| Continental Morgan Guard History |
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| The Continental Morgan Guard or company A 31st Virginia Militia began organizing on June 22, 1855 in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia. Although they began organizing before the Guard adopted July 4, 1855 as their birthday. It was named to perpetuate the name of Revolutionary War hero and Virginian Daniel Morgan. The unit adopted uniforms resembling the pattern of the Continental Army. The coat was of blue cloth and trimmed in buff cassimire. They wore buckskin breeches, black top boots, buff cassimire waist coats, tri-cornered cocked hats with the brass figures 1776 on them, a ruffled shirt, and white gloves. Each member of the company was to provide himself with his own uniform within 60 days after his elecetion as a member of the company. It was an expensive uniform, and cost more then some members could afford. On April 3, 1857 the ladies of Winchester held a fair to benifit the Guard, and the proceeds were enough to purchase 15 new uniforms for men who could not afford them. The Guard was run very much like a club with the voting in of new members, monthly meetings, and yearly activities. During the course of the year the Guard participated in eight parades including the required Virginia State Militia Muster. Some of their parades included George Washington Birthday celebrations and 4th of July observances. The first captain of the 31st was Hugh Lee Holmes and he resigned in 1856. To succed him the Guard elected William A. Jackson, who had commanded a company of infantry in Fredericksburg. One of the Continental Guards highlights was a three day trip to Alexanderia on September 23, 1857. While in Alexanderia they were the guests of the Alexanderia Rifleman. The Guard was escorted by the Rifleman and the Mount Vernon Guard, as they saw the sights in Washington, D.C. They toured the Capitol building and were recived by the Secretary of War. The next day they took a steamer to Mount Vernon and a visited the Federal Garrison at Fort Washington. That night they all met at the American Hotel in Alexanderia and had dinner with George Washington Parke Custis. On June 25, 1858 Matthew Burwell Bassett Washington, better known as B.B. Washington, was elected the third captain of the company. The 4th of July 1858 the Guard attended a parade in Staunton. The Stauton Speculator spoke highly of the celebration, and felt it surpassed anything the town had seen before. The parade was the days main attraction as four militia companies marched through the streets to the sounds of several bands and were led by General Harman. On Septemeber 2, 1858 the Guard went to Shepherdstown to participate in the Grand Military and Civic Barbecue, which was held at Morgan Springs. Alexander R. Boteler mentioned the Guard in his book My Ride to the Barbecue; or Revoluntionary Reminiscences of the Old Dominion. " The Continental Morgan Guards, Capt. B. B. Washington challenged the admiration of all. Their fine marching, with their many fancy evolutions attracted much attention. Capt. Washington is a gentleman and a soldier, and we do not hesitate to pronounce it the finest company in the valley of Virginia. The Winchester Coronet Band accompanied them and discoursed some very fine music." In 1859 the Guards First Lieutenant James W. Haines became the company's fourth commander following the promotion of Captain Washington to Colonel of the 31st Virginia militia. On October 19, 1859 the Guard was hosting a ball to honor the American Victory at Yorktown in the Revolutionary War, when word came to them of the situation at Harpers Ferry. They were informed that John Brown and his raiders had captured the Federal Arsenal, and that they were needed for active duty. The Guard spent 18 days on duty during the crisis. On April 18, 1860 Lewis Ball became the Guards fifth commander, and a year later to the day they would be called up to defend Virginia from invasion. They were msutered in for a years service and assigned to the 5th Regiment by June 4, 1861. It was not until June 20 that they were finally mustered into service under the command of John Avis at Camp Stephens. On May 9, 1861 George W. Chambers was commissioned the captain for the Guard. The Guard being held in such high rguard as masters of drill were called on to drill the new raw volunteer army emassed at Harpers Ferry under the command of Colonel Thomas J. Jackson from VMI. On June 10, 1861 the 5th Regiment left Camp Bolivar and marched to Shepherdstown. Four days later they marched to Charlestown and on the 15th, the Confederates abandon Harpers Ferry, then marched for Winchester. The company was reorganized one last time as Co. K 5th Regiment of Virginia Volunteer Infantry on April 18, 1862. The last Captian of the company would be George Washington Kurtz, who rose through the ranks of the company. He would be wounded at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, and Captured at Spotslyvania in 1864. Apparently the 31st Virginia Militia was never totally done away with as records have been found indicating that Robert S. Baldwin was Colonel of the Militia from 1861-1864. The Surgeon was S.S. Neil. Information compiled from The Stonewall Brigade By: James McPherson and 5th Virginia Infantry By: By Lee A. Wallace, Jr. |
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