The 39th Virginia was organized during the summer of 1861 with eleven companies: eight infantry, two cavalry, and one artillery.

The unit was attached to the Department of Norfolk and served on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

In November it was ordered to evacuate the peninsula but was unable to cross the Chesapeake Bay.

They served much of the war's remaining years in the batteries north and east of Richmond.

This article about a specific military unit of the American Civil War is a stub.