The 49th Virginia Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. was the pride and joy of the 64 year old ex-governor of Virginia, William Smith. "Extra Billy Smith's Boy's" as the 49th came to be known, was originally recruited from Warren County VA, part of the "Warren Blues." The 49th Virginia participated in all major actions of the Eastern Theater, beginning with an initial group of some 210 recruits, who participated in the 1st Battle of Bull Run or Manassas.

The 49th Virginia Infantry regiment was made up of men from Warren, Amherst, Prince William, Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Nelson counties. The 49th served in all major battles in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. At the Battle of Seven Pines, the 49th suffered 55% casualties. By the time of Appomattox in April of 1865, there were only 54 men and two officers left to be paroled.

►At Antietam (Sharpsburg), 1862; 49th Virginia was in Jackson's Corps; Ewell's Division; Early's Brigade

►At 2nd Manassas, 1862; 49th Virginia was in Jackson's Corps; Ewell's Division; Early's Brigade

►At Fredericksburg, 1862; 49th Virginia was in Jackson's Corps; Ewell's Division; Early's Brigade

►At Chancellorsville, 1863; 49th Virginia was in Jackson's Corps; Early's Division; Smith's Brigade

►At Gettysburg, 1863; 49th Virginia was in Ewell's Corps; Early's Division; Smith's Brigade

►At Cold Harbor, 1864; 49th Virginia was in Ewell's Corps; Early's Division; Pegram's Brigade

►At The Wilderness, 1864; 49th Virginia was in Ewell's Corps; Early's Division; Pegram's Brigade

►At Spotsylvania Court House, 1864; 49th Virginia was in Ewell's Corps; Early's Division;

Pegram's Brigade