The 25th Virginia was organized during the early summer of 1861. Its members were raised in Upshur, Augusta, Highland, Bath, Pendleton, and Rockbridge counties. The unit participated in Lee's Cheat Mountain Campaign and Jackson's Valley Campaign. In the spring of 1862 the 9th Battalion, Virginia Infantry, four companies from Taylor County under the command of Lt. Colonel George W. Hansbrough that had fought in the Army of the Northwest and fought at Greenbrier River and Camp Allegheny were merged into the 25th Virginia. After the July 11, 1861, Battle of Rich Mountain, the regiment was severely depleted due to Col. Pegram's surrender of Camp Garnett, as discussed below.