The 38th Infantry, made up largely of Pittsylvania County men, took part in Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. The 38th was in Armistead's Brigade, Pickett's Division. Marching and counter-marching found the 38th in Pennsylvania 2 miles north of Chambersburg on the York Road in late June. For the first time in awhile, there was plenty to eat. When Gettysburg loomed as a major battle, Lee ordered Pickett's division to the front early in the morning on July 3. After two day's of fighting, Pickett's newly arrived troops were the freshest and were ordered, supported by Pettigrew's and Thimble's divisions, to take the center of the Federal line on Cemetery Ridge. Approximately 10,500 men were involved in the ill-fated Pickett's charge. In minutes, 40% of the 38th were casualties and the battle flag was captured during a flanking movement by the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Colonel Edmonds, who presided over the initial organization of the 38th lay dead on the field. The expected counter-attack never came and the wounded Southern Army retreated at night in the driving rain burying the dead in unmarked graves as it went. The 38th escorted Union prisoners during the retreat. The "Pittsylvania regiment" went into winter quarters in Kingston, NC still under Picketts command. The information below was taken from a Danville newspaper article published shortly after the battle. Some of those listed as missing were later learned to be prisioners of the North. A few probably deserted and others were never accounted for.

John O. Adkins enlisted in the Confederate Army on June 8 1861 as a private in the 38th Infantry Pittsylvania Regiment. He became a part of Armistead's brigade under General Pickett at Gettysburg between July 3 and July 5 1863 and died of his wounds at Picketts Division Hospital in Pennsvlvania. He was buried at Bream's Mill on the hill; disinterred to Richmond, VA in 1872.