The 12th Virginia Infantry ~ American Civil War Reenactors

Company C, The Petersburg Grays, (new)

Welcome to Company C of the 12th Virginia Infantry, also known as the Petersburg New Grays

Please join us at our monthly meetings.

Where: Colonial Heights Public Library, on the corner of Conduit Road & Yacht Basin Drive.

When: 7:00 pm on the fourth Wednesday each month.

Company C is based in the Tri-Cities. Our efforts center on battle reenactments, living histories, historical presentations, honor guard details and community activities in the Greater Petersburg Area. We are the sister company of Company B, based in Varina. We will fall-in with or alongside Company B at larger, joint events.

Our goal is to educate the general public about the War Between the States and the terrible events that took place around Petersburg. Therefore, we hope our members will take to the books as well as the fields. Our monthly meetings will include historical discussions and information on how to improve your impression.

Company C is a non-political, non-biased historical research and educational corporation that does not discriminate based on race, sex, national origin, religion, or age.

We accept applicants 12 years or older. Due to insurance regulations, members must be at least 16 to take the field under arms. Juvenile members must be under parental supervision at all times. Female members can portray either civilian or military. However, any woman who portrays a soldier must do her best to disguise herself as a man.

All uniforms and equipment are the responsibility of the member. Our policy allows one year to gather your necessary items. All items must pass our authenticity standards. Some members may have extra gear that you can borrow for a short time.

For more details, contact:

Captain Randy Watkins – 804-615-0107
Email: RangerWatkins74@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you on the field of battle.

Company C Dispatch – February, 2017 - Cick to download the PDF

12th Virginia Infantry School of the Soldier at Petersburg, Virginia

"This company was formed in 1859, as the "Old Grays" expanded. It can be assumed that the uniform of the Old Grays may have been worn by the New Greys; however the photograph of Private McKensie Dunlop, may show him in the attire of the Petersburg "New Grays", from 1860 or 1861. In the diary of Philip F. Brown, Reminiscenes of the War, 1861- 1865, Philip refers to being in the company of Donald "Doncie" McKensie Dunlop, "English" John Dunlop, and Pat McCulloch; as being Company B of the Grays, not in reference to the 12th Virginia Infantry designation.. From Page 9 of his book:

The next morning I volunteered in the "B" Grays of Petersburg, and on the 20th of April, 1861, we boarded a train enroute to Norfolk. Our organization was then known as the "Petersburg Battalion," comprising two companies of Grays (A and B), each 108 men, the "City Guard," "Petersburg Rifles," "The Lafayette Guards," and the "Nichols Battery of Artillery," The whole of Petersburg seemed to have turned out on that eventful April morning to bid us farewell, and mingled with tears, banners and handkerchiefs waving, we sped away over the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad, as it was then known. The Richmond Grays had preceded us a day, but were made a unit of the 12th Virginia.

There is some evidence to suggest that both Companies of the Grays wore a fatigue uniform consisting of a jacket, as well as the shirt and dress frock. However, there is no evidence to suggest that either company carried with them the dress uniform to Norfolk in 1861, and in one reference in Henderson's book, the men threw the knapsacks off the train as they headed to Norfolk, VA, believing they would not need them."

From Wikipedia

William Crawford Smith, Company C, Petersburg Greys, Virginia