NC, “Here goes old Portsmouth Colonel - good-by!” The 9th bore the brunt of the attack but held its ground. The Union 5th Corps, coming on faster than the Virginians could load and fire, overwhelmed the regiment. Most of the 9th were killed, wounded or captured.
Those that did manage to escape made their way to Appomattox Courthouse with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia and surrendered there on April 9th. Overall, nearly four-in-ten of the men of the Tidewater who fought with the 9th Virginia Infantry—800 men in all—were killed, wounded or captured before the end.
Originally organized to protect the towns and cities they hailed from in the Tidewater Region around Norfolk, the Regiment joined the ranks of Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead's Brigade, which wound up as part Major General Richard H. 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, General Lee promoted Brigadier General George E. Pickett to Major General and formed a new division; Armistead’s Brigade—including the 9th Virginia—formed part of that Division. The 9th then fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.
Having missed the Battle of Chancellorsville, Generals Pickett and Armistead, and the men of the 9th Virginia crossed the Potomac River into Maryland near Williamsport, before marching into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pickett's Division was at the rear of General Longstreet's Corps. Pickett's Division was called to Gettysburg where a furious battle had erupted on July 1, 1863. The division broke camp in the early morning hours of the July 2, 1863, and marched into Gettysburg taking a position behind Seminary Ridge, missing the second day’s action as well.
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. As the only Division not involved in the first two days of fighting, Pickett’s Division was to form the bulk of the attack on the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. General 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… General Armistead was shot down, dying two days later. Major Owens was killed as were many other officers and men of the 9th; of the 300 men who, for eighteen glorious minutes, followed General Armistead across that mile of open ground, covered for every step of the way by shot and shell, 180 never left the field.
The Battle of Drewy’s Bluff, in the spring of 1864, has been more or less passed over by the history books. For the 9th Virginia, though, it was the most costly battle since Gettysburg. In a morning-long engagement over a stretch of trenches, another 48 men from the 9th Virginia became casualties.
On March 30th 1865 General Lee instructed Pickett to hold Five Forks at all costs…and the resulting battle 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. As the Union attack started to break the Confederate line, the 9th Virginia marched to plug up the hole. Every man knew that the regiment was being sacrificed to give time for the others to escape. While marching to the left, one of the color bearers called to the Colonel of the 56th NC, “Here goes old Portsmouth Colonel - good-by!” The 9th bore the brunt of the attack but held its ground. The Union 5th Corps, coming on faster than the Virginians could load and fire, overwhelmed the regiment. Most of the 9th were killed, wounded or captured.
Those that did manage to escape made their way to Appomattox Courthouse with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia and surrendered there on April 9th. Overall, nearly four-in-ten of the men of the Tidewater who fought with the 9th Virginia Infantry—800 men in all—were killed, wounded or captured before the end.
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9th Virginia Infantry
Company "C"
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"The War Is Not About Slavery"
Robert E. Lee Quote
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