The 12th Georgia Infantry completed its organization in June of 1861 at Richmond, Va. Its members were from the counties of Sumter, Jones, Macon, Calhoun, Muscogee, Dooly, Putnam, Bibb, Lowndes and Marion. Upon its arrival in western Virginia, the regiment was assigned to H. R. Jackson's command and participated in Lee's Cheat Mountain campaign. It later served in the brigades of generals E. Johnson, Elzey, Trimble, Dole, and Cook. During this time, they participated in Stonewall Jackson's Valley campaign, then fought with the Army of Northern Virginia from Seven Days to Cold Harbor. The 12th later took part in Early's Shenandoah Valley operations and the Appomattox campaign.