The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-07
CONFEDERATE VOLUNTEERS
First Company Mustered in From
Fredericksburg for Civil War.

Mai. L. S. Ruggles, OF this city,
has in his possession a report OF
the inspection of the military COM
panies first organized in this section
just prior to the Civil war. The IN
spection was made by VIM. II. ker,
brigade inspector and bears date OF
April 3Oth, 1861. 1t is as follows:
List of companies of the volun-
teers Of Virginia mustered into serv-
ice by order of Brigadier General
ID. Ruggles
Company A. 2nd Battalion In
fantry. When mustered into serv-
ice numbered 81 rank and file. but
since increased by enrolment to rs.
Ii has IA percussion muskets. the
balance old flint lock muskets. Ii
has but so good cartridge boxes and
belts. the balance are old and INFER
Tor. Stationed at Fredericksburg.
The Wise Dragons. a company
attached to the 44th Regiment of
militia. Armed with sabres only,
OF which they require ten more.
They were organized TO serve as
mounted riflemen and for that sew
ice require light rifles. When mus
tered into service they numbered
81 rank and file. but | am as
sured will be increasd TO 70.
Company c. Fredericksburg. Ar
tillery. 2nd Battalion. Numbered
SO rank and file when mustered in
TO service. II is without arms, but
undergoing instruction in camp near
Fredericksburg.
Sparta Grays. a company OF rit-
lemen attached TO the S5th Regi-
ment Of militia, when mustered mum
bered 60 rank and file. armed with
SO sharp's rifles with sword Dayo-
nets and will require Is more. as
the company can be increased TO 90
or more. Stationed near Port
Royal.
Mount Pleasant Riflemen. com
pany attached to the 18th Regiment
of militia. when mustered into serV-
ice numbered 90, armed with rifles
but require belts and cap pouches.
Ordered TO the encampment near
Fredericksburg
'Warrenton Riflemen, company
attached to the S5th Regiment OF
militia. when mustered into service
numbered 6S rank and file.- armed
with old rifles. not more than oO
OF which are OF an uniform pattern.
Stationed near Warrenton, Eau
quier county.
Muster rolls of the above named
companies have been forwarded 10
the adiutant general. Richmond
Company b, End Battalion, num-
hers rs rank and file. has 40 per
cussion muskets. The balance OF
the arms are old flint lock muskets'
very inferior The company has eo
good cartridge boxes and belts. The
balance are old and little val.
ne stationed near Fredericksburg.
THE Mercer Cavalry. company
attached to the 18th Regiment OF
militia. numbers 63 rank and me-
armed with sabres and revolVers.
Stationed at Spotsylyania c. II.
THE muster rolls of the two last
companies have not been for"arGeu'
the captains having been ordered 10
duty before signing them.
"The Sharp's rifles in the HANDS
of the Sparta Grays are furnished
bv the county of Caroline.
capt. W. p. Quisenberry. of the
Bowling Green Guards. who has OF
fered his services, informs me that
he has so men armed with Sharp S
rifles furnished by the same county
and that he can Immediately
increase his company to 75 II the
arms can be furnished him.
Fredericksburg, Va, goth April
1861.
(Signed) VIM. II. ker.
Brigade Inspector
/ Attached to the report is a news
paper clipping of the same date as
follows:
THE Ruggles Guards, now organ
ized in Fredericksburg, Will make
the sth volunteer corps from the
town. The list had over 80 names
signed yesterday"
These troops were very shorti!
after this report mustered into the
Confederate army.
The brigadier general mentioh-
ed in this report was the tather
of Major Edward S. Ruggles, OF
this city. and 1t is needless to say
/ that the Major prizes these ola
papers very highly.