A Quick History

The 63rd Virginia Infantry Regiment was mustered into service in March and April of 1862 to assist the efforts of the Confederate Army. It was made up of men from Carroll, Grayson, Montgomery, Washington, Smyth, and Wythe Counties from Virginia. There were also men that came from Sullivan County, Tennesee and Monroe County, West Virginia that were assigned to this Regiment. As well as these men there were also a Company from Floyd County, Virginia know as "The Floyd Blues" who were mustered into service in July of 1861 with the 50th Infantry. They were transferred into the 63rd Virginia Infantry with the induction of the REgiment.  The 63rd was active throughout Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky before becoming part of the Army of Tennessee in August of 1863.  This is where they remained until the end of the Civil War.

The 54th Virginia Infantry Regiment was mustered into service on September 5th, 1861. It was made up of men from Carroll, Floyd, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties along with the Roanoke Guards. This Regiment served throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia for their first two years of service before becoming part of the Army of Tennessee in August 1863. Like the 63rd this is where they stayed until the end of the Civil War.

The two Regiments first action with the Army of Tennessee was at Chickamaua in Georgia. The 63rd Regiment was in General Kelly's Brigade (Colonel at the time) and the 54th Regiment was in Colonel Trigg's Brigade. During the action on Snodgrass Hill the Regiments were arrayed side by side. This action was considered a major Confederate victory. After the battle at Chickamagua the 63rd and the 54th Regiments were reassigned with the 58th and 60th North Carolina Regiments as part of General Reynolds Brigade where they staed for the duration of the Civil War. This Brigade was part of General Patrick Cleburne's Division which is who they participated in most of their major engagements with until the end of the Civil War.

Because of the losses of both the 63rd and 54th Regiments, they were combined to form the 54th Virginia Infantry Battalion on April 9th, 1865.

Our Association

The combining of the two units explains the reason we chose to combine regiments in our association. The Men of these Regiments were shoulder to shoulder for two years during some of the most intense fighting of the war. It is only proper based on these facts that their descendants band together to honor them.

The distinction of being the only two Infantry Regiments from Virginia in the Army of Tennessee is reason enough to honor their service. There is at this time no monument to them along their battle lines. Our intentions are to have one erected in their honor. We cannot pay this honor to our ancestors without everyone's help.