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32nd Virginia Infantry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this regiment’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Organized May 18611
Muster Out: April 9, 18652

Commander(s):
Colonel Edgar B. Montague
Commander Image

Lieutenant Colonel William R. Willis
Commander Image

Commander 3
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army3

  • Commander: Colonel Edgar B. Montague (June ?, 1864)4
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army5

  • Commander: Colonel Edgar B. Montague (June ?, 1864)6
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army7

  • Commander: Colonel Edgar B. Montague8
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army9

  • Commander:
    • Colonel Edgar B. Montague (August 3, 13 & 18, 1864)10,11,12,13
    • ? (August 11, 1864)14
  • Unit Strength:
    • 169 officers and men PFD (August 13, 1864)15
  • Weapons: Springfield and/or Enfield Rifles16
  • Note: Colonel Montague was in temporary command of the brigade at least on August 11, 1864.17

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army18,19

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel William R. Willis20
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 32nd Virginia was detached from Corse’s Brigade and formed part of a temporary Provisional Brigade, Pickett’s Division during the crucial part of the Fifth Offensive which occurred in late September and early October 1864.21,22

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army23

  • Commander: Colonel Edgar B. Montague (?)24
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army25,26

  • Commander:
    • Colonel Edgar B. Montague (November 30 and December 13 & 29, 1864)[27,2829,30,31
    • Lieutenant Colonel William R. Willis (December 1864)32
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army33,34,35,36,37

  • Commander:
    • Lt. Colonel William R. Willis (January 3, 1865)(January & February 1865)38,39,40,41
    • Colonel Edgar B. Montague (January 27 and February 15, 1865)(February 1865)42,43,44
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Corse’s Brigade was detached and operating with Kershaw’s Division in late January 1865.45

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Corse’s Brigade | Pickett’s Division | First Corps | Army of Northern Virginia | Confederate Army46,47

  • Commander: Colonel Edgar B. Montague (March to April 2, 1865)48,49
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles50:

  • Petersburg Siege (June 1864-April 1865)
  • Chaffin’s Farm (September 29, 1864)
  • Five Forks (April 1, 1865)
  • Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)

Bibliography:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

Sources:

  1. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 219-220
  2. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 219-220
  3. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 111
  4. Jensen, Les. 32nd Virginia Infantry (H.E. Howard: 1990), p. 194: I do not have access to this book.  If anyone who reads this can send me the exact text for Montague being in command in June 1864 I would appreciate it. This citation is from The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 111.
  5. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 111
  6. Jensen, Les. 32nd Virginia Infantry (H.E. Howard: 1990), p. 194: I do not have access to this book.  If anyone who reads this can send me the exact text for Montague being in command in June 1864 I would appreciate it. This citation is from The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., p. 111.
  7. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 120
  8. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 120
  9. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 128
  10. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 785 (Edgar B. Montague, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 5): Appears on an Inspection Report of Corse’s Brigade August 3, 1864: I don’t currently have access to this inspection report.  I am not sure if Montague was in command of the 32nd Virginia on August 3 or, due to evidence of Montague in brigade command on August 11, if he was already filling in by August 3.
  11. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 785 (Edgar B. Montague, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 68): Special Requisition for Quartermaster’s Stores August 18, 1864: Montague again appears to be in command of the regiment at this point.
  12. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 128
  13. Confederate Inspection Report 20-P-17: Corse’s Brigade, August 13, 1864Inspection Reports and Related Records Received By the Inspection Branch in the Confederate Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M935, Roll 10: Inspection Reports P-12 – 39-P-24); War Department Collection of Confederate Records, Record Group 109; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  14. More research is needed into who commanded the regiment while Montague was in temporary command of the brigade.  If you have any information please use the Contact button in the menu or leave a comment below.
  15. Confederate Inspection Report 20-P-17: Corse’s Brigade, August 13, 1864Inspection Reports and Related Records Received By the Inspection Branch in the Confederate Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M935, Roll 10: Inspection Reports P-12 – 39-P-24); War Department Collection of Confederate Records, Record Group 109; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  16. Confederate Inspection Report 20-P-17: Corse’s Brigade, August 13, 1864Inspection Reports and Related Records Received By the Inspection Branch in the Confederate Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M935, Roll 10: Inspection Reports P-12 – 39-P-24); War Department Collection of Confederate Records, Record Group 109; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  17. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 754 (James Giles, 29th Virginia, Fold3.com Page 35): Letter from August 11 1864 Indicating Montague Commanded Brigade
  18. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 137
  19. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1311.
  20. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 137: Colonel Montague of the 32nd Virginia commanded the provisional brigade, so Lieutenant Colonel Willis commanded the 32nd Virginia while this temporary organization existed.
  21. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 137
  22. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1311.
  23. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 146
  24. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 146: When Montague’s Provisional Brigade broke up then Montague probably reassumed command of the 32nd Virginia.  However, I do not know what date the breakup occurred and the regiments returned to their respective permanent organizations.  Did this even happen in October?  If so, when?  More research is needed.
  25. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 154
  26. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 162
  27. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 785 (Edgar B. Montague, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 7): Appears on an Inspection Report of Corse’s Brigade November 30, 1864
  28. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 785 (Edgar B. Montague, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 70): Pay Voucher for July 1 to Aug 31 on December 13, 1864
  29. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 785 (Edgar B. Montague, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 6): Appears on an Inspection Report of Corse’s Brigade December 29, 1864
  30. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 154
  31. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 162
  32. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 162
  33. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 171
  34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 1170: “Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General R. E. Lee, January 31, 1865”; This list contains many commanders who were not there.  They were the “official” commanders but may have been gone on leave.  I have used none of the leaders from this list as a result.
  35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 1180: “Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, General R. E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding, January 31, 1865”; This order of battle was based off of inspection reports from January 26-31, 1865, and the leaders should be accurate for this time frame.
  36. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 181
  37. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 1268: “Organization of the Infantry and Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, General R. E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding, February 28, 1865”; This order of battle was based off of inspection reports from February 28, 1865.  However, leaders listed are from January.  I’ve chosen to ignore the leaders and just use this source for the organization of the order of battle.
  38. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 171
  39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 1180: “Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, General R. E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding, January 31, 1865”; This order of battle was based off of inspection reports from January 26-31, 1865, and the leaders should be accurate for this time frame.
  40. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 181
  41. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 780 (Joseph V. Bidgood, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 26): Letter from January 3, 1865 Indicating Lt. Colonel William R. Willis Was In Command
  42. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 181
  43. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 785 (Edgar B. Montague, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 8): Appears on an Inspection Report of Corse’s Brigade January 27, 1865
  44. Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia, National Archives, Roll 780 (Joseph V. Bidgood, 32nd Virginia, Fold3.com Page 29): Letter from February 15 1865 Indicating Col Edgar B. Montague Was In Command
  45. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 1180: “Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, General R. E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding, January 31, 1865”; This order of battle was based off of inspection reports from January 26-31, 1865, and the leaders should be accurate for this time frame.
  46. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 190
  47. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 200
  48. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 190
  49. The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1: The Army of Northern Virginia by F. Ray Sibley, Jr., page 200
  50. Compendium of the Confederate Armies: Virginia by Stewart Sifakis, pp. 219-220
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