The Lousy 33rd Virginia received its title after being the first regiment in the brigade to collect lice. See "Stonewall Jackson as Military Commander", page 231.

Gettysburg after battle report: Reports of Capt. J. B. Golladay, Thirty-third Virginia Infantry. June 19, 1863. Sir: A report of the operations of the Thirty-third Regt. Virginia Infantry around Winchester, Va., being called for, the following brief one is submitted: Pursuing the Winchester and Front Royal road, about noon on Saturday, the 13th instant, the regiment arrived at a point 2 or 2 1/2 miles distant from Winchester, when, conforming to the movements of the regiments on its right, it filed off to the right of said road, and was formed with the rest of the brigade in line of battle, and the skirmishers and sharpshooters thrown forward, in pursuance of orders from brigade commander. In this position it remained a short time, and then was advanced by the right flank from a half of a mile to a mile farther in the direction of Winchester, its course being so directed as to conceal it almost, if not entirely, from view of the enemy, where it was again formed in line of battle, and afterward arms stacked. Here it remained until the morning of the 14th instant, when it again moved by a circuitous and hidden route to within a half mile of and southeast from Winchester, and halted and stacked arms in a hollow, where it was perfectly concealed. On this day there was continuous and at times heavy skirmishing kept up with the enemy, who occupied the suburbs of the town, in which this regiment did not participate. About 12 o'clock on the night of the 14th instant, the regiment moved by a circuitous way from the last position occupied, striking and pursuing the Berryville road several miles, and then taking a road leading by Jordan Springs in the direction of Stephenson's Depot, and when it arrived at a point about a half or three-quarters of a mile distant from the Winchester and Martinsburg turnpike, the command by the left flank was given, and, advancing in line of battle a short distance, the enemy was discovered in some force, and the regiment, being upon the extreme left, was subjected to a desultory fire from him, which resulted only in the wounding of one of its number, which fire was not returned by the regiment, orders having been received not to fire until ordered to do so. Here, while advancing toward the fleeing enemy, orders were received to move by the right flank (which, though not appreciated at that time, were subsequently fully appreciated), and, moving thus a short distance, the command was given to move by the left flank; and, moving in this direction in line of battle, we first crossed the Winchester and Potomac Railroad, and then the Winchester and Martinsburg macadamized road, and proceeding about a half mile north of the latter, came in contact with parts of five or six regiments of the enemy, who surrendered themselves, together with five or six stand of colors, to the general commanding, without the firing of a gun. In pursuance of orders received, a detail was sent out at once to gather together the scattered enemy, which was attended with considerable success. It is proper to state that the instructions received from the brigade commander were to conform the movements of the Thirty-third Virginia Regt. to those of the regiments on my right until instructed to the contrary. It is also deemed proper to state that the Thirty-third Virginia Regt. was in the rear (which by common consent is the most irksome position either on the march or in the maneuvering of a brigade), and the march being rapid and laborious from the immediate vicinity of Winchester to Stephenson's Depot, explains any seeming tardiness in conforming the movements of this regiment to those of the right regiments. The only loss sustained by the regiment has been incidentally mentioned in the foregoing report of its operations around Winchester, and the short list of casualties, as well as the success attending those operations, are believed to be attributable in a great measure to the consummate skill and dexterity with which this and the other regiments were handled by the brigade commander. Very respectfully submitted, &c. J. B. GOLLADAY, Capt., Comdg. Regt. Lieut. C. S. Arnall, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen. July 16, 1863 Sir: In pursuance to an order to report the operations of the Thirty-third Regt. Virginia Infantry around Gettysburg, Pa., the following brief one is submitted: Leaving bivouac near Chambersburg, the regiment reached Gettysburg late on the evening of the 1st instant, and halted for several hours on the battle-ground of that day, and some time during the night took position with the balance of the brigade on the extreme left. In this position it remained the residue of the night and until late in the evening of the succeeding day, nothing being done excepting by its skirmishers and sharpshooters, who were advanced and deployed immediately after the line of battle was formed. It may be well to state here that during the day its skirmishers gained ground upon those of the enemy confronting them, inflicting loss and receiving none whatever. Late in the evening of the 2d, the regiment took and occupied momentarily a position several hundred yards in advance of the one previously occupied, and then, moving by the left flank, took and occupied a position forming an oblique angle to the position first taken. The movements of the skirmishers conformed to those of the regiment all the while. Immediately after nightfall, the skirmishers were withdrawn, and the regiment quitted the position last occupied, and moved what was supposed to be a mile or two to the right of the position taken the preceding night, where it rested the greater part of the night. About 3 a. m. [3d], it was aroused, and marched off a short distance, when it found itself directly in the presence of the enemy. After daybreak, the regiment in line of battle advanced upon the enemy, strongly intrenched in a most advantageous position, and engaged him at intervals for about five hours. It is true that the supply of ammunition was exhausted after an hour or two of spirited fighting, but at the same time partial supplies were obtained upon the field, and thus part of the regiment was engaged for the length of time mentioned. The regiment was then withdrawn, and after it was gotten in some sort of order, replenished its exhausted stock of ammunition, &c., it was moved by the right flank, and, forming a line of battle several hundred yards to the right of the first position, advanced upon the enemy, and engaged him for half an hour or an hour. It was withdrawn from the position last named and marched to the rear, where it remained long enough to get some rest, and replenish once more its nearly exhausted ammunition. About the middle of the afternoon, it was marched again back to the scene of action, taking a position still farther to the right of the first and second positions occupied by it in the earlier part of the day's engagement. Here it remained until after nightfall, when it quietly retired, nothing having occurred but skirmishing. It would be invidious to speak of the bearing of particular officers and men, when all manifested such remarkable coolness and intrepidity during the sanguinary conflict. The loss of Capt.'s [G. C.] Eastham and [George R.] Bedinger is felt and mourned (the first falling to rise no more on the evening of the 2d instant, and the latter on the morning of the 3d instant, perhaps farther in advance of the line of battle than any other officer or man), as well as a list of non-commissioned officers and privates, who certainly composed part of the flower of the regiment. The accompanying list of killed, wounded, and missing,* prepared with the greatest care with reference to brevity, exhibits the actual loss sustained. I am, very respectfully, yours, J. B. GOLLADAY, Capt., Comdg. Thirty-third Virginia Infantry. Lieut. C. S. Arnall, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part II. Reports. Serial No. 44

Virginia 33rd Volunteer Infantry (Confederate)

Related Records