Page News & Courier

Heritage and Heraldry

Page County's Confederate Reserve & Militia Organizations

Article of June 15, 2000

While there were five constantly active Confederate units (two infantry companies, two cavalry companies and one artillery company) formed almost exclusively from Page County, there were also some units formed as a part of the Virginia militia (1861-1862) and reserves (1864-1865). These organizations were primarily organized of men that could not serve with the regular army units for whatever reason.

Originally enlisted from July 1 - July 7, 1861, the 97th Virginia Militia was primarily formed of Page County (though some companies indicate commanders from surrounding counties) men who had not already joined regular Virginia organizations. Twelve companies (A through M) composed this organization. The 97th Regiment was one of eight regiments and one smaller militia to make up the 7th Brigade under Brigadier General Gilbert Simrall Meem. Other regiments and organizations in the 7th Brigade included the 58th (Rockingham), 116th (Rockingham), 145th (Rockingham), Infantry Company Second Class Militia (Harrisonburg), 13th (Shenandoah Co.), 136th (Shenandoah Co.), 146th (Shenandoah Co.), 97th (Page), and the 149th (Warren) Regiments.

Commanded by Colonel Mann Spitler, the 97th was called into service by the Governor on July 13, 1861, to rendezvous at Strasburg, except for companies already ordered to Beverly. Available records give some indication that the organization may have been disbanded in April 1862 by order of General T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson. The likely reason behind this would have been the need to "activate" those men who were able-bodied and could serve in the regular regiments of Jackson's army. Some men formerly from the 97th can be found to have later served with such units as the 10th and 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiments.

Nearly two years later, on May 28, 1864, Captain Thomas Keyser formed Keyser's Boy Company of Reserves in Page County. Consisting of boys between the ages of 17 and 18, no record has been found of this company completing its organization and it is likely that the company was merged into the 1st Battalion Valley Reserves. All members of the company are shown to have enlisted on May 28, 1864 at Luray. However, it is likely that another "Boy Company" was formed prior to Keyser's organization. An unusual item to note is that while Keyser's company had been enlisted toward the latter part of May, several members of his company are shown as having joined the 62nd Virginia Infantry on May 4, 1864.

Just over two months later, on August 9, 1864, the 8th Battalion Virginia Reserves, commanded by Major W.A.J. Miller, was organized with four companies (A through D), as the 1st Battalion Valley Reserves. However, it was not officially recognized and designated as the 8th Battalion Virginia Reserves until February 27, 1865.

Company B was known as the Page Reserves and was formerly known as Company B, 1st Battalion Valley Reserves. Though organized in August 1864, enlistment's of several men from the Page Reserves goes back to May 28, 1864, possibly reflecting enlistments of Thomas Keyser's Boy Company.

In late 1864, the battalion was temporarily broken up and a remnant served in the 3rd (Chrisman's) Battalion Virginia Reserve, under Major George Chrisman. The 3rd appears to have been a temporary consolidation of various battalions then known as the Valley Reserves (the Page County men were in Company C of this organization with J.W. Modesitt as captain). Records indicate that the Valley Reserve may have been a "paper" organization composed of old men and boys, most of who never reported for actual service.

Captains of the Page Reserves included W.A.J. Miller (promoted to major) and James William Modesitt.

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