[1] The 36th Virginia, also known as the 2nd Kanawha Regiment, began organizing in May, 1861, as VMI graduate turned professor Col. John McCausland requested V.M.I.

The primary counties of recruitment were Putnam, Boone, Roane, Nicholas, Raleigh, Logan, Giles and Bland.

Assigned to Floyd's Brigade in late August 1861, the unit fought at the Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes and the Battle of Carnifex Ferry in western Virginia (acting as a rear guard during the latter defeat), then tried to set up a winter camp near the Fayetteville Court House, but ended up retreating from the Kanawha valley and attempting another winter camp at Dublin Depot (of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad in Pulaski County, Virginia).

However, they were ordered to join Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston at Bowling Green, Kentucky, so they left after Christmas.

The unit reunited at Dublin Depot, retaking the Giles County courthouse (at Pearisburg on May 10 and regained control of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.

After the losses at Third Battle of Winchester and Fisher's Hill in September 1864, the 36th Virginia was reinforced with many conscripts over the age of 35.

Although its last battle-related death was on October 19, 1864 (the Battle of Cedar Creek), many from the unit had been taken prisoner before the winter encampment at Fishersville with the 60th Virginia Infantry.

The field officers were Colonels John McCausland and Thomas Smith (a son of Confederate general and war-time Governor of Virginia William "Extra Billy" Smith who later became a territorial judge in New Mexico before returning to Virginia), and Lieutenant Colonels William E. Fife, Benjamin R. Linkous, and L. Wilber Reid.