The 26th Infantry Regiment was organized during May and June, 1861, with men recruited in the counties of Gloucester, King and Queen, and Mathews. The 26th was assigned to General Wise's Brigade in June, 1862, contained 31 officers and 424 men. After being involved in the Seven Days' Battles it was transferred to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The unit participated in the defense of Charleston, then during the spring of 1864 returned to Virginia. Here it took its place in the Petersburg trenches and was active in various conflicts around Appomattox. Many were captured at Sayler's Creek and on April 9, 1865, there were 15 officers and 81 men present. The field officers were Colonels Charles A. Crump and Powhatan R. Page; Lieutenant Colonel James C. Coucill; and Majors Patrick H. Fitzhugh, Joshua L. Garrett, William K. Perrin, and William H. Wheelwright.