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[Pages 74-75]
Maury, Matthew Fontaine, an eminent scientist, born in
Spottsylvania county, Virginia, January 14, 1806, son of Richard and Diana Minor Maury. When he
was five years old, his father emigrated to Tennessee and settled near Franklin. He attended an
old field school and studied at Harpeth Academy, of which he was an instructor. At nineteen he
obtained a midshipman's warrant and went on a cruise around the world. In 1831 though only a
passed midshipman, he was given command of several vessels. He returned home in 1834 and
published a popular text book on navigation. In 1837 he was promoted lieutenant, and in 1839 met
with a painful accident, which disabled him, and caused lameness for life. He began the
publication of a series of articles in the "Southern Literary Messenger" on the navy, which he
called "Scraps from a Lucky Bag" and which he signed "Henry Bluff." They made a great impression,
and the "National Intelligencer" advocated his appointment as secretary of the navy. In these
papers he urged inland fortification and a few big guns on ships of war instead of many small
guns. When it became known that Maury was the author, he was placed, in 1843, in charge of the
depot of charts and instruments at Washington, which was soon converted into the National
Observatory. He studied the winds and currents of the ocean and issued a series of charts, which
obtained for him the name of "the Pathfinder of the Seas." The ship masters by following his
"sailing directions" saved much valuable time. It was while tabulating the data for this work
that he wrote his "Physical Geography of the Sea and its Meteorology." Orders of knighthood were
offered him by many foreign countries and medals were struck in his honor. He was elected in
1856, president of the National Institute, and suggested all the principles of the modern weather
bureau. He instituted a system of deep sea soundings, and showed that the bottom of the sea
between Newfoundland and Ireland was a plateau admirably adapted for a telegraphic cable. He
suggested the character of the cable to be employed and pointed out to Cyrus W. Field how it
should be laid. He was promoted commander in 1855. On the outbreak of the civil war he resigned
his commission, and returned to Virginia. Immediately he received flattering calls to the service
of Russia and France which he declined. He was commissioned by Mr. Davis chief of the "seacoasts,
harbor and river defences" of the south, and invented an electric torpedo and protected Richmond
by mining the James river. He was sent by the Confederate government to England, where he
continued his experiments in torpedo defense and purchased and outfitted cruisers for the
Confederacy. After the war he removed to Mexico, and, as a member of Maximilian went to his
death, but Maury succeeded in conferring a permanent blessing on Mexico the cultivation of
the cinchona tree, whose bark is so useful in fevers. While in England, he taught the use of
torpedoes and torpedo boats, and prepared a series of geographical books for the schools, and
wrote a book on astronomy. In 1868 the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the University
of Cambridge. In this year he returned to Virginia to accept the position of professor of
metereology in Washington and Lee University, having declined the superintendency of
the National Observatory at Paris. He was made a member of all the principal scientific societies
of Europe. He died at Lexington, Virginia, February 1, 1873, and his remains were carried through
Goshen Pass to their interment place in Richmond.
[Pages 75-76]
Maury, Dabney Herndon, born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 21,
1822, a descendant of the French Huguenot settlers of early Virginia, connected with some of the
best families of that state; he was a nephew of Matthew Fontaine Maury, the great scientist, to
whom he was indebted for his early education; he entered the University of Virginia, in 1839,
remained for one year; he used to tell with great interest of the way in which he came to leave
the profession of the law and devote himself to military affairs; he was asked by the professor
whether ignorance of the law was an excuse for crime, to which he promptly replied, "Of course,"
and upon being advised of the error of his answer determined that he would have nothing to do
with any profession where such an iniquity prevailed; he graduated from the West Point Military
Academy, in 1846, and, immediately was sent to Mexico; was wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo,
and made first lieutenant; upon his return to Fredericksburg he was presented with a sword by
admiring friends; from 1847 to 1850 he was assistant professor of history and ethics at West
Point, and was assistant professor of infantry tactics for the following two years; he was on the
frontier at Texas at the outbreak of the civil war, and resigned to cast in his lot with the
Confederacy; he was made adjutant-general of the Confederacy and chief of staff to Gen. Earle Van
Dorn; after the battle of Pea Ridge he was promoted brigadier-general, and led a division at
Corinth, where he was made major-general; he was given command of the department of the Gulf, and
was in charge of the defenses at Mobile; after the war he returned to Richmond and took part in
organizing the Southern Historical Society and the Westmoreland Club; in 1859 he published
"Skirmished drill for Mounted Troops"; he subsequently published "Recollections of a Virginian,"
and a school history of Virginia; General Maury was a vigorous and chaste writer, a charming
companion, and chivalrous gentleman, and at the time of his death, which occurred at the home of
his son in Peoria, Illinois, he counted among his friends all who had ever known him; his remains
were brought to Fredericksburg, where they were laid in the soil of his native state, which he
loved with a passionate devotion. He died in 1900.
[Page 76]
Moore, Patrick T., born in Galway, Ireland, September 22, 1821.
Prior to the war he was a merchant, and captain of militia in Richmond, Virginia. In the spring
of 1861 he was commissioned colonel of the First Regiment Virginia Infantry, and assigned to
Longstreet's brigade; in the battle of Manassas was severely wounded in the head while leading
his regiment. During the seven days' campaign before Richmond, he served upon the staff of Gen.
Longstreet. In May, 1864, he organized the reserve forces of Virginia; later in the year was
promoted to brigadier-general, and given command of First Brigade, Virginia Reserves, under Gen.
Ewell. He died February 20, 1883.
[Pages 76-77]
Mosby, John Singleton, was born in Powhatan county, Virginia,
December 6, 1833, son of Alfred D. and Virginia I. (McLaurine) Mosby and grandson of Catharine
(Steger) Mosby and of Jane (Ware(McLaurine. He prepared for college in Charlottesville and
graduated at the University of Virginia with honors in Greek, June 29, 1852. He studied law and
practiced in Bristol, Washington county. He was married, December 30, 1856, to Pauline Clarke, of
Kentucky, and they had six children. In 1861 he enlisted in a company recruited by William E.
Jones, for the First Virginia Cavalry, of which he became adjutant. Later, he was a scout at Gen.
J. E. B. Stuart's headquarters, and guided Stuart's command to the rear of McClellan's army on
the Chickahominy, June 14, 1862. In January, 1863, he recruited a force of cavalry in northern
Virginia with which, aided by friendly citizens of Fauquier and Loudoun counties, he harassed the
Federals, cut communications and destroyed supply trains. When not on active duty his men
scattered for safety, with the understanding that they were to assemble at a given time and
place. This system of warfare exasperated the Federal commanders who tried to capture the
partisan leader, and this failing, the searching party destroyed the cops and farmhouses
belonging to the citizens thought to have harbored or abetted Mosby or his men. At Chantilly,
March 16, 1863, he routed a superior Federal cavalry force, and at Dranesville, April 1, 1863,
defeated a detachment of cavalry sent to capture him. During the battle of Chancellorsville he
surprised a body of Federal cavalry at Warrenton Junction, but was obliged to retreat before
overpowering numbers, which
he did without loss to his command. He then procured a howitzer and passed in the rear of Gen.
Hooker's army; wrecked a railroad train laden with supplies; inflicted severe damage on the troop
guarding the train, and finally cut his way through and escaped. He captured a transport near
Aquia creek in May, 1864, while Grant was engaged in the Wilderness and the Federal commander was
obliged to detach a cavalry force to protect his communications. With twenty-nine men he marched
into Fairfax Court House on the night of March 7, 1863, captured Gen. E. H. Stoughton at his
headquarters with a number of his staff, and delivered them as prisoners to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart.
His command was known at the Forty-third Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, and he was commissioned
successively captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel. C. S. A. After the close of the war
he engaged in the practice of law at Warrenton, Virginia. In 1876 he made public through a letter
to the "New York Herald" his intention to support the candidacy of Rutherford B. Hayes for the
presidency, and in this letter first applied the phrase the "Solid South," President Hayes
appointed him United States consul to Hong Kong, China, in 1871, and he retained the office until
1885. Returning to the United States he began the practice of law in San Francisco, California,
and became counsel for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. On September 23, 1899, a granite
monument, twenty-five feet high, was unveiled at Front Royal, Virginia by "Mosby's men," in
memory of the seven comrades executed near the spot, September 23, 1864, while prisoners of war
in the hands of the Federal army. In July, 1901, he was appointed special agent of the general
land office, with headquarters at Sterling, Colorado. He is the author of "A Bit of Partisan
Service" and "The Confederate Cavalry in the Gettysburg Campaign" in "Battles and Leaders of the
Civil War" (Vol. III, pages 148 and 251), and of "Mosby's War Reminiscences and Stuart's Cavalry
Campaign" (1887). See "Partisan Life with Mosby" by John Scott, (1867); "Mosby and His Men" by J.
M. Crawford, (1867), and "Mosby's Rangers," by J. J. Williamson (1895).
[Pages 77-78]
Munford, Thomas Taylor, born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1831, son
of Col. George Wythe Munford, for twenty-five years secretary of the commonwealth. He graduated
in 1852 from the Virginia Military Institute, and was mainly engaged as a planter. On May 8,
1861, he entered service as lieutenant-colonel of the Thirtieth Virginia Mounted Infantry,
subsequently known as the Second Cavalry Regiment. At Manassas he commanded what was practically
a brigade. In the spring of 1862 he was attached to Ewell's command, and then joined Jackson in
the valley. He succeeded Ashby, when that officer fell, being personally named by Gen. R. E. Lee.
He led Jackson's advance in the Chickahominy campaign, and joined Stuart in the Manassas
campaign, receiving two sabre wounds. He was brigade commander in the Maryland campaign, and
later commanded a division. After Chancellorsville he commanded Fitzhugh Lee's brigade, under
whom he took part in the Gettysburg campaign; was with Early in the valley; and in November,
1864, was promoted to brigadier-general, and given command of Fitzhugh Lee's division. He made a
gallant fight at Five Forks, and on the retreat from Richmond. At Appomattox he commanded the
cavalry on the Confederate right, and, driving the enemy, moved toward Lynchburg. After the
surrender of Gen. Lee he endeavored to rally the scattered Confederate bands to make a junction
with Gen. Johnston, but failing, disbanded his men late in April. He retired to his home at
Lynchburg and lately has been residing at Uniontown, Alabama. He has taken much interest in
getting the governor and legislature to adopt a correct conception of the Virginia state seal.
[Page 78]
Page, Richard L., was born in Clarke county, Virginia, in 1807,
son of William Byrd Page and Ann (Lee) Page, his wife. He became a midshipman in the United
States navy in 1824, and cruised with Commodore Porter. In 1825 he was ordered to the
Brandywine, to convey Lafayette to France. He later was on duty on the Constitution,
the Constellation, and other famous vessels. In 1834 he was commissioned
lieutenant, and after cruising in various ships until 1837, was given two years' leave of absence
to visit Europe. Returning, he performed ship and shore duty until 1845, when he was made
executive officer and for two years lieutenant commanding Commodore Shubrick's flagship,
Independence. After duty at the Norfolk navy yard, in 1852-54 he was in command of the brig
Perry, and on returning, became executive officer at the Norfolk navy yard. When
Virginia seceded, he resigned, and was made aide on the staff of Gov. Letcher, and superintended
the fortifying of the James and Nansemond rivers. On June 10, 1861, he was commissioned
commander, C. S. N., was ordnance officer at Norfolk, and as a volunteer fired the eleven-inch
gun at Sewell's Point. Promoted to captain, he sat up at Charlotte, North Carolina, the machinery
removed from the Norfolk navy yard, and operated it for two years, meantime commanding the naval
forces at Savannah for a time. On March 1, 1864, he was commissioned brigadier-general, and
commanded the outer works in Mobile Bay, opposing Farragut's fleet, and making a heroic defense
of Fort Morgan until the building took fire, necessitating capitulation. Gen. Page was held as a
prisoner of war until September, 1865, after which time he resided in Norfolk, where he was for
several years superintendent of the public schools.
[Pages 78-79]
Paxton, Elisha Franklin, born in Rockbridge county, in 1828, son
of Elisha Paxton, who served in the war of 1812, and grandson of William Paxton, who commanded a
Rockbridge company at the siege of Yorktown, in 1781. He graduated from Washington (Virginia)
College, from Yale College, and in law from the University of Virginia, and practiced his
profession at Lexington. He was an original secessionist. In April, 1861, as first lieutenant, he
accompanied his company to Harper's Ferry, and it was a part of the Fourth Virginia Regiment at
Manassas. In October, 1861, he was made major of the Twenty-seventh Infantry. In the following
spring he was attached to Gen. Jackson's staff, and shortly afterward was made adjutant-general
and chief-of-staff. In September, 1872, he was promoted to brigadier-general, and given command
of the "Stonewall" brigade, which he commanded at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Near
Germanna Junction, on May 3, 1863, while on foot leading his command, he was killed by a shot in
the breast. His remains rest within a few feet of his chief, in Lexington Cemetery.
[Page 79]
Payne, William Henry Fitzhugh, was born at Clifton, Fauquier
county, Virginia, January 27, 1830, eldest son of Arthur /Alexander Mason and Mary Conway Mason
(Fitzhugh(Payne; grandson of Capt. William and Marion (Morson) Payne, and of the Hon. Nicholas
and Sarah Washington (Ashton) Fitzhugh, and a descendant in the seventh generation from John
Payne, who with his brother William came to Virginia in 1620. His mother was a
great-granddaughter of Augustine Washington. He was educated at the University of Missouri, the
University of Virginia, and the Virginia Military Institute, and was married, September 29, ,
1852, to Mary Elizabeth Winston, daughter of Col. William Winter Payne (q. v.);
practiced law, and served as commonwealth's attorney for Fauquier county until 1869, save during
the suspension of civil duties, 1861-65. He entered the Confederate service as captain of the
Black Horse Cavalry, and in September, 1861, was promoted major of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry,
and took part in the Peninsular campaign. He was wounded, left on the field and reported dead in
the battle of Williamsburg, May, 1861, was taken prisoner, and after his release promoted
lieutenant-colonel, and placed in temporary command of the Second North Carolina Cavalry with
which regiment he held Warrenton, Virginia, against a Federal attack, thus preventing the capture
of 3,000 wounded Confederates in hospital there. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Hanover,
Pennsylvania, June 30, 1863, and on his exchange was promoted brigadier-general and commanded the
Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Thirty-sixth Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, which made up Payne's Brigade,
Fitzhugh Lee's Division, Early's army, operating in the valley against Sheridan in the fall of
1864, and south of the James river in the spring of 1865 in Fitzhugh Lee's Cavalry Corps. He was
conspicuous in the battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865, where he was wounded, Col. R. B. Boston
succeeding to the command of the brigade. He was captured, April 13, 1865, brought to Washington
April 16, was mistaken for the Payne implicated in the assassination of President Lincoln, and by
the firmness of the officer having him in charge was rescued from a mob intent on killing him. He
practiced law at Washington, D. C., and in 1902 was the counsel for the Southern Railway. He died
in Washington, D. C., March 29, 1904.
[Pages 79-80]
Pegram, John, was born in Petersburg, Virginia, January 24, 1832,
son of James West (1803-1844) and Virginia (Johnson) Pegram, and grandson of John and Martha Ward
(Gregory) Pegram and of William R. and Mary (Evans) Johnson. John Pegram was graduated from the
United States Military Academy in 1854 and was assigned to the dragoons. He served in California,
1854-57; was promoted second lieutenant of Second Dragoons, March, 1855, and served in Kansas and
Dakota, 1855-57. He was promoted first lieutenant February 28, 1857; served as adjutant of Second
Dragoons in the Utah expedition, 1857-58; was on leave of absence in Europe, 1858-60, and served
on the Navajo expedition of 1860. He was stationed in New Mexico, 1860-61, and resigned his
commission May 10, 1861. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the provisional army of Virginia;
commanded a detachment of about 1,300 men and four cannon at Rich Mountain, Virginia, in July,
1861, and sent a force of 350 men and one cannon, with orders to guard the rock at the mountain
summit. The force was attacked by Gen. Rosecrans and after a gallant defense defeated, and Col.
Pegram was forced to abandon his position, July 12, 1861. He retreated to Beverley and on account
of scarcity of food and on learning of Gen. Garrett's retreat, surrendered his force of thirty
officers and 525 men to Gen. McClellan, July 13, 1861. He was commissioned brigadier-general in
the Confederate army, November 7, 1862; was assigned to the command of a brigade made up of the
First Georgia and First Louisiana Cavalry regiments in Wheeler's cavalry corps, in the Army of
the Tennessee, where he was posted on the Lebanon Pike in the advance of Breckenridge's right. He
was promoted major-general and took part in the battle of Chickamauga in command of the second
division of Forrest's cavalry corps, and his division was held in reserve by Gen. Breckenridge.
He commanded a brigade in Early's division, Ewell's corps, in the Wilderness and at Cold Harbor,
and when Early assumed command of the Confederate army in the Shenandoah Valley he succeeded to
the command of Early's division and took a conspicuous art in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's
Hill and Cedar Creek. He commanded his division in Gordon's corps at Petersburg and Richmond,
December, 1864, to February, 1865. He was married in January, 1865, to Hetty Cary, of Baltimore,
Maryland. He was fatally wounded at Hatcher's Run, near Petersburg, and died on the battlefield,
February 6, 1865.
[Pages 80-81]
Pegram, Robert Baker, was born in Dinwiddie county, , Virginia,
December 10, 1811, son of Gen. John (q. v.) and Martha Ward
(Gregory) Pegram. He was appointed midshipman in the United States navy, February 2, 1829, and
served in the Mediterranean squadron. He was promoted lieutenant, September 8, 1841, and during
the war with Mexico, served under Capt. David G. Farragut on the Saratoga. In 1852 he
took part in the Japan expedition organized by the combined forces of the British ship
Rattler and the United States vessel Powhatan against a piratical fleet of
thirty-one junks, of which he captured sixteen, and also one hundred cannon with a loss to the
pirates of 600 men. For this service he was personally thanked by Admiral Sir James Stirling,
flag officer of the British East India squadron and by the government of Hong Kong and Great
Britain, and presented with a sword from the state of Virginia. He was on duty in the Norfolk
navy yard, 1856-60; served in the Paraguay expedition nine months of 1858, and as a commissioner
to define the limits of the Newfoundland fisheries in 1859.He resigned his commission in the
United States navy, April 17, 1861, and was appointed captain in the Confederate navy. He was
given command of the Norfolk navy yard after its evacuation by the Federal troops, April 21,
1861; fortified Pig Point on the Nansemond river, Virginia, and with its batteries disabled the
United States steamer Harriet Lane, which was surveying
and buoying the river. He commanded the steamer Nashville, October, 1861, to February,
1862. It was the intention of Mason and Slidell, the Confederate commissioners, to take passage
on the Nashville, and for this purpose Pegram was to run the blockade from Charleston;
but they feared to take the chances, and while he ran the blockade successfully in October, 1861,
they were captured on board the British mail steamer Trent. Pegram after capturing the
Harvey Birch in the English Channel, landed his prisoners in Southampton and was held in
port by the United States steamer Tuscarora until February, when he effected his escape
and made harbor at Beaufort, North Carolina. He was detailed to superintend the armament of the
iron-clad steamer Richmond, which he took to Drewry's Bluff, when he was transferred to
the new iron-clad Virginia, the best vessel in the Confederate fleet. In 1864 funds were
raised by Virginia to purchase and equip in England, a naval force to be called the Virginia
Volunteer Navy, to be commanded by Capt. Pegram. He went to England for the purpose, and had one
vessel in readiness when Lee surrendered. He was married (first) to Lucy Binns Cargill, of Sussex
county, who was the mother of his seven children; and (secondly) to Sarah Leigh, of Norfolk. His
eldest son, John Cargill Pegram, was killed in battle before Petersburg, June 16, 1864, while a
member of the staff of Gen. Matthew W. Ransom, of North Carolina, who commanded the Fourth
brigade in Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson's division, Gen. R. H. Anderson's corps. Capt. Pegram died in
Norfolk, Virginia, October 24, 1894.
[Pages 81-82]
Pendleton, Alexander Swift, who had attained the rank of
adjutant-general in the Confederate army, serving as such at the time of his death in the Second
Corps in the Army of Northern Virginia, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, September 28, 1840,
at what is now the Episcopal High School of which his father, the Rev. Dr. William N. Pendleton,
was then the rector; his father was afterwards chief of artillery of the Army of Northern
Virginia; his mother was Anzolette Elizabeth (Page) Pendleton, daughter of Francis Page, Esq., of
Hanover county, Virginia. Alexander S. Pendleton received his early education under his father's
tuition, at thirteen years of age entered Washington College, Lexington, Virginia, and in his
senior year, before he was sixteen years old, was tutor in mathematics, and in 1857, before he
was seventeen, was graduated at the head of his class, receiving the first honor of the college,
and being appointed to deliver the "Cincinnati Oration"; entered the University of Virginia, in
1859, and in one year was graduated in half of the academic classes, intending to apply for the
master's degree the following year; this was prevented by his entering the confederate army, in
which he was offered a second lieutenantcy; he was on the staff of Col. Thomas J. Jackson, and
his successors; was promoted for conspicuous gallantry at Falling Waters and at Manassas, and was
again and again recommended for promotion; after the seven days' fight around Richmond, he was
made a captain and was also promoted major in the same year; he was with Gen. Jackson at
Chancellorsville when the latter was shot; when Gen. Ewell succeeded Gen. Jackson, he was
promoted lieutenant-colonel and occupied the same position on the staff; he was offered a
brigade, but declined it to hold the position which he preferred; he was Gen. Early's
chief-of-staff in the famous march that he made from the Chickahominy to the gates of Washington,
and was known by all acquainted with the history of that movement as among the most efficient
officers in that command; after the battle of Winchester, in trying to stay the retreat at
Fisher's Hill, he was truck by a piece of shell, which proved to be his death wound;
thus he died September 23, 1864, before he was twenty-four years old; of him Col Allen said; "in
the long catalogue of useful sons who sprang to arms at her bidding and fell in her defense,
Virginia mourns noone more worthy of her grand renown and whose open life gave promise of a more
useful and distinguished future;" his wife, Kate (Corbin) Pendleton, of Moss Neck, survived him.
[Page 82]
Pendleton, William Nelson, born at Lexington, Virginia, December
23, 1809, son of Edmund Pendleton and Lucy (Nelson) Pendleton, his wife. He was graduated in 1830
from the United States Military Academy, where he formed a close friendship with Robert E. Lee
and Jefferson Davis. He was for a year an instructor at West Point, then as second lieutenant
served with the artillery at Fort Hamilton, New York, until 1833, when he resigned. He was a
professor at Bristol (Pennsylvania) College, and then at Delaware College. In 1837 he took orders
in the Episcopal church, and received the degree of D. D. In 1861 he became captain of artillery,
C. S. A. He commanded the Rockbridge artillery until shortly before the battle of Manassas, when
he was promoted to colonel and made chief of artillery to Gen. J. E. Johnston. It is told that in
the battle, when he brought his artillery into action, he said, with solemn reverence, "Lord,
have mercy on their souls!" He continued under Johnston, was promoted to brigadier-general, and
after Lee came into command of the army, served under him in the same capacity to the end of the
war. Under him the artillery rendered excellent service at Gettysburg. With Gens. Longstreet and
Gordon he arranged the details of the surrender. After the war he resumed his clerical duties at
Lexington. His only son, Col. "Sandie" Pendleton, was a member of Gen. Jackson's staff, and was
mortally wounded at the battle of Winchester. Gen. Pendleton died January 15, 1883.
[Pages 82-83]
Pickett, George Edward, born in Richmond, Virginia, son of Robert
Pickett, who took an active interest in affairs of church and state, of Henrico county, and of
Mary Johnston, his wife. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1846, and
commissioned brevet second lieutenant, Eighth Infantry. In the Mexican war he took part in the
siege of Vera Cruz, battle of Cerro Gordo, capture of San Antonio, battles of /Contreras,
Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and capture of City of Mexico, winning several brevets
for conspicuous gallantry. He was on frontier duty in Texas, 1849-55; promoted to captain, Ninth
INFANTRY, serving against the Indians in the far west. On June 25, 1861, he resigned and enterd
the Confederate service as colonel of Virginia troops, and went into service on the
Rappahannock river; promoted to brigadier-general and commanded a brigade in Longstreet's
division at the opening of the Seven Days fighting, and at Gaines' Mills was severely wounded and
had to leave the field. In 1862, promoted to major-general, he commanded a division under
Longstreet. He held Lee's center at Fredericksburg. His famous charge at Gettysburg became a
glowing theme for the poet, and an inspiring scene for the painter. He was given command of the
department of North Carolina, September 23, 1863. On May 18, 1864, he saved Petersburg from
capture, personally leading the troops that took the Federal works, and turning its guns on the
retreating foe. His division received the full force of the Federal attack at Five Forks, April
1, 1865. Appointed to West Point by Lincoln, then a congressman, Gen. Pickett declined the United
States marshalship tendered him by President Grant, and engaged in the life insurance business.
He died in Norfolk, July 30, 1875, and was buried at Hollywood, Richmond.
[Page 83]
Posey, Carnot, who was one of the brilliant and gallant soldiers
of the Confederate army, attaining the rank of general, was born in Wilkinson, Mississippi,
August 5, 1818; attended the schools of his native place, and in 1836 entered the University of
Virginia, there pursued a law course, and subsequently engaged in the active practice of his
profession; shortly afterward he entered the Mexican war as lieutenant of volunteers, fought
under Col. Jefferson Davis, and was wounded at Buena Vista; at the outbreak of the civil war he
joined the Confederacy as colonel of the Sixteenth Mississippi Regiment, and on November 1, 1862,
was made a brigadier-general, his brigade consisting of four Mississippi regiments, which formed
a part of Anderson's division of A. P. Hill's famous corps of the Army of Northern Virginia; in
the fight of Bristow Station he was mortally wounded, October 14, 1863, and died November 13,
1863, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
[Pages 83-84]
Price, Sterling, was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia,
September 14, 1809, son of Pugh W. Price. He attended Hampden-Sidney College, studied law under
Chancellor Creed Taylor at Prince Edward Court House; and with his father's family settled in
Keysville, Charlton county, Missouri, in 1831. He was a Democratic member of the legislature in
1836, 1840 and 1842 and at each session was chosen speaker. In 1844, he was elected to congress,
and when the war with Mexico broke out, he raised a regiment, and had an independent command in
New Mexico and Chihuahua. He gained victories over greatly superior forces at Cancada, Lambenda
and Taos. President Tyler made him a brigadier-general. Marching next against Chihuahua, he
captured an army double his own. This was really the last battle of the war. AT the next state
election he was elected governor of Missouri. He was president of the Missouri state convention,
and opposed secession, but when Capt. Lyon captured Camp Jackson, held by the state militia,
Price gave his support to Gov. Jackson. His was the difficult task of organizing and disciplining
the militia and attempting to win battle with half armed men against superior numbers well
equipped. He gathered 7,000 men at Carthage, Missouri, and on August 10, 1861, joined by Gens.
Ben. McCulloch and N. B. Pearce commanding troops from Texas and Arkansas, defeated the Federals
at Wilkins Creek, where Gen. Lyon was killed. At Lexington, on September 21, 1861, he defeated
Col. Mulligan and captured immense stores. The Federals under Gen. S. R. Custis advanced with
large forces, and Price retired into Arkansas, February 12, 1862. On March 6, 1862, he was
commissioned major-general in the regular Confederate service, and under Gen. Earl Van Dorn
fought the battle of Pea Ridge (Elkhorn), where he was wounded and narrowly escaped death.
Shortly after the battle of Shiloh, Gen. Price with his Missourians, accompanied Van Dorn to the
east of the Mississippi and after Bragg had departed for Kentucky, Price was left to face the
greatly superior numbers of Grant and Rosecrans. At Iuka and Corinth he and his men fought with
great bravery. The year 1863 found Price again in the trans-Mississippi region. At Helena, on
July 4, 1863, Price's men were the only part of the army that carried the enemy's works. He
cooperated with Kirby Smith in the campaign against Banks and Steele in 1864. He made his last
desperate effort to recover Missouri in the latter part of 1864. His campaign was marked by
brilliant achievements, but he was confronted by overwhelming numbers and forced to retreat. At
the close of the war he was included in Gen. Kirby Smith's surrender, but he preferred to leave
the country and went to Mexico. He engaged in a scheme of colonization under the imperial
government, but it was not successful. He returned to the United States and died at St. Louis,
September 29, 1867.