The Fourth Alabama Painting by Don Troiani

Army of Northeastern Virginia

The complete Orders of Battle for troops of the Army of Northeastern Virginia, commanded by Brigadier General I McDowell.

Brigadier General Irvin McDowell

Brigadier General Irvin McDowell commanding the troops of the Department of Northeastern Virginia

On 27 May, 1861, the Department of Northeastern Virginia was created to embrace part of Virginia east of the Allegheny mountains and north of the James River, except an area 60 miles around Fortress Monroe. Brigadier General I McDowell assumed command of the troops of the Department of Northeastern Virginia on 28 May, 1861, which were organised as five divisions with the Fourth Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, under the command of Brigadier General T Runyon, acting as a reserve to guard the lines of communication along the Potomac river (See the Fourth [Reserve] Brigade, Army of Northeastern Virginia).

McCunn's Brigade

Colonel J H McCunn was assigned as brigadier general to a brigade which was organised at Washington D. C. on 20 July, 1861, to act as support to the Army of Northeastern Virginia and consisted of the 15th New York Infantry, the 25th New York Infantry, the 26th New York Infantry and the 37th New York Infantry (See McCunn's brigade).

United States Army

Eight companies of the United States Infantry were organised as a temporary battalion, under the command of Major G Sykes, 14th United States Infantry, and was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia (See the United States Battalion Infantry). Seven companies of the United States Cavalry were organised as a temporary battalion, under the command of Major I N Palmer, 2nd United States Cavalry, and the companies were detached and assigned to several brigades (See the United States Battalion Cavalry). Several companies of United States Artillery, under the command of Major W F Barry, chief of artillery, Army of Northeastern Virginia, and were assigned to several brigades. On 14 July, 1861, Colonel J Harris, United States Marine Corps, organised four companies of United States Marines Corps , under the command of Major J G Reynolds, for temporary field service and was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia (See the United States Marine Corps Battalion).

Three Months Volunteers

Varian's Light Artillery, 8th New York State Militia, Company I, and the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry were mustered in United States service for three months and, as their terms of service expired on 17 and 20 July, 1861, respectively, they were ordered to return to Washington D. C. Varian's Light Artillery was mustered out at New York city on 2 August, 1861, and the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on 27 July, 1861. The six pieces of Varian's Light Artillery, were ordered to remain in the camp of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry and were manned by detachments of the 8th New York Infantry and the 29th New York Infantry, under the command of Captain C Bookwood, 29th New York Infantry, Company H, at the first battle of Bull Run (See Bookwood's Independent Light Artillery).

Brethschneider's Light Battalion Infantry

Brethschneider's Light Battalion Infantry was organised by Colonel I B Richardson prior to 18 July, 1861, with detachments of forty men from each regiment of the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, 160 men, under the command of Captain G R Brethschneider, 2nd Michigan Infantry, Company E. (See Brethschneider's Battalion Infantry).

United States Corps Engineers

The United States Corps Engineers, Company A, under the command of First Lieutenant J C Duane, was on detached duty at Fort Pickens, Florida, and did not participate in the first battle of Bull Run. Several officers of the United States Corps Engineers, under the command of Major J B Barnard, were assigned to several brigades (See the United States Corps Engineers).

The Army of the Potomac

After the first battle of Bull Run, Manassas, the Department of Northeastern Virginia, commanded by Brigadier General I McDowell, the Department of Washington D. C., commanded by Brigadier General J K Mansfield, the Department of the Maryland (formerly Annapolis), commanded by Major General J A Dix and the Department of Pennsylvania, commanded by Major General R Patterson, were consolidated into the Department of the Potomac (Army of the Potomac), commanded by Major General G B McClellan, on 25 July, 1861.

If you have information regarding brigade or company assignments and/or organisation please contact Jonathan Soffe at info@firstbullrun.co.uk.