The "Louisa Grays" company was composed of men from the section to the west of the courthouse in Louisa county, Virginia, and was mustered into service on 30 June 1861, becoming Company D of the 23rd Virginia regiment. Capt. William J. Sergeant was their original captain and he was succeeded by Capt. Hiram B. Saunders. The company was first sent to Richmond, and then into the valley to join Gen. Garnett's army. Incidentally, the company had several men named Sergeant, presumably with some relation to the captain. These were Privates John M. Sergeant, William L. Sergeant, Ed. F. Sergeant, Andrew E. Sergeant, William T. Sergeant, and James A. Sergeant, all enlisting on 30 June 1861. (Source: A History of Louisa County, Virginia, by Malcolm H. Harris (Richmond: The Dietz Press, 1936).