The Fourth Alabama Painting by Don Troiani

Army of The Shenandoah

The complete Orders of Battle for troops of the Army of the Shenandoah commanded by General J E Johnston.

General J E Johnston

General J E Johnston commanding the combined armies of the Potomac and Shenandoah

The Armies of the Potomac and the Shenandoah were united at Bull Run (Manassas), on 20 July with General J E Johnston appointed as overall commander but with lesser knowledge of the ground and dispositions, field command of troops was deferred to Brigadier General P G T Beauregard on 21 July, 1861.

On 18 April, 1861 forces in and near Harper's Ferry under the command of Major General K Harper, Virginia State Militia, took possession of Harper's Ferry following the Federal evacuation of the city and burning of its armory. On 29 April Colonel T J Jackson,Virginia State Militia, assumed command of the militia elements and then on 24 May Brigadier General J E Johnston assumed command.

The District of Harpers Ferry was organised on 4 July and troops previously of this command were reorganised into five brigades as the Army of the Shenandoah on 20 June. On the 20 July, 1861, began a rapid merger with the Army of the Potomac.

Thomas Artillery

The Fifth Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah, under the command of Brigadier General E K Smith, was organised with the Ninth Alabama Infantry, Tenth Alabama Infantry, Eleventh Alabama Infantry, Nineteenth Mississippi Infantry, Thirty-eighth Virginia Infantry and Thomas Artillery. Only the Thomas Artillery, under the command of Colonel W N Pendleton, was present on 21 July 1861, as the rest of the brigade remained at Piedmont Station. Brigadier General E K Smith was assigned to command the Fourth Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah, on 21 July 1861.

Piedmont Station

The following remained at Piedmont Station and were not present on 21 July 1861; Ninth Georgia Infantry, 11th Georgia Infantry, First Kentucky Battalion Infantry, Second Kentucky Battalion Sharpshooters, Second Brigade; Companies B, C, D, E, F, G. H and I, Eleventh Mississippi Infantry and First Tennessee Infantry, Third Brigade; Ninth Alabama Infantry, Tenth Alabama Infantry, Eleventh Alabama Infantry, Nineteenth Mississippi Infantry and Thirty-eighth Virginia Infantry, Fifth Brigade.

The Army of Northern Virginia

After the first battle of Bull Run, Manassas, on 25 September, 1861, the Army of the Shenandoah became the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major General G W Smith with a First Corps under the command of Brigadier General P G T Bearegard. On 22 October, 1861, the Army of the Potomac was officially ended with the formation of the Department of Northern Virginia, which comprised three districts, Aquia District, Potomac District and the Valley District and was later renamed the Army of Northern Virginia on 14 March, 1862, under General J E Johnston.

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