2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Unusual report of Company ‘D’ the Champe Rifles, 8th Virginia Infantry, 2p. double folio, war-date, with brief history “This company was organized in Aldie Loudoun Co. Va. under Capta. Norborne Berkeley who was soon after appointed Maj. of the 8th Regmt. and Capt. Wm N. Berkeley elected Capt of the company on the 10th day of May 1861. Marched to Leesburg on the 18 day of May 1861 and was musetered into service as Co. D of the 8th Va. Inftry. This company was formed principally of young men from the vicinity of Middleburg and Aldie. It has participated in all the actions of the war in which the 8th Regiment has been engaged...” This unit was also called “Old Bloody Eighth” and often referred to as “The Berkeley Regiment” because its Colonel, Lt. Colonel, Major and one captain were the four Berkeley brothers. This unusual report, lists the officers and men with last names to “G” with their rank, vocation, and most importantly what happened to them in battle and remarks on their character. The battles recorded are Manassas, Leesburg, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, Fraizers Farm, 2nd Manassas, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg and “Action 16th June 64”. Several of the men have remarks such as “a very good man in fight” ; “a good soldier” etc. 2nd Lt. William Davis, has the following remark “1st Sergt. A organization, elected Lieut. at reorganization, killed while gallantly carrying the colors at the battle of Fraziers Farm...” Several are listed as being killed, wounded or taken prisoner at Gettysburg. Some paper loss affects several areas of remarks, still a wonderful and valuable supply of information. At Gettysburg, the 8th took position behind the artillery with 205 men in its ranks. It had been greatly reduced by its brilliant participation in the preceding battles of the war. Five men were killed in the artillery duel, and when the order to charge was given, two hundred heroes of the 8th regiment went into the charge, the most brilliant and heroic in the annals of the war. Hunton was wounded at the red barn, a little more than half-way in the charge. Gen. Garnett, the 8th's Brigade Commander, was killed cheering his men on. General Armistead, mortally wounded, expired one and a half days after the charge and General Kemper, though badly wounded, would survive. The men, rank and file, fell by the thousands. But the heroes of Pickett's Division charged on and onward with almost resistless fury; until they had driven the enemy from its first line behind a stone fence. By this time nearly all had been killed or wounded, and the enemy seeing how small their numbers were, rallied, and with fresh troops, killed, wounded or captured the small remnant of this heroic band. The flag of the 8th lay on the ground, lost along with its final bearer, no one able to retrieve it. The 16th Vermont picked it up as a prize of war. Thus ended the most brilliant charge of that or any other war. Of the two hundred men, as brave as ever carried musket, who went into that charge, only ten returned unhurt. One hundred ninety lost in killed, wounded and captured.
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