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He enlisted and mustered at Goodson (I believe that was modern-day Bristol) on 3/26/1862, into Company A 37th Virginia.

He was killed at Cedar Mountain, Va. 8/9/1862.


I read some on that, he had three brothers all in different regiments and one was with him at cedar mountain. I found a regimental history online but am unaware of any other resources to read about the 37th
 
I read some on that, he had three brothers all in different regiments and one was with him at cedar mountain. I found a regimental history online but am unaware of any other resources to read about the 37th

Found a Francis Marion Sorah in the 48th Virginia (another regiment from Southwest Virginia. My wife had relatives in the 37th & 48th Virginia.
 
I joined the local SCV a few years back and the president of my chapter never mentioned Burrill or my great uncles. He had me join with a much distant relation. So this information on the 37th blows me away.
 
I read some on that, he had three brothers all in different regiments and one was with him at cedar mountain. I found a regimental history online but am unaware of any other resources to read about the 37th

he had three brothers all in different regiments

Do you have their names ?


From the Official Records :

Thirty-seventh Virginia Infantry


Cedar Mountain, VA after action report:

Report of Maj. H. C. Wood, Thirty-seventh Virginia Infantry.

CAMP NEAR GORDONSVILLE, VA.,
August 13, 1862.
In marking my report of the part acted by the Thirty-seventh Regiment in the
action on Cedar Creek on the 9th instant, it is necessary for me to state that
it was late in the engagement when the command devolved on me,
consequently I was not informed as to the position we wee to take until after
we had gone on the field. Being marched into the woods in rear of our
batteries, we were ordered to lie down there to support them. Lying there
for some time, very much exposed to the enemy's shells, which were
continually bursting over and around, we were then ordered to the field.
Coming into the field, taking position on the left of the Twenty-third
Regiment (which regiment was on the extreme right of the brigade), we were
marched forward, crossing a small hollow to the brow of a low eminence,
from which position the enemy in three columns in battle order opened fire
on us, which was gallantly returned by my men, which continued, the action
soon becoming general. In this position the action continued for some time;
the first line of the enemy giving way, the second were thrown into the
utmost confusion, when the left of this regiment, being left unprotected and
unsupported by the Forty-seventh and Forty-eight Alabama Regiments having
given way, and being thus exposed to a fire in front, rear, and on the left
flank, was compelled to give way, which was taken up by each company
from the left, not, however, until after we received orders to fall back,
which was done in tolerably good order by most of the companies, some,
however, becoming a little confused. I soon succeeded in rallying the
men--not until a great many of them were killed by being exposed to fire
from the front and left flank. As soon as they were rallied they advanced
gallantly to the contest, driving the enemy from before them in every
direction.

It is proper to state here that this regiment would have been able to maintain
its position had the Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth Alabama Regiments been
able to have maintained theirs.

I must express my thanks to the officers and men of this regiment for the
gallant manner in which they conducted themselves during the whole
engagement; and where all conducted themselves so gallantly it is impossible
to mention particular individuals, although there were those whose gallant
conduct renders them worthy of the proudest position.

H. C. WOOD,
Maj., Commanding Thirty-seventh Virginia Regiment.

Col. A. G. TALIAFERRO,
Commanding Third Brigade.


Source: Official Records
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. PAGE 212-16
[Series I. Vol. 12. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 16.]

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Forty-eighth Virginia Infantry


Cedar Mountain, VA after action report:

No. 40.

Report of Capt. J. H. Horton, Forty-eighth Regiment Virginia Infantry.

CAMP NEAR LIBERTY MILLS, VA.,
August 13, 1862.
LIEUTENANT: I herewith transmit a report of the part taken by the
Forty-eighth Regiment, of the Second Brigade, commanded by Capt. William
Y. C. Hannum, in the battle of the 9th instant:

My regiment, being the advance of the Second Brigade, let camp near
Rapidan River about 8 a. m. and followed the First Brigade until about 2 p.
m., when it was ordered with the rest of the brigade to the front, when we
were halted to allow the Hampden Artillery (Capt. Caskie's battery) to
pass to the front, during which time a shell from the enemy's gun, bursting
in our ranks, killed 5 and wounded 6 men. The order was given to advance,
when leaving the road to the left we proceeded about a quarter of a mile
under cover of the woods for the space of half an hour. At the expiration of
half an hour we were again ordered to advance by the flank a distance of
probably a quarter of a mile, when we were thrown into line of battle upon
the left of the Twenty-first Virginia Regiment, which constituted the right of
our brigade, the Forty-second Virginia Regiment upon our left. The
regiment, at this time being commanded by Capt. Hannum, was, by order
of Lieut.-Col. Garnett, so thrown into line as to cause the right and
left flanks to form right angles with each other. Skirmishers were sent to the
front, with orders to fire as soon as the enemy came within range of their
guns. The firing soon began with the skirmishers, which [in a few] minutes
became general, and lasted for about an hour. Finding that the enemy had
got in our rear, almost entirely surrounding us, we were ordered to make
our way out; but a portion of the regiment not understanding the order
remained at their post, continuing to fire at the enemy in front. At this time
re-enforcements came up, driving the
enemy from our rear. Our regiment was partially reformed and then
participated in a charge made across the field, pursuing the enemy until dark.

The casualties areas follows: Missing, 4; killed, 19; wounded, 43.

J. H. HORTON,
Capt., Commanding Forty-eighth Regiment Virginia Vols.

Second Lieut. THOMAS R. DUNN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.


Source: Official Records
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. PAGE 205-16
[Series I. Vol. 12. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 16.]



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Chancellorsville, VA after battle report:


No. 408.

Report of Maj. Oscar White, Forty-eighth Virginia Infantry.

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA.,
May 10, 1863.
SIR: Below is respectfully submitted a report of the part taken by my
regiment in the recent battle of [Chancellorsville], beginning on
Saturday, the 2d instant, and ending in the evening of the 3d, with a
revised and corrected list of casualties:

Upon Saturday, the 2d instant, we, together with the rest of our
brigade (J. R. Jones'), approached Chancellorsville from Hamilton's
Crossing. When within about 2 miles of said place, we changed the
direction of march to our left, passing to the southward and around the
right flank of the enemy. After crossing both the Plank roads--one
leading from Fredericksburg to Orange Court-House, the other to
Culpeper Court-House--we arrived upon a pike road, unknown to me,
and marched down it toward Chancellorsville a distance of about a mile,
when we were deployed into a line of battle, our entire brigade being
upon the left of said road, and my regiment being on the left of the
brigade. Here our knapsacks were left under change of a small detail,
and we began the advance. There was another line in front of us, but of
what troops composed I know not. We advanced a distance of about 3
1/2 miles through very thick woods, which made it exceedingly toilsome
upon officers and men, but I am pleased to say they bore up and pushed
forward cheerfully. As last we came out upon an open field, where we
first saw the enemy engaged by our advanced line. We soon overtook
them, and joined in pursuit of the now retreating foe, marching, or
rather running, a farther distance of about 2 miles, when, night coming
on, we were obliged to desist, and attend to the collection and
reorganization of our regiment, which had become quite scattered in
their impetuous pursuit.

While lying in this position, we were subjected to a most terrific fire of
shot and shell from the enemy's batteries. Lieut. Col. R. H.
Dungan was struck in the breast by a solid shot, but, fortunately, so far
spent that it broke no bones.

Early next morning we were formed in a new direction, and advanced
to within about 200 yards of the enemy, intrenched behind a breastwork,
and halted, by whose order and for what reason I cannot imagine, for
I think that had we continued to charge we could have dislodged the
enemy. Here we stood for about twenty minutes, receiving a most
deadly fire, both from the intrenched infantry, and, I judge, several
batteries. The trees near evidence of the tremendous rain of shell and
bullets. Here fell our gallant and universally esteemed colonel, Thomas
S. Garnett, and almost our whole loss was sustained at this point.
Indeed, it was a most trying and exposed position. We were compelled
to retire some 150 yards to a line of breastworks, where we waited
about half an hour, and again advanced with a brigade, I believe, of
Gen. Rodes' division. This time we charged over the first breastwork
of the enemy, and ascended a hill upon which the enemy's batteries and
been planted, but from which they had now fled. I was upon the left of
our brigade, and, while upon this hill, perceived that we were flanked
by a considerable body of the enemy on my left. Just at this time there
was a brigade arrived behind us, and I ran to the colonel commanding
it, and asked him to throw his brigade into line to the left. He said he
would, and gave some orders, but his men becoming confused,
retreated, and ours, in spite of all efforts, followed. We fell back to our
breastworks, where we rallied, and immediately advanced again to the
top of the hill, and held it the rest of the day.

Our brigade being very much cut up and scattered, we were ordered a
short distance to the rear to reorganize and draw our provisions. As
soon as this was done, we marched forward and took our proper
position in the line already formed. This line was in very thick woods,
and being informed by Capt. S. J. C. Moore, adjutant-general, that
it was
impossible to ride through those woods, I, rendered unable to proceed
on foot by a hit upon the leg, turned over the command to Capt. John
M. Vermillion, and retired to the hospital, where I slept, and rejoined
my regiment and resumed command the next morning.

I cannot close this report without making particular mention of the
gallantry displayed by Lieut. John M. Preston, adjutant of the
regiment, and expressing my entire satisfaction with the conduct of
every officer, and, with the few disgraceful exceptions below given, of
every man in the regiment.

The number of my regiment engaged was 28 commissioned officers and
317 enlisted men.

My loss was.*

Recapitulation.--Killed--officers, 2;+ enlisted men, 17. Wounded--officers,
10; enlisted men, 74. Missing--enlisted men, 9. Aggregate, 112. Shirks,
8.

I have the honor to be, sir, with greatest respect, your obedient servant,

OSCAR WHITE,
Maj., Cmdg. Forty-eighth Virginia Infantry.

Capt. SAMUEL J. C. MOORE, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records Series I. Vol. 25. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 39




*****************************************************************************

Gettysburg after battle report:

P330637.gif


Reports of Lieut. Col. R. H. Dungan, Forty-eighth Virginia Infantry,
commanding regiment and Jones' brigade.

July 10, 1863.
Capt.: After the wounding of Brig. Gen. J. M. Jones, being
the ranking officer then present in the brigade, I took command of
it soon after it fell back from the enemy's immediate front.

As soon as the regiments could be collected, I moved the brigade
to within about 300 yards of the Yankee works, and extended on
the right the length of the brigade. The brigade occupied this position
till ordered this side of Gettysburg the ensuing night, about 10
o'clock.

I kept out a heavy line of skirmishers during the whole time, and
heavy skirmishing was kept up almost constantly, but with very
slight loss to the brigade. I have no complaint or special commendation
to make of either officers or men. All acted their several
parts satisfactorily.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. H. DUNGAN,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Jones' Brigade.

[Capt. Reuben Cleary,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]

----

July 10, 1863.
Capt.: During the engagements around Gettysburg, my regiment
occupied the part of the front line, between the left of the
Fiftieth and right of the Twenty-first Virginia Regt.'s, of our
brigade.

Late in the evening of the 2d instant, it advanced to the attack in
this position, and bravely maintained its ground till within about 10
paces of the enemy's works, when, from its reduced numbers in ranks,
together with the strength of the enemy and his strong position, I
ordered it back about 200 yards. It went into action with about 210
men and officers, and came out with a loss of 76 killed, wounded, and
missing. This tells how gallantly it acted its part, and I am glad to
report that no individual cases of cowardice have yet been reported
to me.

Of my officers, Capt.'s [J. M.] Vermillion and [C. W. S.] Harris
both fell, dead, while bravely urging their men onward in the struggle.
Among the living, Capt.'s [W.] Faris, [J. M.] Preston, and
[C. A.] Draper acted most gallantly, and deserve the highest commendation.

On the 3d, till about 10 o'clock at night, the regiment held its relative
position, about 300 paces in front of the enemy, when it retired
with the brigade this side of Gettysburg.

Respectfully submitted.

R. H. DUNGAN,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Regt.

[Capt. Reuben Cleary,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part II. Reports. Serial No. 44

**********************************************************************************
 
We've got Francis Marion Sorah who fought out west, he was in one of the four regiments to become part of the Army of Tennessee from Virginia. The other two were James and John Sorah

Burrell & Francis in the 37th & 48th were part of the Army of Northern Virginia.

James & John were in the 63rd Virginia. The 63rd became part of the Army of Tennessee and fought at Chickamauga.

Chickamagua after battle report:
Report of Maj. James M. French, Sixty-third Virginia Infantry.

CAMP SIXTY-THIRD VIRGINIA REGT.,
Near Chattanooga, Tenn., September 25, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
taken by this regiment in the action of September 19 and 20, on
Chickamauga River, Ga.:

My regiment having been detached as a guard for the ordnance
train, on the evening of the 19th, I was ordered to rejoin the
brigade, leaving two companies back as a guard with the
ordnance. I joined my brigade accordingly with eight companies,
where we were held in reserve.

On the morning of the 20th, it was moved with the remainder of
the brigade to a position in supporting distance of a battery,
protected by fortifications thrown up the night previous.

At about 3 p. m. it was moved with the brigade to the front in
the direction of Chattanooga and placed in line of battle,
Fifty-eighth North Carolina on the right, Fifth Kentucky on the
left, Sixty-third Virginia Regt. occupying the center. It was soon
afterward moved by the enemy. The enemy occupied a range of
ridges, from which they had successfully repulsed several
assaults made by our troops. The approach to the enemy's
position was very difficult, owing to deep ravines and
depressions partly covered with thick undergrowth. After
emerging from this thicket my regiment moved steadily on under
a heavy fire from the enemy until gaining the summit of the hill
upon which the enemy was posted. When within 15 paces of the
enemy, my regiment was halted and poured a deadly fire into his
ranks. The enemy gave way before them. I was in the act of
making a charge when I received information that they were our
friends we were firing upon. My regiment was ordered to cease
firing. This mistake gave the enemy time to rally, which he did,
taking position on a ridge at an angle of about 25.

Just here I would state that a portion of the Fifty-eighth North
Carolina, having been forced to fall back, left my right exposed
to an enfilading fire from the enemy. This fire was most terrific,
which caused me to change my front a little, retaining the ground
from
which we had driven the enemy. In this part of the
engagement I lost several of my best officers and men killed and
wounded.

An incessant fire was kept up until abut sundown, when the
enemy ceased firing.

The fifty-eighth North Carolina, Fifth Kentucky, and my
regiment advanced to within a short distance of the enemy, when
they proposed to surrender and laid down their arms. When we
arrived within about 40 yards of them, they retook their arms
and pored a heavy fire into our ranks, which caused us to fall
back a short distance to our position on the hill, from which
place we continued to fire into them. Our ammunition being
now almost exhausted, we supplied ourselves as far as possible
from the boxes of the killed and wounded. We again advanced
in conjunction with Col. Trigg's brigade, when we succeeded in
capturing 249 prisoners, including several field officers. The
prisoners being secured and sent to the rear, we encamped upon
the battle-ground.

I am pained to state that in this engagement I lost about one-third
of the number engaged in killed and wounded.

The position we took and held was the same from which some of
our troops had been twice repulsed.

The instanced of personal coolness, courage, and daring are too
numerous to mention. Both officers and men did their whole duty.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. FRENCH,
Maj., Comdg. Sixty-third Virginia Regt.

Capt. JOHN B. Maj.,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 447-51 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII.
[Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]
 
The 63rd Virginia was one of only four Virginia regiments that did not serve in the Army of Northern Virginia. Along with the 54th Va., they spent most of the war with Alexander Welch Reynolds' Brigade, Army of Tennessee.

My cousin's husband George Washington Collins enlisted in Company K on May 1, 1863 at age 49. Less than five months later, on September 20. 1863, he was killed at Chickamauga.
 
Burrell & Francis in the 37th & 48th were part of the Army of Northern Virginia.

James & John were in the 63rd Virginia. The 63rd became part of the Army of Tennessee and fought at Chickamauga.

Chickamagua after battle report:
Report of Maj. James M. French, Sixty-third Virginia Infantry.

CAMP SIXTY-THIRD VIRGINIA REGT.,
Near Chattanooga, Tenn., September 25, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
taken by this regiment in the action of September 19 and 20, on
Chickamauga River, Ga.:

My regiment having been detached as a guard for the ordnance
train, on the evening of the 19th, I was ordered to rejoin the
brigade, leaving two companies back as a guard with the
ordnance. I joined my brigade accordingly with eight companies,
where we were held in reserve.

On the morning of the 20th, it was moved with the remainder of
the brigade to a position in supporting distance of a battery,
protected by fortifications thrown up the night previous.

At about 3 p. m. it was moved with the brigade to the front in
the direction of Chattanooga and placed in line of battle,
Fifty-eighth North Carolina on the right, Fifth Kentucky on the
left, Sixty-third Virginia Regt. occupying the center. It was soon
afterward moved by the enemy. The enemy occupied a range of
ridges, from which they had successfully repulsed several
assaults made by our troops. The approach to the enemy's
position was very difficult, owing to deep ravines and
depressions partly covered with thick undergrowth. After
emerging from this thicket my regiment moved steadily on under
a heavy fire from the enemy until gaining the summit of the hill
upon which the enemy was posted. When within 15 paces of the
enemy, my regiment was halted and poured a deadly fire into his
ranks. The enemy gave way before them. I was in the act of
making a charge when I received information that they were our
friends we were firing upon. My regiment was ordered to cease
firing. This mistake gave the enemy time to rally, which he did,
taking position on a ridge at an angle of about 25.

Just here I would state that a portion of the Fifty-eighth North
Carolina, having been forced to fall back, left my right exposed
to an enfilading fire from the enemy. This fire was most terrific,
which caused me to change my front a little, retaining the ground
from
which we had driven the enemy. In this part of the
engagement I lost several of my best officers and men killed and
wounded.

An incessant fire was kept up until abut sundown, when the
enemy ceased firing.

The fifty-eighth North Carolina, Fifth Kentucky, and my
regiment advanced to within a short distance of the enemy, when
they proposed to surrender and laid down their arms. When we
arrived within about 40 yards of them, they retook their arms
and pored a heavy fire into our ranks, which caused us to fall
back a short distance to our position on the hill, from which
place we continued to fire into them. Our ammunition being
now almost exhausted, we supplied ourselves as far as possible
from the boxes of the killed and wounded. We again advanced
in conjunction with Col. Trigg's brigade, when we succeeded in
capturing 249 prisoners, including several field officers. The
prisoners being secured and sent to the rear, we encamped upon
the battle-ground.

I am pained to state that in this engagement I lost about one-third
of the number engaged in killed and wounded.

The position we took and held was the same from which some of
our troops had been twice repulsed.

The instanced of personal coolness, courage, and daring are too
numerous to mention. Both officers and men did their whole duty.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. FRENCH,
Maj., Comdg. Sixty-third Virginia Regt.

Capt. JOHN B. Maj.,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 447-51 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII.
[Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]

Along with the 54th Va.,

James O & John F. Sorah also appear on the rolls of the 54th Virginia Battalion. Toward the end of the war, several units in the Army of Tennessee consolidated, due to lack of numbers.
 
The following relates to the 45th Battalion, not the 54th Battalion. My bad, but because I can only edit the post (rather than delete it), here it is, apropos to nothing!

Another interesting member of the 45th was Sgt. Selkirk McCoy. He was from the McCoy family famous for its feud with the Hatfields. Selkirk was a nephew of Randolph McCoy and was the swing vote in the "Hog Trial"

"In the fall of 1878, Randolph McCoy brought charges against Floyd Hatfield for stealing one of his hogs. The resulting trial occurred here and was presided over by the local justice of the peace, Preacher Anderson Hatfield. Preacher Anderson was Devil Anse Hatfield's cousin and did not want to appear biased so he gathered a jury of six Hatfields and six McCoys to hear the case. When the jury reached its verdict, Selkirk McCoy, nephew of Sarah McCoy and a veteran of the Virginia Confederacy, sided with the six Hatfields in favor of Floyd. The McCoys felt betrayed and open hostilities soon erupted between the Haftield and McCoy families. Later Bill Staton, who testified in favor of his brother-in-law Floyd Hatfield was killed by two of Randolph McCoy's nephews while he was hunting. They were tried and acquitted in a trial presided over by Valentine Hatfield, uncle of Devil Anse. After this, violence between the families continued and the resulting conflict eventually escalated into the most famous family feud in American history."
 
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