Chase, In November, 1861, the 18th was assigned to Wigfall's Brigade, then consisting of the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas regiments. Wigfall resigned and returned to Texas. John Bell Hood was named commander of the brigade. Hood's Texas Brigade first distinguished themselves at Gaines Mill. The regimental commander who helped organize, train and first led the 18th Georgia Volunteer Infantry was William Tatum Wofford. He had been a Captain in the Mexican War. Hodd having been promoted to Division command, Wofford commanded the Texas Brigade at Antietam. They fought in the Cornfield. Hampton's Legion was also assigned to the Texans.After the Battle of Antietam, and the passage of a new Confederate law which required CSA troops to serve with troops from their own state, General Robert E. Lee moved Colonel Wofford and the 18th Georgia Infantry Regiment to Georgia General T. R. R. Cobb’s Brigade in McLaw’s Division.

Cobb's Brigade, at Fredericksberg, consisted of the
16th Georgia, 18th Georgia, 24th Georgia, the Cobb Legion,
and Phillips' Legion. Col Gillespie had family in Phillip's Legion.

After Cobb was killed, Wofford was promoted to Grigadier General and given command. Thereafter, the unit was known as Wofford's Brigade. They fought in every ANV campaign except First Manassas.

The 3rd Arkansas was assigned to the Texas Brigade, and was soon nicknamed the "3rd Texas". The 18th Ga. fist used this nam, according to Hood's memoirs, but others say he was mistaken. Go figure. Stan