42nd Infantry Regiment, organized at Staunton, Virginia, in July, 1861, recruited its members in Henry, Floyd, Bedford, Campbell, Roanoke, Patrick, and Franklin counties. After fighting at First Kernstown and in Jackson's Valley Campaign, the unit was assigned to J.R. Jones' and W. Terry's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active in many conflicts from the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor, then moved with Early to the Shenandoah Valley and was involved in the Appomattox operations. This regiment reported 70 casualties at First Kernstown and totalled 750 effectives in May, 1862. It sustained no losses during the Seven Days' Battles but had many at Cedar Mountain. There were 62 disabled at Second Manassas, 26 at Fredericksburg, and 135 at Chancellorsville. Of the 265 engaged at Gettysburg, twenty-one percent were killed, wounded, or missing. Only 1 officer and 44 men surrendered. The field officers were Colonels Jesse S. Burks, Andrew J. Deyerle, John E. Penn, and R.W.Withers; Lieutenant Colonels Daniel A. Langhorne, William Martin, and Samuel H. Saunders; and Majors P.B. Adams, Henry Lane, and Jesse M. Richardson.

American Civil War Soldiers
Name: Jacob Abshire
Residence: Franklin County, Virginia
Enlistment Date: 23 Aug 1863
Enlistment Place: Montpelier, Orange CO, Virginia
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: Virginia
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 23 August 1863 at the age of 18.
Enlisted in Company K, 42nd Infantry Regiment Virginia on 23 Aug 1863.
Deserted from Company K, 42nd Infantry Regiment Virginia on 17 Sep 1863.

REGIMENT: 42nd Infantry Regiment Virginia
Date of Organization: 1 Jul 1861
Muster Date: 9 Apr 1865
Regiment State: Virginia
Regiment Type: Infantry
Regiment Number: 42nd
Regimental Soldiers and History: List of Soldiers

Regimental History

Gettysburg after battle report:

Report of Capt. Jesse M. Richardson, Forty-second Virginia Infantry.

Near Hagerstown, Md., July 12, 1863.
Sir: Lieut.-Col. [R. W.] Withers having been wounded
in the battle of Gettysburg, and Capt. [S. H.] Saunders being sick,
it devolves upon me as the next officer in rank in the regiment to
report the operations of the Forty-second Virginia Regt. in the
battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 3, and 4.

This regiment is a part of Brig. Gen. J. M. Jones' brigade (Second
Virginia), Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson's division. It left camp near
Scotland, Pa., on the morning of July 1, and arrived upon the battlefield
and town of Gettysburg about sunset, and was placed in position
near the extreme left of our lines, with the right of the regiment
resting on the Twenty-fifth Virginia Regt., and its left on the
Fiftieth Virginia Regt., where it remained during the night and
until about 4 o'clock next day.

The regiment was then moved by the flank, following the Twenty-fifth
virginia toward the enemy's position on the hills, to support
the batteries of the division, then taking position nearer the enemy,
and was halted at the stone house, where it remained some two hours,
until the artillery fight was about over. The regiment was not much
exposed here, and suffered no loss.

The regiment was then moved up to the position of the artillery,
and formed into line, with its right on the Fiftieth Virginia Regt.
and its left on the Forty-eighth Virginia Regt., and moved
forward in a splendid line across the field into the woods. A temporary
halt was made at the creek at the foot of the mountain, where
the regiment suffered some from the enemy's shells, which had been
harmless until the creek was reached. The regiment soon moved forward
from the creek, and advanced up the mountain some 75 yards,
when it opened fire upon the enemy. It continued loading and firing,
and pressing forward up the hill.

It was now dark, and, owing to the nature of the ground, our lines
had become disorganized. The regiment got within 30 paces of the
enemy's works, driving all the enemy within them. Some of the
men got nearer.

In about one hour from the time the firing commenced, the line
was ordered to fall back slowly, which was done about half way
down the hill, where it remained until ordered across the creek,
where the brigade was reformed.

After the brigade was reformed, the line again crossed the creek,
and took position some 50 yards from the creek, where it remained
through the night, the next day, and part of the next night, skirmishing
with the enemy.

On the morning of the 4th, the regiment moved with the brigade
and division to a new position on the road, about 1 mile from town,
where it remained during the day, unengaged.

The loss of the regiment (which has been furnished you*) all occurred
in the fight of the 2d.

I desire to mention here the name of Robert Lemmon, of Baltimore,
not a member of the regiment, but acting lieutenant in one of the
companies, who was killed. He acted gallantly, as did all the officers
and men of the regiment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JESSE M. RICHARDSON,
Capt., Comdg. Forty-second Virginia Infantry.

Capt. Reuben Cleary,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part II. Reports. Serial No. 44

Battles Fought
Fought on 15 Jan 1861 at Dept. Of West Virginia.
Fought on 11 Sep 1861 at Mingo Flats, VA.
Fought on 20 Mar 1862 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 23 Mar 1862 at Kernstown, VA.
Fought on 8 May 1862 at McDowell, WV.
Fought on 12 May 1862 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1862 at Port Republic, VA.
Fought on 15 May 1862.
Fought on 25 May 1862 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 27 May 1862 at Front Royal, VA.
Fought on 29 May 1862.
Fought on 30 May 1862 at Front Royal, VA Hospital.
Fought on 30 May 1862 at Front Royal, VA.
Fought on 1 Jun 1862 at Strasburg, VA.
Fought on 2 Jun 1862 at Strasburg, VA.
Fought on 2 Jun 1862 at Woodstock, VA.
Fought on 2 Jun 1862.
Fought on 2 Jun 1862 at Middletown, VA.
Fought on 3 Jun 1862 at Mount Jackson, VA.
Fought on 6 Jun 1862 at Cross Keys, VA.
Fought on 7 Jun 1862 at Shenandoah Valley.
Fought on 8 Jun 1862 at Port Republic, VA.
Fought on 8 Jun 1862 at Cross Keys, VA.
Fought on 9 Jun 1862 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 12 Jun 1862 at Shenandoah County.
Fought on 15 Jun 1862 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 29 Jun 1862 at Richmond, VA.
Fought on 29 Jun 1862 at Gaines' Mill, VA.
Fought on 30 Jun 1862 at Harrisonburg, VA.
Fought on 26 Jul 1862.
Fought on 30 Jul 1862 at Manassas, VA.
Fought on 9 Aug 1862 at Cedar Run, VA.
Fought on 11 Aug 1862.
Fought on 15 Aug 1862.
Fought on 26 Aug 1862.
Fought on 27 Aug 1862 at Brandy Station, VA.
Fought on 28 Aug 1862 at 2nd Manassas, VA.
Fought on 29 Aug 1862 at 2nd Manassas, VA.
Fought on 30 Aug 1862 at 2nd Manassas, VA.
Fought on 7 Sep 1862 at VA & TN Railroad.
Fought on 7 Sep 1862 at Aiken's Landing, VA.
Fought on 12 Sep 1862.
Fought on 14 Sep 1862 at Harper's Ferry, VA.
Fought on 15 Sep 1862.
Fought on 16 Sep 1862 at Middletown, VA.
Fought on 17 Sep 1862 at Antietam, MD.
Fought on 18 Sep 1862 at Antietam, MD.
Fought on 18 Sep 1862 at Antietam, MD Hospl.
Fought on 19 Sep 1862 at Antietam, MD.
Fought on 30 Sep 1862 at Frederick, MD.
Fought on 6 Oct 1862.
Fought on 15 Oct 1862 at Warren Station.
Fought on 15 Oct 1862 at Warren County, NC.
Fought on 31 Oct 1862.
Fought on 1 Nov 1862 at Aldie, VA.
Fought on 14 Dec 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 15 Dec 1862 at Jamestown.
Fought on 28 Dec 1862 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 31 Dec 1862.
Fought on 15 Jan 1863 at Payne's Farm, VA.
Fought on 23 Mar 1863 at Kernstown, VA.
Fought on 2 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 3 May 1863 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 4 May 1863 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 15 Jun 1863 at Frederick City, MD.
Fought on 28 Jun 1863.
Fought on 1 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA Hospl.
Fought on 2 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA Hospl.
Fought on 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1863 at South Mountain, MD.
Fought on 4 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA Hospl.
Fought on 4 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 5 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA Hospl.
Fought on 5 Jul 1863 at South Mountain, MD.
Fought on 5 Jul 1863 at Waynesborough, PA.
Fought on 5 Jul 1863.
Fought on 5 Jul 1863 at Boonsboro, MD.
Fought on 5 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 6 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 8 Jul 1863.
Fought on 14 Jul 1863 at Falling Waters, MD.
Fought on 15 Jul 1863.
Fought on 17 Jul 1863.
Fought on 26 Jul 1863 at Jordan Springs, Hospl.
Fought on 13 Sep 1863 at Culpeper Court House, VA.
Fought on 22 Sep 1863 at Madison Court House.
Fought on 9 Nov 1863 at Stevensburg.
Fought on 27 Nov 1863 at Payne's Farm, VA.
Fought on 29 Nov 1863.
Fought on 5 Dec 1863.
Fought on 15 Jan 1864 at Dept. Of West Virginia.
Fought on 14 Mar 1864.
Fought on 5 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 10 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 19 May 1864 at Harris Farm.
Fought on 20 May 1864.
Fought on 27 May 1864 at Mullberry Hill.
Fought on 30 May 1864.
Fought on 31 May 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 1 Jun 1864.
Fought on 2 Jun 1864 at Bethesda Church, VA.
Fought on 2 Jun 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 6 Jul 1864 at Harper's Ferry, VA.
Fought on 9 Jul 1864 at Monocacy, MD.
Fought on 9 Jul 1864 at Maryland Heights, MD.
Fought on 12 Jul 1864 at Rockville, MD.
Fought on 16 Jul 1864 at Leesburg, VA.
Fought on 18 Jul 1864 at Snicker's Gap, VA.
Fought on 23 Jul 1864.
Fought on 24 Jul 1864 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 30 Jul 1864.
Fought on 17 Aug 1864 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 25 Aug 1864 at Shepherdstown, VA.
Fought on 11 Sep 1864.
Fought on 19 Sep 1864 at Winchester, VA.
Fought on 19 Sep 1864 at Near Strasburg.
Fought on 22 Sep 1864 at Fisher's Hill, VA.
Fought on 23 Sep 1864 at Strasburg, VA.
Fought on 25 Sep 1864 at Harrisonburg, VA.
Fought on 13 Oct 1864 at Cedar Creek, VA.
Fought on 19 Oct 1864 at Cedar Creek, VA.
Fought on 31 Oct 1864.
Fought on 2 Nov 1864.
Fought on 13 Nov 1864 at Strasburg, VA.
Fought on 15 Dec 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 27 Dec 1864 at Bristol, TN.
Fought on 5 Feb 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 6 Feb 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 2 Mar 1865 at Waynesboro, VA.
Fought on 15 Mar 1865.
Fought on 25 Mar 1865 at Fort Stedman, VA.
Fought on 28 Mar 1865 at Turkey-Pen.
Fought on 2 Apr 1865.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Richmond, VA Hospl.
Fought on 3 Apr 1865 at Petersburg, VA Hospl.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at High Bridge, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Baker's Creek, MS.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Farmville, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 6 Apr 1865 at Burkeville, VA.
Fought on 7 Apr 1865 at Burkeville, VA.
Fought on 7 Apr 1865 at Farmville, VA.

Marcus Abshire is also listed in this unit.

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Jacob W Abshire
Age in 1860: 15
Birth Year: abt 1845
Home in 1860: South Western District, Franklin, Virginia
Gender: Male
Living in the home of
Abshire, Randolph 41 Farmer Real Estate Value $1200 Personal worth $450
Abshire, Mary 30 f
Abshire, Susan 17 f
Abshire, Jacob W. 15 m
Abshire, Debritha J. 13 f
Abshire, Jno A. 10 m
Abshire, Sarah F. 7 f
Abshire, Mary L. 4 f
Absire, Joseph P. 1/12 m
Abshire, Susan 65 f

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Jacob Abshire
Age in 1860: 29
Birth Year: abt 1831
Home in 1860: South Western District, Franklin, Virginia
Gender: Male
Abshire, Jacob 29 m Farmer
Fasibee 28 f
Lafayette S. 6 m
Louisa M. 4 f

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Jacob Abshire
Age in 1860: 14
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: My Division, Mercer, Virginia
Gender: Male
Post Office: Princeton
Abshire, Christian 65 m Farmer
Abshire, Celina 45 f
Abshire, James W. 18 m serving
Abshire, Charlene C. 17 f serving
Abshire, Jacob 14 m
Abshire, John W. 12 m
Abshire, William E. 11 m

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Jacob W Abshire
Age in 1910: 66
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1844
Birthplace: Virginia
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Birth Place: Virginia
Spouse's Name: Emily C
Home in 1910: Little Creek, Franklin, Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Jacob W Abshire 66 Farmer married 45 yrs
Emily C Abshire 61 wife mother of 4, 3 still living

Marriage Bonds of Franklin County Virginia 1786-1858
page 228
Turner, Wilson, Jr. and Elizabeth Noftsinger, g. Jacob Abshire, Mar. 8, 1824. Sur. Greenville Turner. 130.

Jacob William Abshire
Born: 1844
Franklin,Virginia
Died:
Spouse
Emily Mary Fisher
Born: 1848 in Franklin,Virginia
Died:
Marriage: 13 Jun 1867 in Franklin,Virginia
Children Sex Birth
Callie Abshire F abt 1869 in Franklin,Virginia
Mary S Abshire F abt 1874
Odella Abshire F 1883 in Franklin,Virginia

Randolph Abshire
Born: abt 1819 Franklin, Virginia
Died:
Spouse 1
Mary Ann Angell
Born: abt 1820 in Virginia
Died: 7 Jan 1859 in Franklin, Virginia
Marriage: 28 Sep 1840 in Franklin,Virginia
Children Sex Birth
Susan Abshire F 1837 in Franklin, Virginia
Jacob William Abshire M 1844 in Franklin, Virginia
John H Abshire M abt 1851
Spouse 2
Mary Elizabeth Angle
Born: 1819
Died:
Marriage: 28 Sep 1840 in Franklin, Virginia
Children Sex Birth
Joseph Peter Abshire M
Susan Abshire F 1837 in Franklin, Virginia
Jacob William Abshire M 1844 in Franklin, Virginia
John H Abshire M abt 1851

JR