Allen,

Are you in possession of his Compiled Military Service Records, which are available through the link below?

According to these records he "officially" served first in the 4th Virginia Light Artillery, which never completed its organization. This unsuccessful first organization became the 4th Virginia Heavy Artillery Battalion/Regiment and by "Special Order" was used primarily as infantry. He, specifically, was a member of the famous "King and Queen Artillery" of King and Queen County, Virginia. If you'd like to read about this unit and its commander, here is a link to a book named "King and Queen County, Va." by Alfred Bagby.

Click here!

Later this Heavy Artillery unit became the 34th Virginia Infantry.

In July of 1863, your ancestor, swapped places with another man and became a member of the 40th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, which later became the 24th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry. His service ended with the 24th Virginia Cavalry in March 1865, when he took the "Oath of Allegiance" to the U.S. government.

There are three (3) service records for James E. Byrd in the 4th Virginia Heavy Artillery/34th Virginia Infantry, 40th Battalion Virginia Cavalry and 24th Virginia Cavalry.

Please contact me by email, webmaster@history-sites.com, if you'd like to make a multiple order purchase and I can give you pricing.

Jim Martin