PVT Jacob Carper

PVT Jacob Carper was born in 1830 or 1832 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the youngest of 8 children of Jacob and Eliza (Keller) Carper. The family had been in Frederick County since at least 1790 and originated in Germany. Jacob's father farmed for himself before he began working for others to support his family.

Jacob was only 17-years old and unmarried when the Civil War began. He enlisted in K Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 10 Oct 1862, probably to be with his brother. PVT Carper's first battle may have been in a skirmish at Kearneysville, Virginia just 17-days later. He was likely then present with his unit for the Battle of Fredericksburg on 13 December. However, he fell ill with typhoid fever and was sent to General Hospital #8 also known as the Saint Charles Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. He died there on 30 Dec 1862.  

We believe that it is likely that PVT Carper is among the thousands of Confederate dead interred at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

Jacob had 3 brothers of whom 2 served in the war. William Harvey Carper served as a PVT in H Company 7th Virginia Cavalry Regiment and was wounded in the arm at Sappony Church, Virginia. George M Carper also served as a PVT in K Company 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment and was killed in action at Spotsylvania Court House on 12 May 1864.

PVT Ovid L. Abney

PVT Ovid L. Abney was born in 1844 near Mint Spring in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 7th of the 8 children of William Austin and Virginia Lewis (Kinsolving) Abney. His father was a prosperous farmer with real estate valued at over $11,400 in 1850 and and $19,700 in 1860. His father was the head of a household of 11 which included Ovid's sister Cornelia and her husband John Grills who was the brother of Lycurgus and Charles Washington Grills. The Grills were also first cousins! The country was drifting towards war in 1860. 

Ovid enlisted at Staunton, Virginia in E Company 5th Virginia Infantry (CSA) on 1 May 1862. The regiment left Staunton and marched to McDowell where PVT Abney was present for the battle although the regiment wasn't engaged. He would have then marched with the unit up and down the valley until the 5th Virginia was present for the Battle of Front Royal on 23 May 1862 although, again, it was not engaged. This would have given PVT Abney time to be drilled and to prepare for battle. He was present for the First Battle of Winchester on 25 May 1862. He then moved with the regiment to ultimately arrive at Port Republic for the last battle of Jackson's Valley Campaign. Surviving that, he marched east with the unit over the Blue Ridge mountains to participate in the Seven Days Battles, 25 Jun to 1 Jul 1862, and fought at Gaine's Mill and Malvern Hill. He was then with the regiment for more than a month of movement before fighting at Cedar Mountain on 8 Aug 1962. He would then fight with the 5th Virginia at the Battle of Groveton and at 2nd Manassas (28 Aug to 30 Aug 1862). PVT Abney was at the Battle of Chantilly where the regiment was in reserve and in the capture of Harpers Ferry on 15 Sep 1862. He may have fought at Antietam on 17 Sep 1862 but he might already have been sick with typhoid as he was sent home with the fever to recuperate on 20 Sep 1862. He apparently lingered for quite a while and died on 11 Nov 1862.

PVT Abney is buried with other family including Lycurgus and Charles Washington Grills in the Abney Family Cemetery near Mint Spring, Virginia. 

 

PVT James H. Argenbright

PVT James H. Argenbright was born in 1841 near Arbor Hill in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of the 13 children of John Augustus and Jane (Dunlap) Argenbright. His father farmed there and may have worked as a distiller of rye whiskey but in 1860 was primarily working as a cooper together with James' older brother, David. 

James enlisted at nearby West View, Virginia on 29 Apr 1861 just 12 days after Virginia voted for succession. He then mustered with F Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 17 May 1861. He was with the unit at Harper's Ferry, the Battle of Falling Waters and, on 21 Jul 1861, the First Battle of Manassas. He was wounded at Manassas but recovered to the point that he returned to F Company on 15 Oct 1861. James was present with the unit as it fought in Jackson's Valley Campaign in the spring and summer of 1862. PVT Argenbright was with his unit at Seven Days, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain, Groveton, Second Manassas, and the Siege of Harper's Ferry. Then the army moved into Maryland and met the Federal units at Sharpsburg, the deadliest battle to that date. PVT James Argenbright was wounded there and evacuated to J. H. Groves farm where he died of his wound(s) on 6 Oct 1862. 

It is believed that PVT Argenbright was ultimately buried in the Washington Confederate Cemetery at Hagerstown, Maryland.

An uncle and 2 brothers also served in F Company 5th Virginia. Uncle Andrew Jackson Argenbright served as a PVT from 1861 until captured at Spottsylvania Court House in May 1864 and imprisoned at Fort Delaware. Brothers, CPL David Francis Argenbright and PVT Levi Argenbright also served, David enlisting in 1861 and Levi in 1864.

1LT Charles Washington Grills

1LT Charles Washington Grills was born in 1842 in Pulaski County, Virginia. He was the youngest of the 5 children of Charles F. and Isabella (Abney) Grills. His mother died age 36 in 1845 and his father died at about age 45 just 5-years later. In 1850 Charles and his older siblings were living with their grandmother, Elizabeth Parks (McClanahan) Abney on her farm near Mint Springs, Virginia. Valued at $1800, Charles' oldest brother John farmed it for the family. The younger children undoubtedly helped with the farm work. Another brother, Byrd, moved with some Abney cousins to Morgan County, Missouri and had built up an estate of $3912 by 1860 but he died in 1861.

Charles enlisted on 18 Apr 1861 in nearby Greenville, Virginia. This was just the day after Virginia voted to succeed from the union. He mustered with E Company 5th Virginia Infantry as the Orderly Sergeant. He was promoted shortly after being commissioned as a 1LT in the company on 23 May 1861. 1LT Grills then fought with the unit until 28 Aug 1862 at the 2nd Battle of Manassas when he was wounded in a leg. The leg had to be amputated. Evacuated to Augusta County, Virginia, near home, he died from complications arising from his wound or the treatment on 2 Oct 1862. 

1LT Grills was buried in the Abney Family Cemetery near Mint Springs, Virginia.  

His brother, Lycurgus Grills, served as an officer in E Company 5th Virginia Infantry commanding it after 2nd Manassas.

PVT Jeremiah Dinkle

courtesy of Misty Ortiz

PVT Jeremiah Dinkle was born about 1830 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 5 children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Showalter) Dinkle. The family lived near Burke's Mill in 1850 where his father farmed and reported an estate of $7000. Jeremiah undoubtedly grew up helping his father farm. Jeremiah married Caroline Sheffer in Rockingham County on 26 Mar 1857. The couple had a son 10-months later near Pudding Spring in northern Augusta County. The couple apparently moved to Burke's Mill, closer to his parents but not adjoining his father's farm. They reported that their estate was valued at $5150 in 1860. With a farm and young family, Jeremiah did not rush to enlist in the first months of succession. 

Whatever motivated him, Jeremiah enlisted in G Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 23 Mar 1862 at Rude's Hill, Virginia. This was likely immediately after the Battle of Kernstown or while it was occuring that same day. This was in the beginning of Jackson's Valley Campaign and Jeremiah would have then fought at McDowell, Front Royal, and Winchester before he became sick with a fever, likely typhoid, and was hospitalized at Winchester where he died on 15 Sep 1862. 

PVT Dinkle was laid to rest with other Confederate soldiers at the Stonewall Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

Brother, George William Dinkle, served as a PVT in C Company 52nd Virginia Infantry and died of a fever at home where he'd been sent to recover on 12 Nov 1861. Jeremiah is survived by at least 2 great, great grandchildren.

PVT John M. Cloud

courtesy of George Seltz

PVT John M. Cloud was born in 1833 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the 3rd child of 9 and youngest son of William and Nancy Jane (Butterfield) Cloud. His father supported the family as a laborer before becoming a miller. John and his brothers were also working as laborers as early as 1850 when John was 17 and he was working as a farm hand while living with his parents (perhaps on their land) in 1860.

John and his brother enlisted in K Company 5th Virginia on 8 Jun 1861 just 2-days after his brother. The brothers would have fought together at First Manassas and through Jackson's Valley Campaign before the Second Battle of Manassas on 29 and 30 Aug 1862. PVT John Cloud was killed in action on 30 Aug 1862. His body was recovered and he was ultimately buried in the Stonewall Confederate Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

John's brother, Amos Cloud, served in C Company 2nd Virginia Infantry and was wounded 3 times but survived the war and brother, Uriah Cloud, served in K Company 5th Virginia Infantry wounded at Hainesville.

COL William Smith Hanger Baylor

COL William Smith Hanger Baylor was born in Augusta County, deep in the Valley of Virginia, on April 7, 1831, the only son of Jacob and Eveline Hanger. His father was an ex-judge who owned a prospering farm near Staunton. Even in his early youth Baylor displayed an unusually pleasing personality. He received his local schooling at the Staunton Academy and, in 1850, graduated from Washington College in Lexington. An outstanding debater, Baylor earned his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1853 and returned home to hang out his shingle. In 1857 he was elected commonwealth's attorney for Staunton and held the post through successive elections until his death. When a local militia company was organized in the late 1850’s, Baylor also was elected captain of the West Augusta Guards, and quickly elevated it to one of the finest militia companies in the state. This unit was one of the first called out to repel John Brown’s raid in October, 1859. But Baylor was not there to lead it. He had gone to New York on his honeymoon, where he was stricken with typhoid fever. However, he was present with the unit at the execution of John Brown.

When several volunteer companies from Augusta County were organized at the beginning of the war in the spring of 1861, Baylor was chosen their colonel. In April the units were ordered to Harper's Ferry and mustered into Confederate service as the 5th Infantry Regiment, Virginia Volunteers; in the reorganization Baylor was appointed major. Thomas J. Jackson wrote at least one letter to Richmond in which he upheld Baylor as his most dependable and deserving subordinate during the critical weeks of organization at Harper's Ferry.

Baylor served with distinction in a skirmish at Falling Waters and again, three weeks later, at Manassas. With the reorganization of the Stonewall Brigade in mid-April, 1862, Baylor was named to the command of the 5th Virginia Infantry. From that moment on, in a unit distinguished for its valor, he set an example. LTC Baylor fought with distinction in Jackson's Valley Campaign and had his horse shot from under him while leading a charge at Winchester forcing him to lead the final assault on foot. During the Seven Days he was cited several times for conspicuous bravery. After the battle of Cedar Run/Cedar Mountain in August 1862, Baylor was given command of the Stonewall Brigade. However his courage and disregard of personal safety made him an easy target in battle, Baylor’s first campaign at the head of the Stonewall Brigade was his last. Just 10 days after assuming command, before his promotion to brigadier could be confirmed, he was killed towards the end of 2nd Manassas, carrying the flag of the 33rd Virginia. Baylor's body was taken from the battlefield and returned to Augusta County where he was buried in the Hebron Presbyterian churchyard.

PVT Smith Bateman

PVT Smith Bateman was born in 1841 in Augusta County, Virginia the 7th of 8 children of Smith and Susan (Lohr) Bateman. His father was a farmer whose property near Staunton, Virginia was valued at $1488 in 1850 $3720 in 1860. 

Smith had enlisted in the 32nd Virginia Militia Regiment before March 1860 but he didn't enlist in H Company 5th Virginia Infantry until 10 Mar 1862. This was just prior to the first battle of Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862 and the beginning of BG Jackson's Valley Campaign. PVT Bateman fought in the battles of that campaign and was apparently noticed because he was promoted to CPL on 16 Jul 1862. He was with the unit in the 2nd battle of Manassas on 30 Aug 1862 in which he was one of the 14 men killed in action.

We believe that he was buried on the battlefield.

His 4 brothers also served during the war PVT William F Bateman was killed in action on 30 May 1864 at Bethesda Church in G Company 52nd Virginia Infantry commanded by brother CPT Elijah Bateman.  George W. and James P. Bateman  served as PVTs in E Company 1st Virginia Cavalry.

BG Charles Sidney Winder

BG Charles Sidney Winder was born in Talbot County, Maryland on 18 Oct 1829. He was the fifth of seven children of Edward Stoughton and Elizabeth Tayloe (Lloyd) Winder. The Winder family was well established in Maryland and wealthy, owning several thousand acres in the state. Charles' father was an officer in the 2nd Dragoons, commanding A Company in 1837-1840 and away from home much of the time. Charles was educated, as many were at the time, by tutors and being self-taught.

Charles graduated twenty-second in the West Point class of 1850 and then served on garrison and frontier duty for the next ten years. While on board a ship to California in 1854, he displayed outstanding heroism when the the ship was caught in a hurricane. This act earned him promotion to Captain, supposedly the youngest man of that rank in the army at the time. Charles was married in 1855 to Alice Lloyd and the couple would have three children over the next five years. Resigning his commission on 1 Apr 1861, he entered Confederate service as a Major of artillery. He participated in the bombardment of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, and on 8 July of that year he became Colonel of the 6th South Carolina Infantry. COL Winder was promoted to Brigadier General on 7 Mar 1862 and he was selected by Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson to command the Stonewall Brigade. A strict, disciplinarian, he enforced the rules, and veterans despised him. BG Winder commanded the Brigade during Jackson's 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Then, on 9 Aug 1862, during the Battle of Cedar Mountain, he was badly wounded by an exploding shell and died on the field a few hours later.

BG Winder rests forever at Wye House Cemetery in Easton, Maryland.

BG Winder is survived by several living descendants.  His father died at home of an unknown disease contracted while serving at Fort Heilman, Florida in the Second Seminole War. Grandfather, MG Levin Winder, served in the Maryland Line during the revolution and commanded the Maryland Militia after the war and was elected Governor of Maryland, 1812-1815.

 

PVT Joseph Allhiser

PVT Joseph Allhiser was born about 1805 in Virginia. He worked as a laborer, probably on somebody else's farm as late as 1850. At that time he and his wife Nancy had 7 children living with them. Their 2 oldest sons, John and James, were also working by that time; John was also working as a laborer and James was working for a miller.

Virginia units had been fighting as part of the Confederate States of America for about 9 months when Joseph, at the age of 57, enlisted in G Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 10 Mar 1862 he may have joined his unit but would have been a raw recruit indeed if he participated in the Battle of Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862. Like many other new soldiers, exposure to the diseases of an army camp and the privations of army life resulted in PVT Allhiser becoming sick and in hospital on 13 Apr 1862. The disease ran its course and PVT Allhiser succumbed to it and died on or just before 1 Jul 1862. 

We do not know if he was returned home for care as were many other soldiers or died where he was initially treated in Stanardsville, Virginia. We do not know where he was buried.

PVT George Glenn

PVT George Glenn was born 27 Sep 1822 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 3 children born to John and Margaret Ann (Hartsook) Glenn. He followed in his father's footsteps and took up farming and started a family in 1851 by marrying Barbara Catherine Lowman. George's brother William would marry Barbara's older sister in 1860. The couple soon had children, daughter Elizabeth Margaret in 1852 and son John Abraham in 1855. George was farming near Staunton in 1860. His farm was valued at $900 and his personal estate was $661. 

With the responsibilities of a family and farm George did not enlist until 14 Mar 1862. He mustered with E Company 5th Virginia Infantry. It probably was not a long time until PVT Glenn was on the battlefield because GEN Jackson was conducting what would become known as the Valley Campaign at that time. His first battle may have been Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862 or perhaps McDowell or Front Royal (where the unit was not engaged) on 8 May and 23 May 1862 respectively. He may have been at Winchester on 25 May 1862 but we know he was with the unit at Port Republic on 9 Jun 1862 because it was there that he was wounded. It appears that he was then evacuated to Greenville, Virginia to receive further medical care and he died there on 28 Jun 1862. 

It is possible that being from the area his family was notified shortly after he was wounded and they were able to collect his body at the time of death or shortly after and he was buried with his parents in what is now the Saint John's Reformed Church of Christ Cemetery about 6½-miles from Greenville in Middlebrook, Virginia. Saint John's was a Lutheran church at the time and this is likely the church at which his family worshiped. 

George has several living descendants. 

1LT Arthur Jay Arnold

Alexandria Gazette, 23 Jul 1862

1LT Arthur Jay Arnold was born in Alexandria, Virginia on 29 Aug 1838. He was the oldest son and  2nd of 9 children born to John and Ann Elizabeth (Mitchell) Arnold. His father was a hatter and owned a successful hat and fur shop at the corner of King and Royal Streets in what is now "Old Town" Alexandria. Arthur was accepted at the University of Virginia in 1858 and attended for 2 years before becoming a teacher at Sangersville in Augusta County, Virginia. 

It was probably his association with neighbors in Sangersville that caused him to enlist as a SGT in I Company 5th Virginia Infantry. SGT Arnold was promoted to 2LT on 30 Jul 1861 in the aftermath of the 1st Battle of Manassas and was elected on 14 Apr 1862. He fought with the unit from the day he enlisted until wounded at the Battle of Port Republic on 9 Jun 1862. It is probable that he was evacuated with Jackson's soldiers when they crossed the Blue Ridge to rejoin General Lee's army and was sent to Port Royal, Virginia where he died of his wounds on 13 Jun 1862. It is unknown where 1LT Arnorld is buried. 

Only one brother seems to have served in the military during the Civil War and that was John Alexander Arnold who served as a PVT in H Company 17th Virginia Infantry (CSA) and was wounded at 2nd Manassas.

PVT John Brubeck

courtesy of McCrea-Brady

PVT John Brubeck was born 15 May 1833 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of 8 children born to John and Elizabeth (Snyder) Brubeck.  His father farmed 132 acres valued at $1848 in 1850 with 4 horses, 5 cows and 11 hogs. Young John undoubtedly worked the farm with his father. He married Frances Rebecca Rusmiselle on 17 Dec 1857. The couple farmed on a small 60-acre farm on Smoke Run (now Smoky Row Creek), just west of Staunton, Virginia, and had their first child in March 1859 and a second in 1861.

John enlisted in the "Southern Guard" under the command of CPT H. J. Williams on 17 Apr 1861. He was with the unit when it was mustered into Confederate States service as D Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 1 Jun 1861 and at the battles of Falling Waters, First Manassas, First Kernstown, McDowell, Front Royal, First Winchester, and, finally, at Port Republic where PVT Brubeck was one of nine men killed in action on 9 Jun 1862.

PVT Brubeck was buried at Mount Tabor Luthern Church Cemetery at Middlebrook, Virginia. 

John's wife Frances died of diptheria less than one month after John's death and the two children were apparently raised by their maternal grandmother and other relatives. The couple have many descendants living today.

John's brothers David Franklin Brubeck and James Louis Brubeck also served as PVTs in D Company  and Adam Snyder Brubeck also served as a PVT in D Company 25th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War.

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CPL John F Doom

courtesy of JMB

CPL John F. Doom was born 7 Mar 1838 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 10 children born to Madison and Margaret (McAleer) Doom. Madison would support his family in several ways over the years working as a shoemaker in 1850 and a gardener with John in 1860. Madison's total estate was reportedly worth $400 in 1860. By that date only 7 of Madison and Margaret's 10 children were still living. 

John enlisted on 17 Apr 1861 just the day before Virginia voted to succeed from the union. He was mustered into service with L Company 5th Virginia as a PVT on 18 May 1861. PVT Doom then fought at First Manassas and did a stint as an artilleryman before the unit was reconverted from an artillery battery to infantry in April 1862 at which time he was promoted to CPL. GEN Jackson's Valley Campaign wasn't over yet and CPL Doom was present for battles at McDowell, Front Royal, Winchester, and, on 9 Jun 1862 at Port Republic. CPL Doom was killed in action on 9 Jun 1862. 

Being so close to home when he was killed, CPL Doom was returned to Staunton and interred in Thornrose Cemetery there. 

John's younger brother, James M. Doom, also served in L Company 5th Virginia Infantry and was killed in action at The Wilderness in 1864.

PVT James Buchanan Berry

courtesy of Isabelle Chewning

PVT James Buchanan Berry was born 28 Sep 1834 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of the 7 children born to John Ralston and Nancy Hughart (Buchanan) Berry. The family farmed south of Staunton and in 1860 his father reported that his farm was worth $12,750 and that his personal estate was worth $3,840 or as much as $12-million in today's money, successful by any measure. 

James went to Lexington, Virginia and on 10 Mar 1862 he enlisted in the Rockbridge Light Artillery but left the unit on 29 Apr 1862 and mustered into D Company 5th Virginia Infantry on that same day. PVT Berry was then with his company at the Battles of McDowell, Front Royal, and First Winchester although the company apparently was not engaged except at Winchester. This was part of General Jackson's famous Valley Campaign and the next battle was at Port Republic in southeastern Rockingham County, Virginia and PVT James Berry was one of 9 men of the 5th Virginia killed in action there on 9 Jun 1862. 

PVT Berry was buried in what is now the New Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery with many of his family at Steele's Tavern, Virginia just 38 highway miles from where he was killed.

Both of James' brothers also served during the war. Older brother Charles Gambol Berry served in H Company 27th Virginia Infantry before joining D Company 5th Virginia in October 1864. Younger brother, John Ralston Berry, served in I Company 62nd Virginia Infantry before joining D Company 5th Virginia Infantry. Brother-in-law, John Wilson Beard, also served in D Company 5th Virginia Infantry.

BG Robert Julian Bradshaw

BG Robert Julian Bradshaw was born 11 Mar 1921 in Rice, Virginia. He was the only son and 2nd of the 3 children born to Robert Melville and Ruth Elizabeth (Hubbard) Bradshaw. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors and their relatives had been prominent in Prince Edward and the surrounding counties of Appomattox, Cumberland, Amelia, Nottoway, and Charlotte since before the revolution. His father operated a general store and was a Postmaster at Rice,Virginia for 35 years and farmed as well.

Julian enlisted in G Company 116th Infantry Regiment, Virginia Army National Guard on 21 Jun 1937 and was a SGT in the 116th Infantry Regiment when the unit was federalized on 3 Feb 1941. He was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class number 119 on 7 Dec 1942. His first duty assignment was as rifle and weapons Platoon Leader, Company G, 300th Infantry The Infantry School, School Troop BDE, Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. he married Nancy Thurber Courter on 6 Jul 1943. He was promoted to 1LT on 16 Mar 1946 and was assigned as Executive and Training Officer, 309 Company, 43rd Replacement battalion, France and Germany. Promoted to CPT on 14 Oct 1946 he was then assigned as Company Commander, Separation Center, Fort Meade, Maryland. He rejoined G Company 116th Infantry in 1947 when the Army National Guard was reorganized following the war. 

Julian and Nancy had a daughter in 1950 and a son in 1951. Executive Officer, Company G, 116th Infantry, 29th Division, Farmville , Virginia (1950-1956). Having previously worked as a U.S. Postal clerk, Julian also took over as Postmaster for the Rice, Virginia post office in 1956. He was President of Bush River Watershed Association in 1970.

He was assigned in 1961 as Adjutant, 1st Battle Group, 29th Division, Roanoke, Virginia, promoted to MAJ on 17 Jan 1963 and assigned as Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 29th Division, Lynchburg; promoted to LTC on 20 Nov 1967 and assigned as Assistant G-3/Executive Officer/Battalion Commander, HHC 2d Brigade, 29th Division, VA NG; Operations and Training Offficer/Adjutant General, HHD, Virginia National Guard; Brigade Commander, HHC, 116th Brigade, 28th Division VA NG; Brigade Commander, 3 Infantry, HHC, 116th Infantry Brigade, VA NG; Readiness Coordinator, HHD, Virginia National Guard. 1985 Commander George Washington Division Virginia State Guard.

His awards and decorations include: Reserve and Virginia National Guard Service, Virginia Legion of Merit, World War II Victory Medal, European Theater of Operations (5 Battle Stars), American Theater, American Defense.

Julian divorced Nancy 17 Aug 1980. He married Lucille Bernice Davis on 31 Jan 1981 but they divorced in July 1984. He married Elizabeth Marie Pendleton on 29 Dec 1984. Elizabeth died 29 Feb 2012.

BG Robert Julian Bradshaw passed away 24 May 2012 in Bethesda, Virginia and was interred in Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery in Rice, Virginia.

PVT John Robert Athey

PVT John Robert Athey was born 26 Oct 1842 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the youngest of the 4 children of Elisha or Elias J. and Emily (Ritter) Athey. Emily died in August 1845 and John's father married Emily's sister Alsinda before the year ended. Elisha and Alsinda would have 5 children together. His father was a weaver. In 1860 his father was working as a day laborer although he would return to weaving after the war. John was living with his father and step-mother/aunt, near Brucetown, Virginia and working as a hired hand on a local farm. 

Before BG Jackson began his valley campaign he moved to Winchester in an attempt to engage BG Banks forces but Banks would not engage. While the Confederate forces were in Winchester, John's brother William enlisted in A Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 11 Mar 1862. We don't know if his older brother's example motivated 19-year old John to enlist but he apparently went to the Stonewall Brigade in camp at Mount Jackson, Virginia and enlisted in I Company 2nd Virginia Infantry on 14 Mar 1862. He then fought with the unit at the first battle of Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862 only 9 days after enlisting. He was uninjured in that battle but he fell ill and was evacuated to a hospital in Lynchburg. He died there of pneumonia on 28 Apr 1862 just 5-days after his older brother. 

Like many of the soldiers who died in Lynchburg hospitals including his brother, PVT Athey is buried in the Lynchburg City Cemetery.

COL Thomas Spencer Dallas Sr.

Thomas as a Lieutenant in 1939

COL Thomas Spencer Dallas Sr. was born 12 Dec 1913 in Rockingham County, North Carolina, probably Leaksville. He was the 2nd of 5 children born to Philip Kyle and Della Ruth (Spencer) Dallas. His father worked as a clerk. The family moved to Martinsville, Virginia before 1930 where Philip worked as an insurance agent and later operated a grocery store. By 1940 he was working as a supply clerk in an auto shop.

Thomas enlisted in the local National Guard unit, H Company 116th Infantry, in 1932. He rose in rank to SGT by 1937 and then attended officer training and was commissioned as a 2LT on 10 Feb 1937. Thomas was again promoted, to 1LT, on 2 Mar 1939. He was with the unit when it was federalized on 1 Feb 1941 and the unit was still at Fort Meade, Maryland when he was promoted to CPT on 25 Aug 1941 when he was made 1st Battalion's S-1/Adjutant.

It was just a month later that Thomas married Fannie Mildred Graham of Martinsville. The couple likely didn't have much time together as the 116th was sent to Camp Blanding for further training before departing for England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942.  His first son would be born 12 Nov 1942. While in England, the 116th trained for the amphibious assault that would be a major element of the invasion of occupied northern France. The now MAJ Dallas came ashore in the 1st wave as Battalion Executive Officer at Omaha Beach, surviving the landing and helping to lead his battalion inland. For these efforts he would receive the Silver Star. On 29 Jun 1944 MAJ Dallas assumed command of 1st Battalion 116th Infantry. Thomas was wounded on 5 Aug 1944 and evacuated to hospital. He was not returned to the unit, coming by way of the replacement depot, on 7 Sep 1944.  Only 7 days later he would lead the battalion in an action for which he is much remembered, the capture of Fort Montbarey.

MAJ Dallas in Germany

Although he had what was described as a round "cherubic" face, MAJ Dallas had a reputation for a fierce temperament and was thought to be a solid combat leader. MAJ Dallas was supported by B Squadron, 141st Regiment, Royal Armored Corps; a platoon of the 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion (with 4 M-10s); part of B Company, 121st Combat Engineer Battalion; B Company 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion; and some 105mm cannon from Cannon Company 116th Infantry. A detailed story would be too long for this account but Dallas had the combat engineers clear several paths through the minefield surrounding the fort which task had to be accomplished in the dark. C Company would conduct an all-day fight to take control of the outer defenses on the west side of the fort. The 141st's Crocodile tanks (flamethrowers) went up against the fort by firing on the embrasures and they were supported by conventional tanks. The Crocodiles made it through and as B Company moved forward they were able to capture almost 80 of the enemy. The Americans needed to enter the fort and brought up the Crocodiles, tanks and even a 105mm cannon to fire on the gate. White phosphorus rounds fired through the gate into the courtyard apparently made a wreck of that part of the fort but there was still no entry to the courtyard. There was another passage and again, tank and cannon fire was used to open an access hole. The 121st Engineers managed to move nearly 1-ton of TNT into the hole and under a critical point of the north wall. It was now the 16 Sep 1944. After the recovery of the body of 2LT Durwood Settles (who MAJ Dallas knew from H Company pre-war, the charge was set-off at about 1700 hours. The explosion had the effect of collapsing the north wall so much that ladders weren't necessary for the soldiers who rushed in to capture the stunned German soldiers.

Dallas would receive a promotion to LTC on 12 Oct 1944. LTC Dallas sprained his leg on 27 Nov 1944 but remained on duty. On 3 Dec 1944 he was sent to hospital for "an old wound" but it is unclear what that wound was. LTC Dallas returned to his duties as Battalion Commander on 22 Dec 1944. He left for temporary duty in Britain on 24 Jan 1945 and returned to the unit on 1 Feb 1945. LTC Dallas left for another 3-days temporary duty in Britain on 25 Mar 1945 and was back with the unit on the 30th.

After demobilization, LTC Dallas helped to reactivate the National Guard. He returned to active duty in June 1951. He would take his family with him for a tour of duty in Japan in 1955. By 1962 COL Dallas was senior Army advisor to the Alaska National Guard. On 25 Apr 1962 the helicopter in which he was riding crashed and he and 7 other passengers and crew were killed.

COL Dallas was buried with his wife in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Great-grandfather Joshua Thomas Spencer served in E Company 1st Virginia Infantry (CSA). Great-grandfather William Hagood served as a PVT in G Company 21st Virginia Cavalry and K Company 6th Virginia Infantry (CSA). 

Note: this memorial was published on the 50th anniversary of COL Dallas passing due to the limitations imposed by Blogger.

PVT William Henry Athey

PVT William Henry Athey was born 18 Nov 1836 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the oldest of the 4 children of Elisha or Elias J. and Emily (Ritter) Athey. Emily died in August 1845 and William's father married Emily's sister Alsinda before the year ended. Elisha and Alsinda would have 5 children together. His father was a weaver and William was working at the trade by the time he was 15-years old. In 1860 his father was working as a day laborer although he would return to weaving after the war. William was living with his grandmother, Martha Ritter, near Berryville, Virginia and also working as a laborer, probably at a variety of available jobs. 

Before BG Jackson began his valley campaign he moved to Winchester in an attempt to engage BG Banks forces but Banks would not engage. While the Confederate forces were in Winchester, William enlisted in A Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 11 Mar 1862. He then fought with the unit at the first battle of Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862 which he survived apparently without injury. However, the newly enlisted soldier fell ill and was evacuated to a hospital in Lynchburg. He died there of typhoid fever on 23 Apr 1862 just 42-days after enlisting. 

Like many of the soldiers who died in Lynchburg hospitals, PVT Athey is buried in the Lynchburg City Cemetery.

Brother, John Robert Athey, served as a PVT in I Company 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment (in the same, Stonewall Brigade) and died of disease on 28 Apr 1862 in Lynchburg, Virginia and is also buried in the City Cemetery.

2LT James Wilkinson Dale

2LT James Wilkinson Dale was born about 1842 in New Castle County, Delaware. James was the 3rd of the 10 children of John and Frances Eleanor (Boyd) Dale. His father farmed, was a postmaster of Port Penn, Delaware and engineer who had, by 1858, settled in Bridgeville, Delaware where he farmed. James requested an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1857 and was accepted and reported in 1858. 

Virginia voted for succession on 17 Apr 1861 and soon after Cadet Dale refused to take the oath and resigned from West Point on 21 Apr 1861. He headed south and arrived at Harper's Ferry, Virginia in May 1861 with nothing but the clothes on his back and a sword. He was tasked with drilling the many new recruits (the Virginia troops were very raw at this time) and was noted by the then COL Thomas J. Jackson (not yet "Stonewall") as having "military bearing, industrious habits, and a superior mind". Having received several recommendations, James was appointed as a 2LT in C Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 29 Jul 1861 but it is likely that he was present at the First Battle of Manassas.and with his company. 2LT Dale was again elected as the 2LT in C Company in November 1861 and would have then taken part in the Romney Campaign but otherwise from January to March 1862 his life was mostly in winter quarters with his unit at Camp Zollicofer, about 4-miles north of Winchester, Virginia. 

General Jackson began what would be known as the Valley Campaign on 11 March with a march north to oppose Banks but advance units missed their mark and the attack was abandoned. The regiment then marched 42-miles south to Mount Jackson, Virginia along what is now U.S. 11 and spent the next 7-days in camp there. They left camp on 22 March to pursue Federal troops moving north down the valley stopping at Cedar Creek. The next day the army marched 10 miles to Kernstown where the Union forces were engaged. The regiment spent most of the battle in reserve but was assigned to cover the Confederate withdrawal. In that fight, 9 men were killed, 48 wounded and 4 went missing out of 450 soldiers present for duty. One of those 9 men was 2LT James Dale. The enemy was apparently very close and advancing when he was shot but he refused to be carried from the field, was laid on a haystack and left behind.

2LT Dale's body was recovered and interred in the Stonewall Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. After the war John Dale had his son's body exhumed and brought to Bridgeville for reburial. It is supposed that James was laid to rest with family members but his place of burial is unknown. His parents were buried in the Bridgeville Cemetery and he might be buried near them there.