Halfplate Ambrotype of Lieutenant Robert Burwell Edington, Company E, 42nd Virginia Infantry, “Dixie Grays” – Mortally Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863

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NEW PRICING!  Halfplate Ambrotype of Lieutenant Robert Burwell Edington, Company E, 42nd Virginia Infantry, “Dixie Grays” – Mortally Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863 – This image, a half-plate relievo ambrotype, housed in a full leatherette case, is somewhat misty in appearance; it was probably taken in 1862, somewhere in Western Virginia.  Robert Edington is enumerated, in period enlistment and census records, as a 19-year-old laborer, living at Roanoke Red Sulphur Springs, Roanoke County, Virginia, in 1861.  Philip Eddington, family patriarch and grandfather of Robert B. Edington, and his family were people of wealth and influence and owned a number of slaves and several significant farms.  Philip Edington’s grandsons were members of the local military entity, “The Dixie Grays.”  Joseph Eddington, second Corporal, died in 1862 in a hospital.  James P. Eddington, a private, was wounded in 1862 at Kernstown; Robert Burwell Edington entered the Confederate Army, at an unspecified rank, in the “Dixie Grays,” at Salem, Virginia; ultimately, the company would become Company E of the 42nd Virginia Infantry.  Edington was elected 3rd Lieutenant of his company, on April 4, 1861.

In this striking image, Edington appears in an early war, Confederate, shell jacket, with a foot officer’s sword and what appears to be insignia on the collar and shoulders of his jacket. The single, wide branch of service stripe down his pants’ legs, are indicative of his rank as an NCO or junior officer.  In an unusual aspect of his pose, Edington displays the underside of his kepi; he is wearing an early, rectangular, militia belt plate affixed to his sword belt.  Edington’s record indicates that after his April 1862 promotion, he was in command of his company several times prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, in July 1863. Edington’s appearance in this photograph connotes his rank as that of a commissioned officer, indicating that the photograph was taken after his election to 3rd Lieutenant, in April 1862.

The 42nd Virginia fought in western Virginia from July through December 1861; thereafter, it participated in all of the major actions under the direction of General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, through the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 1-3, 1863.  The regiment fought at Culps Hill, during the Battle of Gettysburg, as part of the Second Corps, under General Richard S. Ewell.  During intense fighting on July 2, Edington was severely wounded and sent to the W. Henry Montford Farm where General Allegheny Johnson’s Division Hospital had been established.  At this hospital, Edington succumbed to his wounds, on July 4.  It is conceivable that Edington’s remains were transferred to Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery, in the early postwar years, although no record exists to confirm that process.

The image is housed in a full, leatherette case. This ambrotype was held in the family collection of Bedford, Virginia, chief of police James Day.

Author and researcher Gregory Coco noted that “…on the W. H. Montford farm there are five distinctive places where burials were noted, one of which was under a locust tree opposite the barn.”  Coco photographed the field where these graves were located and includes a photograph in his book Wasted Valor:  The Confederate Dead at Gettysburg.

Robert B. Edington

Residence was not listed; Enlisted on 6/4/1861 at Salem as a Private. On 6/4/1861 he mustered into “E” Co. VA 42nd Infantry He died of wounds on 7/4/1863 at Gettysburg, PA  He was listed as:* Detailed 2/28/1862 (place not stated) (For recruiting dity)* Wounded 7/2/1863 Gettysburg, PA  Promotions:* 3rd Lieut 4/21/1862

Name:Robert B Edington
Enlistment Date:4 Jun 1861
Enlistment Place:Salem
Enlistment Rank:Private
Muster Date:4 Jun 1861
Muster Place:Virginia
Muster Company:E
Muster Regiment:42nd Infantry
Muster Regiment Type:Infantry
Muster Information:Enlisted
Rank Change Date:21 Apr 1862
Rank Change Rank:3rd Lieutenant
Casualty Date:2 Jul 1863
Casualty Place:Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Type of Casualty:Wounded
Muster Out Date:4 Jul 1863
Muster Out Place:Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Muster Out Information:died wounds
Side of War:Confederacy

42nd VA Infantry

Organized: on 7/1/61
Mustered Out: 4/9/65 at Appomattox Court House
FromToBrigadeDivisionCorpsArmyComment
Aug ’61Nov ’61Burks’Army of Northwest
Nov ’61Dec ’61Gilham’sLoring’sArmy of Northwest
Dec ’61May ’622ndValley DistrictDept of Northern Virginia
May ’62Jun ’622ndJackson’sValley DistrictDept of Northern Virginia
Jun ’62May ’64J.R. Jones’/J.M. Jones’Jackson’s/Trimble’s/Johnson’s2ndArmy of Northern Virginia
May ’64Jun ’64Terry’s ConsolidatedGordon’s2ndArmy of Northern Virginia
Jun ’64Dec ’64Terry’s ConsolidatedGordon’sValley DistrictDept of Northern Virginia
Dec ’64Apr ’65Terry’s ConsolidatedGordon’s2ndArmy of Northern Virginia

 

Name:Robert B Edington
Gender:Male
Race:White
Residence Age:9
Birth Date:1841
Birthplace:Virginia
Residence Date:1850
Home in 1850:District 57, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Attended School:Yes
Line Number:4
Dwelling Number:598
Family Number:598
Household Members:
NameAge
Philip Edington78
James Edington51
Louisa Edington47
Mary A Edington25
Sarah J Edington25
James P Edington19
Amanda F Edington16
Joseph B Edington14
Liddy E Edington12
Robert B Edington9

Robert B. Edington

BIRTH

31 Oct 1841

Roanoke County, Virginia, USA

DEATH

4 Jul 1863 (aged 21)

Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, USA

BURIAL

Edington Cemetery

Roanoke County, Virginia

NameRobert B. Edington
GenderMale
Birth Date31 Oct 1841
Birth PlaceRoanoke County, Virginia, United States of America
Death Date4 Jul 1863
Death PlaceGettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States of America
CemeteryEdington Cemetery
Burial or Cremation PlaceRoanoke County, Virginia, United States of America
FatherJames Frank Edington
MotherLouisa Edington

42nd Regiment, Virginia Infantry

OVERVIEW:

42nd Infantry Regiment, organized at Staunton, Virginia, in July, 1861, recruited its members in Henry, Floyd, Bedford, Campbell, Roanoke, Patrick, and Franklin counties. After fighting at First Kernstown and in Jackson’s Valley Campaign, the unit was assigned to J.R. Jones’ and W. Terry’s Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active in many conflicts from the Seven Days’ Battles to Cold Harbor, then moved with Early to the Shenandoah Valley and was involved in the Appomattox operations. This regiment reported 70 casualties at First Kernstown and totalled 750 effectives in May, 1862. It sustained no losses during the Seven Days’ Battles but had many at Cedar Mountain. There were 62 disabled at Second Manassas, 26 at Fredericksburg, and 135 at Chancellorsville. Of the 265 engaged at Gettysburg, twenty-one percent were killed, wounded, or missing. Only 1 officer and 44 men surrendered. The field officers were Colonels Jesse S. Burks, Andrew J. Deyerle, John E. Penn, and R.W.Withers; Lieutenant Colonels Daniel A. Langhorne, William Martin, and Samuel H. Saunders; and Majors P.B. Adams, Henry Lane, and Jesse M. Richardson.

42nd Virginia Infantry Regiment
Flag of Virginia, 1861
ActiveJuly 1861 – April 1865
DisbandedApril 1865
CountryConfederacy
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Branch Confederate States Army
TypeInfantry
EngagementsAmerican Civil War

·       First Battle of Kernstown

·       Jackson’s Valley Campaign

·       Seven Days’ Battles

·       Battle of Cedar Mountain

·       Second Battle of Bull Run

·       Battle of Antietam

·       Battle of Fredericksburg

·       Battle of Chancellorsville

·       Battle of Gettysburg

·       Battle of Cold Harbor

·       Siege of Petersburg

·       Battle of Sayler’s Creek

·       Appomattox Campaign

The 42nd Virginia Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia.

Brunswick County native Andrew J. Winn, 42nd Virginia Infantry, Confederate States of America. Died at Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, May 1864

History

The 42nd Virginia, organized at Staunton, Virginia, in July 1861, recruited its members in Henry, Floyd, Bedford, Campbell, Roanoke, Patrick, and Franklin counties.

After fighting at First Kernstown and in Jackson’s Valley Campaign, the unit was assigned to J.R. Jones’ and W. Terry’s Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active in many conflicts from the Seven Days’ Battles to Cold Harbor, then moved with Early to the Shenandoah Valley and was involved in the Appomattox operations. This regiment reported 70 casualties at First Kernstown and totaled 750 effectives in May 1862. It sustained no losses during the Seven Days’ Battles but had many at Cedar Mountain. There were 62 disabled at Second Manassas, 26 at Fredericksburg, and 135 at Chancellorsville. Of the 265 engaged at Gettysburg, twenty-one percent were killed, wounded, or missing. Only 1 officer and 44 men surrendered.[1][2]

Field officers

The field officers were Colonels Jesse S. Burks, Andrew J. Deyerle, John E. Penn, and R. W. Withers; Lieutenant Colonels Daniel A. Langhorne, William Martin, and Samuel H. Saunders; and Majors P. B. Adams, Henry Lane, and Jesse M. Richardson.

42nd Virginia Infantry Regiment

1861
JulyThe 42nd Virginia Infantry Regiment was organized at Staunton for one years service under the command of Colonel Jesse S. Burks, Lieutenant Colonel D. A. Langhorne and Major Berbeck P. Adams.Company A (Henry Volunteers) – Henry County
Company B (Floyd Guards) – Floyd County
Company C (Buford Grays) – Bedford County
Company D (Campbell-Lee Guards) Campbell County
Company E (Dixie Grays) – Roanoke County
Company F (Leatherwood Fencibles) – Henry County
Company G (Second Company of Volunteers) –  Henry County
Company H (Patrick Henry Volunteers) – Patrick County
Company I (Campbell Guards) – Campbell County
Company K (Franklin Invincibles) – Franklin County
August-NovemberAssigned to Burks’s Brigade, Army of the Northwest
August-NovemberAssigned to Gilham’s Brigade, Loring’s Division, Army of the Northwest
December-MayAssigned to the 2nd Brigade, Jackson’s Division, Army of the Valley District. Colonel Burks took command of the brigade, while Lieutenant Colonel Langhorne commanded the regiment.
1862
March 23Battle of Kernstown

The regiment lost 70 casualties. Colonel Burks was wounded and disabled.

April 23Lieutenant Colonel Langhorne and Major Adams were dropped in the reorganization. William T. Martin was elected lieutenant colonel.
May-JuneAssigned to the 2nd Brigade, Jackson’s Division, Army of the Valley District.
May 8Battle of McDowell

The regiment lost3 men wounded.

May 25First Battle of Winchester

Major Henry Lane was wounded.

June-May ’64Assigned to the J.R. Jones’s-J.M. Jones’s Brigade, Jackson’s-Trimble’s-Johnson’s Division, Jackson’s Command-2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
June 8Battle of Cross Keyes
June 9Battle of Port Republic
July 1Battle of Malvern Hill
July 21Colonel Burks resigned due to disability from his Kernstown wound.
August 9Battle of Cedar Mountain
August 28-30Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The regiment lost 62 men.

September 10-12Siege of Harpers Ferry
 September 17Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The regiment was commanded by Captain Robert W. Withers. He took over command of the brigade when Captain Page of the 21st Virginia was severely wounded. Captain David W. Garrett took over the regiment.

From the War Department marker for Jones’ Brigade on the Antietam battlefield:

On the evening of September 16, Jones’ Brigade formed line on the left of Winder’s, its right about 130 yards west of this, its left extending nearly to the West Woods. Skirmishers were advanced about 250 to 275 yards and became slightly engaged and the Brigade came under an annoying artillery fire. In this position it was attacked by Doubleday’s Division early in the morning of the 17th, and, after more than a half hour’s hard fighting, was forced back to the line held by the Brigades of Starke and Taliaferro. It was re-formed and, with Winder’s Brigade, supported the advance of Starke’s and Taliaferro’s Brigades a half hour later, but was again compelled to retire. Supported by Early’s brigade of Ewell’s Division, the entire Division again advanced and again fell back and reformed beyond the West Woods, where it supported the attack of McLaws’ Division on Sedgwick’s Federal Division.

December 13Battle of Fredericksburg

The 42nd Virginia lost 26 men.

1863
AprilCaptain Robert W. Withers was promoted to lieutenant colonel, to rank from November of 1862.
May 1-4Battle of Chancellorsville

The regiment lost 135 men.

May 28Assigned to Jones’ Brigade of Johnston’s Division of the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
July 1-3Battle of Gettysburg

The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Woodson Withers, and brought 265 men to the field. It lost 16 killed, 47 wounded and 26 missing or captured. Lieutenant Colonel Withers was wounded on July 2 attacking Culp’s Hill, and Captain Jesse M. Richardson took command.

From the War Department marker for Jones’ Division on the Gettysburg battlefield:

July 1. Arrived near nightfall and took position east of Rock Creek and north of Hanover road with pickets advanced to the front.

July 2. About 4 P. M. moved forward to support artillery on Benner’s Hill. Crossed Rock Creek at 6 P. M. and assailed the Union position on the summit of Culp’s Hill charging up to the Union breastworks and continuing the struggle until dark.

July 3. In line near here all day sometimes skirmishing heavily. About midnight moved with the Division and Corps to Seminary Ridge northwest of the town.

July 4. Occupied Seminary Ridge. About 10 P. M. began the march to Hagerstown.

OctoberBristoe Campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel Withers recovered from his Gettysburg wound and returned to command.

NovemberMine Run Campaign
1864
FebruaryLieutenant Colonel Withers was promoted to colonel.
May 5-6The Wilderness
May 8-21Spotsylvania Court House
May 12Most of the regiment was captured at the Muleshoe Salient along with the rest of Johnson’s Division
May 21The survivors of the regiment were consolidated with the rest of Jones’ brigade under Colonel Robert H. Dungan of the 48th Virginia. These and the survivors of Steuart’s Brigade and the Stonewall Brigade were consolidated into a brigade under Brigadier General William Terry in Gordon’s Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
May 22-26Battle of North Anna
June 1-3Cold Harbor
JuneShenandoah Valley Campaign

Sent to the Shenandoah Valley as part of Early’s Army of the Valley attached to Terry’s Consolidated Brigade, Gordon’s Division, Second Corps (Maj. Gen. John Breckinridge), Army of the Valley

June 17-18Battle of Lynchburg
June 19-21Pursuit of Hunter
June 22Day of rest at Salem
June 23-26Advance into the Shenandoah Valley to Staunton
June 28-July 2Advance from Staunton to near Harpers Ferry
July 5-6Crossed the Potomac at Boteler’s Ford and advances to west of Frederick
July 9Battle of Monocacy
July 10The advance on Washington continued through an extremely hot day.
July 11-12Battle of Fort Stevens
July 13-15Left Washington, crossed the Potomac at White’s Ford, and marched across Loudon County.
July 16Crossed the Blue Ridge at Snickers Gap to Berryville
July 19Moved to Strasburg
July 24Second Battle of Kernstown
August 8At Bunker Hill
August 10To Winchester
August 12To Fisher’s Hill
August 17Returned to Winchester and Bunker Hill.
August 22To Charles Town
August 25-26Feint toward Williamsport and return to Bunker Hill. Colonel Withers was wounded through the left lung and captured.
September 5To Winchester
September 19Third Battle of Winchester
September 22Battle of Fisher’s Hill
October 19Battle of Cedar Creek
NovemberColonel Withers was exchanged but remained on sick leave in hospital at Lynchburg until the end of the war.
DecemberPetersburg Siege

The regiment returned from the Army of the Valley to Lee’s main army around Petersburg, attached to Terry’s Consolidated Brigade, Gordon’s Division (Brig. Gen. Clement Evans), Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

1865
February 5Battle of Hatcher’s Run
March 25Assault on Fort Stedman
April 6Battle of Sayler’s Creek
April 9Appomattox Court House

The 42nd Virginia surrendered 1 officer and 44 enlisted men.