Pleasant Grove West in Chesapeake, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
Home of the Jackson Greys
The Jackson Greys were recruited from St. Bride's Parish of Norfolk County and named after Mr. James W. Jackson. Jackson was the proprietor of the Marshall House in Alexandria, Virginia. He killed Col. Elmer Ellsworth of the New York Fire Zouaves when Ellsworth removed the Confederate flag from his hotel. Jackson was also killed during the melee.
The Jackson Greys were mustered into Confederate service as Co. A, 61st Virginia Volunteer Regiment and initially served at the Gosport Navy Yard. In December 1861, the company was transferred to Sewell's Point where the unit saw action during the CSS Virginia's (Merrimack) March 8, 1862, sortie against the USS Congress and USS Cumberland. The Greys served in the most advanced battery at Sewell's Point and often exchanged cannon fire with Fort Wool on the Rip Raps in the middle of Hampton Roads.
When Norfolk was evacuated, the unit was stationed at Bermuda Hundred near Petersburg and traded cannon fire with Union gunboats at Port Walthall on June 26, 1862. After duty near Bristoe Station, the 61st was assigned to Mahone's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. The unit fought at the Battles of Salem Church, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Wilcox Farm, the Crater, Weldon Rail Road, Burgess Mill and Hatcher's Run. The Jackson Greys served with honor throughout the war and surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 8, 1862.
Location. 36° 37.782′ N, 76° 14.579′ W. Marker is in Chesapeake, Virginia. It is in Pleasant Grove West. Marker is on St. Brides Road, ¼ mile south of Benefit Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chesapeake VA 23322, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Bride's Church (approx. 2.6 miles away); Seven Patriot Heroes (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Cuffeytown Thirteen (approx. 4.4 miles away); Great Bridge Schoolhouse Monument (approx. 5.7 miles away); Norfolk County Almshouse (approx. 5.9 miles away); Chesapeake Veterans Memorial (approx. 6 miles away); SSG Jonathan Kilian Dozier, USA (approx. 6 miles away); Southern Branch Chapel / Battle of Great Bridge / Wilson Family (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesapeake.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2011, by Chris Bieber of Chesapeake, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,277 times since then and 77 times this year. Last updated on November 24, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2011, by Chris Bieber of Chesapeake, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 6, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.