As an unattached company at the Battle of Seven Pines, they fought with the 4th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery in General Robert Rodes' Brigade. Although a "heavy artillery" battalion, the 4th Virginia fought as infantry at Seven Pines and would later be redesignated the 34th Virginia Infantry. The "Refugees" suffered heavily at Seven Pines with six killed and twelve wounded. Among the dead was 2nd Lt. James R. Harmonson who had been elected to the position less than a month prior to his death at Seven Pines.

On June 25, 1862, the "Refugees" were assigned to the 46th Virginia Volunteer Infantry as the regiment's 2nd Co. G. The 46th Virginia was part of Wise's Brigade under the command of Brig. General Henry A. Wise (an Eastern Shore native and former Governor of Virginia). At the end of August many 46th Virginia soldiers who had been captured at Roanoke Island on February 8, 1862, were paroled and began returning to the ranks of the 46th. By September enough had returned to necessitate a semi-reorganization of the regiment which resulted in the "Refugees" becoming the 4th and final Co. F of the regiment.

In the Fall of 1863, the 46th along with the rest of Wise's Brigade were assigned to General P.G.T. Beauregard's Department of South Carolina, and took part in the defense of Charleston. However, on May 3, 1864, Beauregard's command was ordered to report back to Virginia in the defense of Richmond. After a brief but successful skirmish at Bake House Creek on May 20, 1864, the 46th took part in the Howlett Line and the Battle of Petersburg on June 15th - 17th. The "Refugees" were involved heavily in the battle on the 17th firing volley after volley into the advancing Federals and according to Captain White, "literally mowed them down...only a few could be seen struggling to the rear and right oblique". After several failed assaults, the Federals finally forced the 23rd South Carolina on the 46th's left flank to the rear forcing the 46th to fall back as well. The regiment rallied and launched a counter attack which was met with a hellacious fire of musketry. Private Louis Rogers of Co. F carried the regimental colors which in the deadly fire was riddled by eighteen bullets and the flag staff shot in two. Private Rogers himself was shot in the shoulder and would die from the wound in August of that same year. Captain White of Co. F rallied the regiment and temporarily assumed command having the regiment fall back to the safety of the 2nd line of entrenchments. The 46th suffered 25 men killed, 87 wounded, and 19 captured. The "Refugees" suffered eight killed, four wounded, and seven captured.

Letter written by 2nd Lt. Benjamin T. Parker while a POW at Fort Delaware.  Lt. Parker was captured at Petersburg during the fighting on June 17, 1864.  Letter courtesy of Robert Savage, Lt. Parker's great, great, great nephew.

The "Refugees" continued to serve in the Petersburg defenses and fought in the Battle of the Crater on July 30th. After the Battle of Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865, Wise's Brigade won the admiration of General Lee for being one of the few commands to stay relatively in tact through and after the battle when so many commands had been shattered. Of 139 men who had served in Co. F, only nine were present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865: 2nd Lt. Edmund R. Bagwell, Corporal William S. Tunnel, and Privates James E. Bull, Y. Davenport, Thomas L. Drummond, Henry C. Gregory, George S. Nock, George D. Scarborough, and William H. Twiford. Thus, ended the military career of the "Eastern Shore Refugees".

--Richmond Daily Dispatch, May 12, 1862

                 *Captain John H. White Photo Courtesy of Jackie Mesenbrink

                 *Lieut. Benjamin T. Parker Photo Courtesy of Albert Parker