Company E, 2nd Virginia Infantry is a living history association dedicated
to accurately portraying soldiers and civilians of the American Civil War.

Historical Information and Statistics
regarding the Second Virginia Volunteer Infantry
1861-1865

  • The Second regiment was comprised of companies from Jefferson, Clarke, Frederick and Berkeley Counties in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Company E originated from the Hedgesville community in Berkeley County.

  • It was nicknamed the "Innocent Second" by the other Stonewall Brigade regiments because it refrained from looting and fighting in camp.

  • 1,631men served in the Second Virginia during the war, one hundred sixty- nine of them in Company E.

  • The Regiment's greatest strength was reported on June 30th 1861 when 671 soldiers answered the roll.

  • Shortly after the 2nd Manassas campaign only 36 men appeared in the Second's ranks, marking the time when the regiment was most depleted.
  • The vast majority of those who served in the Second did so voluntarily. Conscripts accounted for only 5.2% of the men in the Second.

  • Nearly one-half of those who fought with the Second became a casualty during the war. This figure includes soldiers who were wounded, killed, captured or declared missing.

  • Approximately 5.5%of the total number who served succumbed to illness. Typhoid was the leading killer.

  • Nearly 20% of the total number of men who served in the Second deserted. 330 men in the Regiment simply quit the war at some point. Company E had the highest desertion rate; 53 or 31.4% of its total compliment. Many returned after a period of absence, some enlisted in other regiments and some returned after being arrested and punished. No reason seemed to contribute to the desertion rate more than proximity to home and family. When the Brigade was in the Valley the desertion rate increased substantially.

  • The greatest distance traveled in one day by the Second was 36 miles on May 31st 1862.

  • Throughout the war 344 men from the Second were incarcerated in northern prisons.

  • At the surrender at Appomattox the Second Regiment was made up of 69 men led by Captain Joseph Jenkins of Company H. Company E consisted of fourteen privates.
Sources:

"2nd Virginia Infantry" from the Virginia Regimental Histories Series written by Dennis E Frye

"The Stonewall Brigade" by James I Robertson, JR.

"A Brotherhood of Valor- The Common Soldiers of the Stonewall Brigade, C.S.A., and the Iron Brigade, U.S.A." by Jeffry D. Wert

2nd Virginia Infantry

Contact Company E. 2nd Virginia Infantry:
Jerry Stiles: jstiles2002@msn.com
Webmaster: info@stonewallbrigade.com
The Stonewall Brigade - www.stonewallbrigade.com