23rd Virginia Infantry Photo Gallery

Jamestown Military Through the Ages

Jamestown, Virginia

Portraying the Amelia Rifles in the Spring of 1861

The 23rd places in all competition events.

These two old Militia Soldiers won't make the regular army.

From May edition of Civil War News. Photo By Nancy Jennis Olds..

McDowell 1862

Highland County, Virginia

A reenactment in the town and on the original May 1862 battlefield

The 23rd Virginia and the North State Rifles joined to form 4th Company of the Regiment. The event started with a cool Friday evening in Confederate camps along the Bullpasture River. Ration issues, picket duty, and drill occupied Saturday morning. In the early afternoon, Confederate troops, numbering about 400, crossed the river on a bridge constructed by the Engineer Battalion, and advanced to the heights west of the town of McDowell with 4th Company as skirmishers.  At the top of the heights, two Union guns occupied the original Union artillery positions. The position was assaulted by portions of one company, which was decimated by canister. A second attack by 4th Company took the guns after considerable loss, and the remainder of the regiment then advanced and pushed the Federals beyond the edge of the plateau. Several Federal attacks were repulsed from the heights. The Confederate forces then advanced down the north face of the plateau with 4th Company advancing down a road on the Federal left flank. The flank was well protected, and 4th company took severe casualties before the Federals were driven to the limits of the town. from which they withdrew. Fourth Company was assigned to clear the town, which was done with style, as it contained numerous foodstuffs and libations. Confederates occupied the lawns and porches of hospitable town folk. A drizzle over Saturday night didn't dampen the spirits of the boys in the ranks. The privates of the 23rd spent a somewhat comfortable night on the porch of a VMI alum and remained dry and well provisioned with food and drink. Sunday dawned beautiful and clear. Sunday morning's fight occurred on the original battlefield atop Sitlington Hill. Musket fire echoed for miles from this beautiful position. Activities ended by late morning, and members of the 23rd Virginia and North State Rifles retired to reassemble at several Staunton eateries. The 23rd and the North State Rifles where honored to be joined by Andy, who is an archivist in his homeland of Germany and came to the States to attend this event, accompanied by his lovely lady friend. He was as good a pard as a soldier could have, his uniform was perfect '62, and we look forward to seeing him again soon.  

In camp along the Bullpasture River.

Formation before the advance across the Bullpasture River

The 23rd Virginia and North State Rifles of First Platoon as skirmishers on advance to Union-occupied plateau. Second Platoon as the Skirmish Reserve advances in distance under watch of Captain Reagan. Private Z. Speer straggles far in the rear.

Left - 23rd Virginia forms on the plateau. Center - Advance on the Union guns. Right - Flank advance is decimated.

Federal counterattacks on the plateau are repulsed.

Left - Boys rest after having taken the town. Right - Privates of the 23rd spend the evening at the home of a VMI alumnus.

Private D. Speer steals a pie from the ladies of Blue Roof Catering of Monterey.

He didn't make it far and would ride the wooden horse for his offences against the good ladies.

Andy Braeunling and Dorothea who joined the 23rd from Germany.

Bi-annual reunion of the Ruritan Home Guard, with honorary member Andy from Germany (lower right).

Gettysburg - Spangler's Spring and Culp's Hill 1863

A Living History Weekend on the July 2 and 3, 1863 battlefield

The most rewarding event of each year is our Living History program at Spangler's Spring on the Gettysburg battlefield. Not only are we able to camp on the battlefield as guests of the National Park, an honor allowed only to a select few groups in our hobby, but we occupy the ground where the original 23rd Virginia was engaged in one of her most severe fights and are able to relate the real story of the Confederate soldier to hundreds of park visitors throughout the weekend. Visitors from throughout the Country and around the world leave the park with an understanding of the Confederate soldier they never knew. And this, after all, is our real purpose. This year's event included a reenactment of the advance up the slopes of Culp's Hill in the footsteps of the original 23rd Virginia of Stewart's Brigade, to the delight of many spectators, to occupy the Federal works. Through the weekend we performed five demonstrations to large crowds of park visitors. Sunday morning, a contemplative ceremony was held at the iron marker remembering the actions of the 23rd Virginia and Stewart's Brigade during their four days in the Gettysburg conflict. Our thanks go out to Park Ranger Tom Holbrook for his first-class living history program at Gettysburg NMP.        

Advance on Culp's Hill

Preparation for demonstrations

Interaction with the Public

Chris Brown of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association tells members of the 23rd of the GBPA efforts to preserve the historic Daniel Lady Farm, where  casualties of the fighting on Culp's Hill were brought. Chris brought pictures of a door in the Daniel Lady barn where Benjamin A. Roberts of Company K, 23rd Virginia (Keysville, Virginia) carved his initials "B A R 23 VA". Benjamin enlisted in May of 1861 and fought continuously with the 23rd Virginia until his capture at Spotsylvania in May 1864.

Remembering the real men

Filming of the Louisa Co. Travel Video at Netherland Tavern

Trevilion Station Battlefield

Living History and Candle Light Tours

New Market Battlefield Park, Shenandoah County, Virginia

A living history with the VMI Civil War Roundtable

Lt. Atwood prepares Saturday lunch and dinner, a nice stew enjoyed by all.

After dinner, Keydets wrastle, followed by Keydet Kids.

Before the candle light tours: Left, Privates Raynes, D. Speer, and A. White. Miss Augusta Moss. Pvt Z. Speer.

Left: The VMI Cadets during the Candle Light Tours.    Right: Libations follow.

Living History at The Stone Wall

and Christmas Party

Fredericksburg National Battlefield Park, Virginia

The 23rd meets the Thompson Family from South Carolina. The Thompsons brought their sons, Wyatt and Jordan Kirkland, to Fredericksburg to see the place where their great-great-great-uncle, Sgt. Richard Kirkland of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry, earned the name "Angel of Marye's Heights". Although Federal troops held their fire while he nursed their wounded, Sgt. Kirkland would be killed in action at Chickamauga within a year.

Painting "Angel of Marye's Heights" by Mort Kunstler

The reenactment of The Battle of Fredericksburg rages near the Stone Wall.