Chester in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Boy Company
Richmond National Battlefield Park
This prominent battery in Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia often went by its nickname, “The Boy Company.” Although the average battery member was 25 years old, the company had several lads between the ages of 14 and 19.
Under its dynamic leader, Captain William Parker, the battery forged a strong record on many of the Civil War’s greatest battlefields. Some of the men who spent the final months of the war here had survived unimaginable carnage at Second Manassas (Bull Run), Sharpsburg (Antietam), and Gettysburg.
(captions)
Private David A. Brown helped give Parker’s company its nickname. He enlisted in the spring of 1862, just prior to his 16th birthday, and served throughout the war. He was wounded twice and captured twice. Brown died in 1918 and is buried in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery.
Confederate dead, believed to be from Parker’s Battery, in front of Dunker Church at Antietam, September 1862.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 3, 1862.
Location. 37° 20.989′ N, 77° 23.67′ W. Marker is in Chester, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker can be reached from Ware Bottom Spring Road, 0.1 miles east of Old Stage Road, on the right when traveling east. Located within the Parker’s Battery Unit of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 Ware Bottom Spring Road, Chester VA 23836, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Boy Company (here, next to this marker); Parker’s Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Howlett Line (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Howlett Line (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Parker’s Battery (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Parker's Battery (about 500 feet away); Remembrance (about 500 feet away); Battery Dantzler (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "The Boy Company".
Also see . . . Richmond National Battlefield Park. (Submitted on June 27, 2013.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 846 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.