The 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry

Welcome to our web page. We are an Arizona based association portraying a company of "Gentlemen Volunteers" of Virginia, with a particular emphasis on the 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry during the early to middle part of the War Between the States as well as a strong secondary portrayal of the Winchester Rifles of the 2nd Virginia Infantry of the famous Stonewall Brigade. We are also at work adding/developing/expanding our ability to portray both sides of the American Revolution and a northern regiment of the Civil War.

We are family-based, family-focused and family-inclusive with the goal of safe, interactive education in a wholesome, family-friendly environment. Our standards for participating are high.

Let us begin with a little Virginia history.

Virginia, known as "The Old Dominion," was the first established of the thirteen colonies and birthplace to four of the first five Presidents of the United States. She was America's leader in many regards during the Colonial era, the American Revolution and long after Independence was won. By the early Spring of 1861, though many southern states had departed, Virginia remained in the Union. But when the federal government demanded that Virginia raise a quota of soldiers to invade The South it was clear that there was no longer any hope for diplomacy or neutrality. A decision would have to be made. Virginians made their decision and responded to the crisis by voting overwhelmingly to exercise what they believed to be their constitutional right of secession. (In 1788 Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution with the specific caveat that she was reserving the right to resume at any time all powers delegated to the federal government and thus withdraw from the Union. Others states including New York and Rhode Island did the same and the legal right of secession was clearly asserted by both northern and southern states, political leaders and legal scholars right up to the point of the War Between the States.) As a consequence of exercising her right, Virginia herself was immediately invaded and men from all over the state voluntarily organized into companies for her defense. A state flag was soon adopted which showed the resolve of these volunteers. The flag was in essence the famous "Bonnie Blue Flag" but with the star replaced by a white disc containing the obverse of the Virginia state seal which had been designed by patriot George Wythe back in 1776. The seal featured a victorious "Virtue" trampling "Tyranny" underfoot. Virtue stands erect with her sword sheathed, her spear at rest and her foot on a prostrate and defeated Tyranny whose chain is broken, whose scourge lies useless and whose crown has been cast off. The motto "Sic semper tyrannis" translates as "Thus always to tyrants." The message was clear. Virginians saw themselves as standing for the same principles in 1861 which had motivated their forefathers in 1776. By the Fall of 1861 most Virginia regiments had been provided with one of these flags which is, other than small changes made in 1930, still the basis of the Virginia flag of today.

Our volunteers hail from Flagstaff, Prescott, Payson, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon, Coolidge, Maricopa, Tucson, Hereford and Bisbee in Arizona and from the state of Colorado as well. We have chosen our uniform to match both photographic and written evidence regarding the 1st Virginia, an attractive style similar to many used by volunteer companies across The South. By aspiring to the portrayal of a company largely made up of Virginia gentlemen we gladly embrace a higher learning curve in terms of etiquette, a level of conversational ability that would be expected of educated persons and the challenges of period portrayals. When we are in uniform and in front of the public then we are also in character. We realize that our high aspirations may always be a work in progress but choose to aspire nevertheless. Though we are able to represent other units and other theaters if required, our main impression which we favor is the 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry, a famed unit made up of gentlemen from Richmond and Henrico County which served admirably in the Army of Northern Virginia.

As historical reenactors and living historians we have a desire for a greater experience of our own heritage and an opportunity to educate and inspire the public with the same. However, we are not interested in revisiting the bitterness of the Civil War and do not consider those on the other "side" as enemies but rather as friends and fellow reenactors with similar goals. We have neither dues nor a burdensome organizational structure, but are a voluntary association of gentlemen of high ideals. We are "family friendly" and wholeheartedly welcome appropriate involvement of civilian ladies, civilian gentlemen and children as well. We also respect the value of everyone's time and hold only occasional meetings for specific purposes.

The First Virginia Volunteer Infantry is a proud part of Civil War reenacting in Arizona and in major events on the East Coast as well. We are family-friendly, education and service oriented and have grown to over 100 soldiers and civilians. Beyond battlefield participation at educational, family-focused events such as the American Heritage Festival, The Battle of Winchester and living history demonstrations in support of Arizona families most of us also take part in social activities such as historic period Balls sponsored by We Make History. We support positive Civil War reenacting and respect and work with others who behave safely, responsibly and respectably as we seek to inspire and educate others regarding this salient period of American History, journeying at least every other year to the East Coast for large living history events.

Email us us or see our Joining Page for details as to how you too can portray history as a defender of the Old Dominion.