The 57th was composed mainly of men from Albemarle, Botetourt, Buckingham, Franklin, Henry, Pittsylvania, and Powhatan counties.

The unit was assigned to General Armistead's, Barton's, and Steuart's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia.

It participated in many conflicts from the Seven Days' Battles to Gettysburg, served in North Carolina, then saw action at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor.

It reported 113 casualties at Malvern Hill and lost more than sixty percent of the 476 engaged at Gettysburg.

Its commanders were Colonels Lewis A. Armistead, George W. Carr, David Dyer, Clement R. Fontaine, Elisha F. Keen, and John Bowie Magruder; Lieutenant Colonels Waddy T. James, William H. Ramsey, and Benjamin H. Wade; and Majors Garland B. Hanes, David P. Heckman, and Andrew J.