Virginians against Virginians

The majority of Jackson's Valley District is composed of Virginia regiments. Lander's Division also includes two (West) Virginia regiments, the First Virginia Cavalry (US) and the First Virginia Infantry (US). It is possible that the 1st Virginia (US) could end up being engaged with the 1st Virginia Battalion (CS) during THE WINTER WAR simulation.

In this photograph of Private Theopolis Richards, Company "A" 1st Virginia (US), it appears that the weapon he is holding is not a M1855 or M1861 rifled musket.  In the order of battle, I had the first US armed with rifled muskets (I can't remember my information source). From this photo, they might have been armed with some form of smoothbore. Or maybe it was a studio prop. Regardless, the order of battle is set and if the 1st Virginia (US) sees action in the simulation, it will be with rifled muskets.

Richards was with the regiment in the period covered by the simulation, and was later captured at Port Republic. He was exchanged and was captured again in 1864.  He wears a forage cap and fatigue blouse (sack coat) and is carrying a side arm tucked into his trousers (perhaps a prop for the photograph).