The 38th Virginia was organized in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in June 1861. Its members were recruited in Pittsylvania, Halifax, and Mechlenburg counties. It served under the command of Generals Early, Garland, Armistead, Barton, and Stuart. Among the founders of the regiment was Lt. Col. (later Colonel) Powhatan Bolling Whittle of Mecklenbury County, who was later wounded at the Battle of Williamsburg.