The 12th Virginia Infantry ~ American Civil War Reenactors

Company B, The Petersburg Grays (old)

Hello and warmest Southern greetings! This is the homepage for the 12th Virginia Infantry, Company B. We are American Civil War reenactors dedicated to providing a high degree of authenticity while honoring our ancestors.

Originally a militia unit based in Petersburg, Virginia, the Petersburg Grays was one of the military units to quickly come to the defense of our home state in 1861 when called upon. The modern-day 12th Virginia Infantry is a “progressive” reenactment unit that does a wide variety of events throughout the American East. Living history, battle reenactments, preservation events, all these are part of what we do.

Affiliated with “Longstreet’s Corps“, the 12th Virginia Infantry is a family-friendly unit that welcomes participation from our lady members, civilians, and long-distance members. Like to join us? Enlist now!

12th Virginia Infantry Reenactors at Petersburg, Virginia

"The uniform of the Petersburg Grays was copied from the 7th New York Infantry (militia), and as such evolved from the tail coat to the frock coat during the 1850s. One image of a member of the company from 1861, (Private Donald McKenzie Dunlop,) depicts him in both the Dress uniform and the fatigue uniform. It can be assumed that this uniform may be worn company-wide, as the original unit comprised the middle and upper classes of the city; however, it is possible that this man could have been one of only a few to wear the uniform. Here is what the dress uniform image shows: The frockcoat is Cadet Grey, being the lighter shade found in VMI and West Point Academy uniforms, 9 button front, the collar has black or navy blue piping along the edge, and gold lace either 3/8” or ½” with approx. ½”-3/4” space in the center, and a 7/8” is at the rear of the lace, three gold or yellow squares adorn the cuffs, with a 7/8” button in the center of each square: White accoutrement straps, (the image, despite the clarity of it, is not fine enough to show whether or not Pvt. Dunlop wears leather or cotton straps and belting,) the white accoutrement straps have a brass, circular, (not oval) center plate; he wears the 1850 or 1860 pattern VA state militia belt plate; He wears epaulettes, either navy blue or black boards, with white fringe, 2.5-3” long; The image also shows the shako, very similar to the 1861 US artillery or the U.S.M.A. pattern, with the 1821 eagle device on the front, toward the crown, a large wreath (approx. 3-4" in width) with a large gothic B in the center,(indicating that the image may have been taken between 1859-1861), and a pompom, barely visible, being black or navy blue: The trousers he wears also has a wide stripe down the center, being 1.5”-2” in width, the exact pattern cannot be determined from the image, as the skirt of the coat covers most of the trousers. The second image shows the same man in the fatigue dress, most likely worn under the coat. A forage cap, being navy blue, or black, (one description read dark and light greys used, similar to the 13th VA Inf. Cap,) in the McDowell design, the center disc being smaller in proportion than the US Regulation 1858 cap, the brim is shined, possibly lacquered: The battle shirt worn is of a lighter shade material than the coat and trousers, with a stand and fall collar, no color trim, 6-7 button front, small buttons are used (possibly civilian), two low set pockets, and a cravat is worn: He wears the 11 button suspender pattern trousers, however, the pockets and seams cannot be seen in this image, so as to give reference to the source of his uniform."

From Wikipedia

Private McKensie Dunlop in his fatigue uniform, of Co. C, Petersburg Greys, 12th Virginia Infantry, in 1861.