PVT John R. Adams

courtesy of Ginger Thrush

PVT John R. Adams (aka James R. Adams) was born 2 Jul 1842. We aren't sure when he enlisted but he was captured near Halltown, Virginia (now West Virginia) on 25 Sep 1864 while his unit, D Company 57th Virginia Infantry, was in the area. He may have changed units but was at one time a soldier in the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment. He was taken to Camp Chase, Ohio where he died of disease on 15 Jun 1865. PVT Adams is buried in the Camp Chase Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

PVT Willie Eugene Young

PVT Willie Eugene Young was born 15 Jan 1925 in Hardeman County, Tennessee. He was the 2nd of 5 children born to Eddie Simon and Mamie E. (Rhodes) Young. His father farmed to support the family. Willie would finish his education with the 6th grade and then continued farming with his father.  

Willie was drafted in February 1943 and after training was sent to England in April 1944 and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry. With only a couple of months of training PVT Young was a part of the amphibious assault on Omaha Beach. He was killed in action on 6 Jun 1944 as B Company landed on the beach.

PVT Young was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred with family in the New Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Toone, Tennessee.

PVT James Bourne

courtesy of Forgotten Sons

PVT James Bourne was born 20 Apr 1843 in the village of Hothfield in County Kent, England. He was the 6th of the 11 children of James Attaway and Martha (Gillette) Bourne. He immigrated with his mother and 7 siblings arriving aboard the Mediator in New York harbor on 19 Jan 1848. The family was soon living in Tazewell County, Virginia where father James was working as a laborer in 1850. In the 1860 census, recorded on 18 Jun 1860, father James reported that he was farming in eastern Tazewell county and that his farm was worth $1200 and his personal estate was $360. James undoubtedly farmed with his father.

Young James was only 18 when the American Civil War began in 1861 and we believe that he enlisted soon after although it is possible that he did not enlist until 1864, mustering with H Company 5th Virginia Infantry. He would then have been present for every engagement in which the regiment participated over the next 3-years. PVT Bourne was captured with many other soldiers of the 5th Virginia on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House. Initially sent to the prisoner of war camp at Point Lookout, Maryland he was then sent to the camp at Elmira, New York. PVT Bourne died there of an inflammation of the lungs almost exactly 1-year after his capture. He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery with other Confederate dead, now Woodlawn National Cemetery, by former slave John W. Jones who kept detailed records of all the burials.

PVT Peter W. Bridges

PVT Peter W. Bridges was born about 1828 in Gloucester County, Virginia. He was the eldest of 4 children born to Thomas and Sarah J. Bridges. The family farmed near Matthews, Virginia. 

Peter enlisted on 5 Dec 1863 at Matthews mustering with F Company 5th Virginia Infantry. PVT Bridges was with the unit at The Wilderness and at Spotsylvania Court House where he was captured with many others in the 5th Virginia on 12 May 1864 and sent with them to the Prisoner of War camp at Fort Delaware. PVT Bridges contracted small pox and died at Fort Delaware on 13 Apr 1865. He was buried on the eastern shore of the river in what is now the Finn's Point National Cemetery in Pennsville, New Jersey.

Brothers, Thomas Frank Bridges and Benjamin Franklin Bridges, served as a PVTs in Armistead's Battery, Virginia Light Artillery and survived the war.

1LT Jefferson William Obet Funk

1LT Jefferson William Obet Funk was born 30 Jun 1841 near Winchester, Virginia in Frederick County. He was the second of three children born to Christopher "Christian" and and Elizabeth (Arnold) Funk. His father worked as a bricklayer and was somewhat successful with real estate valued at $3296 in 1860 but the remainder of his estate was only $75. The family likely raised most of their own food. Christian did well enough that his oldest son was able to get an education and become a physician by 1860. Jefferson was likely pursuing a similar path in life.

Jefferson enlisted as a SGT in A Company 5th Virginia Infantry at Winchester on 18 Apr 1861, the day after Virginia voted for succession. He was commissioned as a 2LT a year later, on 23 Apr 1862. He fought with the unit until captured at Spotsylvania Court House on 10 May 1864. Sent to Morris Island, South Carolina on 15 Aug 1864 then to Fort Pulaski, Georgia (he was one of the "Immortal 600") on 15 Dec 1864 and then to Fort Delaware on 12 Mar 1865. 1LT Funk died there on 26 May 1865 of chronic dysentery. His body was recovered and he now rests forever in the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

Brother of COL John Henry Stover Funk.

PVT John E. Clemmer

PVT John E. Clemmer was born in 1835 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 9th of the 14 children born to John Cyrus and Diannah Virginia (Crick or Creek) Clemmer. His father farmed in Rockbridge County in what is referred to District 51 on the 1850 census but is actually Disctrict 6 (VI in the Roman numerals on maps of the time) that is in the area of Steele's Tavern just south of the Augusta County line. John Cyrus Clemmer died 29 Oct 1857. With his father dead and many of his older siblings married and having moved away from the family farm, John apparently made the decision to live with and farm for his brother William near to Staunton, Virginia. 

The whole country was moving towards war and, after the events at Fort Sumpter Virginia voted to succeed on 17 Apr 1861 and John and several of his brothers enlisted on that same day and mustered with D Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 25 May 1861. John was with the unit until 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg where he was wounded in the head. PVT Clemmer recovered from his wound and rejoined his unit in April 1864. It was not long before he was again involved in combat in the Battle of The Wilderness. Soon after the unit was caught in the Mule Shoe salient in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House and PVT Clemmer was captured with many other men from the 5th Virginia. Sent to Fort Delaware which was on Pea Patch Island in the middle of the Delaware River along the Delaware and New Jersey border, PVT Clemmer was held there until he succumbed to dysentery and died on 19 Mar 1865. As with many of those prisoners who died there he was taken across the river and buried in an unmarked grave at what is now Finn's Point National Cemetery in Pennsville, New Jersey.

Other family members served during the American Civil War as well. Brothers, Jacob Franklin Clemmer, George Lewis Clemmer, William Letcher Clemmer and Henry Clay Clemmer, also served as PVTs in D Company 5th Virginia Infantry. Brother Joseph Alexander Clemmer served as a PVT in H Company 14th Virginia Cavalry.

COL William Henry Harman

COL William Henry Harman was born 17 Feb 1828 in Waynesboro, Virginia. He was the second of the five brothers born to Lewis and Sarah Jane (Garber) Harman, all of whom would serve as officers in the Confederate States army during the Civil War. His father farmed in Augusta County. Like his brothers, William was given a private education. 

William left home to serve as a 2LT in the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment during the Mexican American War. After his return he studied law and married Margaret Susan Garber on 26 Dec 1848. He began work as a lawyer and was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Augusta County, Virginia in 1851 and held the position until the Civil War. 

William and Margaret had eight children. Their second child, Frances, died at the age of 2 of an undisclosed (or unknown) cause in 1850. Their eldest child, Kenton, died of a "sore throat" at the age of 7 in 1857. 

William was appointed Brigadier General of the 13th Brigade of Virginia Militia by Governor John Letcher on 10 Apr 1861. As such he was part of the plot initiated by former governor Henry Wise to preemptively seize the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry (now in West Virginia). After Virginia voted for succession on 17 Apr 1861, Governor Letcher approved the plan and BG Harman's troops under MG Kenton Harper captured the post on 18 Apr 1861. 

The 5th Virginia Regiment was organized there with COL Kenton Harper commanding and LTC William Harman as what would now be referred to as the executive officer. The regiment was assigned to BG Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's brigade (1st Virginia Brigade) and William's brother, COL Michael Garber Harman was initially the brigade's quartermaster and he was soon succeeded by their brother MAJ John Harman. The unit fought at First Manassas on 21 Jul 1861 where General Jackson received his nickname. William succeeded as commander of the 5th Virginia in September 1861 when COL Harper resigned. COL Harman commanded the regiment at the First Battle of Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862. He was not elected as Colonel of the regiment in the April 1862 reorganization of the Confederate army. Instead he served as an aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Edward "Alleghany" Johnson in the Valley Campaign in April 1862 and then returned home. 

He was appointed Assistant Adjutant General on 19 Feb 1864. He commanded a regiment of militia/reservists/home guard at the Battle of Piedmont on 5 Jun 1864. He survived that defeat and continued to serve. He was present to command CSA soldiers at the Battle of Waynesboro and was killed in action while attempting to rally his soldiers on 2 Mar 1865.

COL Harman's body was recovered and interred in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia. He is survived by numerous descendants. His brothers worked towards economic recovery for the region.

COL John Henry Stover Funk

COL John Henry Stover Funk was born in Frederick County, Virginia on 28 Jun 1837. He was the eldest of the four children born to Christopher and Elizabeth (Arnold) Funk. His father was a brick mason and the family lived on Market Street in Winchester, Virginia, the county seat of Frederick. Called "Stover" by his friends, John graduated from the Winchester Medical College in Winchester and began a medical practice in Farmington, Virginia (in Marion county in what is now West Virginia) in August1860.

When the Marion Rifles, a militia unit was formed in Marion County, John was elected Captain of the company. He enlisted, together with the other members of his unit, on 18 Apr 1861 and the unit was re-designated as A Company of the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment. He and his company fought at First Manassas. In April of 1862, with the reorganization of the army, Funk was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment then, after Colonel Baylor was killed leading the brigade at Second Manassas, Funk became Colonel of the regiment. When Brigadier General Paxton was killed at Chancellorsville, he temporarily commanded the brigade as the senior Colonel. He reverted to command the regiment when Brigadier James A. Walker ("Stonewall Jim") was assigned to command the brigade on 19 May. He fought at Culps Hill at Gettysburg. When the brigade was overwhelmed at the Mule Shoe on 12th May 1864, Funk was put in nominal command of the remnants of the Stonewall Brigade, while Col. William Terry (who was nearly a full year junior in seniority to Funk) was promoted to command the full brigade of the remnants of the rest of the division. Funk would serve with the "Stonewall Regiment" until he was mortally wounded at the Third Battle of Winchester, 19 Sep 1864. He died of his wound at his father's home 2 days later on 21 Sep 1864.

COL Funk is buried next to his brother, 1LT Jefferson William Obet Funk, in the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. 

COL William Thomas Poague

COL William Thomas Poague was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on 20 Dec 1835. He was the first-born child of the six children of John Barclay and Elizabeth Stuart (Paxton) Poague. His father was a successful farmer in north-western Rockbridge County of Virginia owning eight slaves in 1850 and increasing that to twenty-two by 1860. His total estate was valued at $39,220 in 1860 or about $1.5-million in today's money. As the son of a wealthy family, William was educated as was common at the time. He attended school in Brownsburg, Virginia for two years before attending at Washington College for four years graduating with a BA degree in 1857. He traveled after graduation, taught school near Atlanta, attended judge Brockenbrough's law school and then moved to Saint Joseph, Missouri to practice law. 

After it became clear that war was inevitable, he returned to Lexington to enlist in the Rockbridge Artillery even though he had not supported succession. Elected 2nd Lieutenant he served at First Manassas before Captain Pendleton was reassigned to serve as chief of artillery. He was then given command of the battery and promoted to Captain. He fought at several battles before being promoted to Major on 2 Mar 1863. MAJ Poague served as Executive Officer to COL David Gregg McIntosh's artillery battalion before being assigned to command his own battalion in 3rd Corps. He commanded the battalion from Gettysburg to Cold Harbor where he was twice wounded. After recovering he participated in the defense of Petersburg and was present for the surrender at Appomattox.

Returning home after the war, William married Sara Josephine Moore in 1878 and supported his family as a farmer, teacher and lawyer. He represented Rockbridge County in the Virginia House of Delegates and was a trustee for Washington and Lee University from 1865 to 1885. He worked as Treasurer for VMI for 30 years, 1884-1914 and was on their Board of Visitors. COL Poague died on 8 Sep 1914 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.

His 3 sons served in WW1 in France in the Field Artillery. He has several living descendants.

NOTE: This memorial was published on the 100th anniversary of his passing.

CPT Henry King Cochran

courtesy of Sassy Tazzy

CPT Henry King Cochran was born 1 Apr 1834 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 4th of 9 children of George Moffett and Maria Theresa (Boys) Cochran. George Moffett Cochran Sr was very well to do. His real estate holdings were valued at $50,000 in 1850 or about $1.7-million in today's money. In 1860 his real estate was valued at $60,000 and his personal estate at $40,000 which would be about $3.2-million today. Henry attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville as did 3 of his brothers and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Cochran was already a prominent person in Augusta County at the age of 26 working as a physician, merchant and farmer. As the election of 1860 approached, his father spoke publicly against succession and it seems from newspaper reports that Henry was of like mind in 1860 and active in at least one group politically supporting that view.

Henry joined the West Augusta Guard in 1860 and was made a Lieutenant in that unit commanded by William Smith Hanger Baylor. Elected as 1st Major when the various Augusta county units voted to form a regiment in March 1861 he was commissioned as a 2LT in L Company 5th Virginia when the unit was mustered on 17 Apr 1861. He resigned 20 May 1861 just before the unit was converted to an artillery battery but soon became an assistant surgeon at the Old Seabrook Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Henry apparently accepted an appointment as Quartermaster of the 14th Virginia Cavalry Regiment with rank effective 14 Feb 1863. He was transferred to the 13th Virginia Cavalry on 20 Dec 1863. Although some sources say that he was  transferred to the 11th Virginia Cavalry in 1864 and was Quartermaster for that regiment it appears that he may have been returned to the 14th prior to McCausland's raid into Pennsylvania in July 1864.

CPT Cochran was present for the burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania by GEN McCausland's troops on 30 Jul 1864 when he was killed. This is the account of his death by a local witness.

Captain Cochran, quartermaster of the 11th Virginia Cavalry, was caught by Thomas H. Doyle, of Loudon, and at the point of his pistol was given just fifteen minutes to live. Cochran begged piteously for his life but Doyle, on the very second, shot him dead; and there was found on his person $815 in greenbacks, all stolen from citizens, and $1,750 of Confederate currency.

CPT Cochran was initially buried in Franklin County, Pennsylvania but his body was recovered after the war and returned to Staunton and buried near his family in the Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia. 

5 of the 7 Cochran brothers served in Virginia units during the American Civil War. George Moffett Cochran Jr. served as Quartermaster of the 52nd Virginia Infantry and later of J. Pegram's Brigade. Alexander Boys Cochran was a 1LT in G Company 5th Virginia Infantry captured at Spotsylvania Court House and sent to Fort Delaware. John Lynn Cochran was a 2LT in A Company 52nd Virginia Infantry and died of disease 30 Jan 1862. James Addison Cochran served as a PVT in I Company 14th Virginia Cavalry and was wounded in action.

PVT Luther Argenbright

PVT Luther Argenbright enlisted in D Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 11 Jan 1864. His first combat experience was likely at Morton's Ford, Virginia on 6 Feb 1864. His next experience was in the fighting in The Wilderness on 5 and 6 May 1864. PVT Argenbright was certainly with his company in the battle at Spotsylvania Court House and he was reported killed in action there on 12 May 1864. 

It is probable that PVT Argenbright was buried on the battlefield. We do not believe that he was moved to the Spotsylvania Confederate Cemetery.

* * * * * * 

The above is all that we know for certain about PVT Luther Argenbright. Other researchers, including the author of the Virginia Regimental Series volume on the 5th Virginia, have apparently confused PVT Argenbright with Luther Asberry Argenbright, born 17 Sep 1830 died 17 Mar 1854, and buried in the Middlebrook Cemetery in Middlebrook, Virginia. We do not believe that is correct because there is both a contemporary stone marker with a different date of death and a contemporary government record of the date of death on the Luther Asberry Argenbright's headstone.

PVT George M. Carper

PVT George M. Carper was born in 1830 or 1832 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the 4th of 8 children of Jacob and Eliza (Keller) Carper. The family had been in Frederick County since at least 1790 and originated in Germany. George's father farmed for himself before he began working for others to support his family. George also became a farmer, working first for others and then for himself. 

Still unmarried when the Civil War began, George enlisted in K Company 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment on 7 Mar 1862. George would have fought with the unit at the First Battle of Kernstown, been at McDowell and Front Royal, fought at the First Battle of Winchester, Port Republic, Sevens Days, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain, Grovetown, 2nd Manassas, Chantilly, Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 2nd Winchester, Stephensons Depot, Gettysburg, Mine Run, and The Wilderness. PVT Carper was killed in action on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House. 

We believe that PVT Carper is buried at the Spotsylvania Confederate Cemetery but is among those who were not identified and are not named on the roster.

George had 3 brothers. William Harvey Carper served as a PVT in H Company 7th Virginia Cavalry Regiment and was wounded in the arm at Sappony Church, Virginia. Jacob Carper served as a PVT in K Company 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment and died of typhoid in 1862 at Saint Charles Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. 

1SG James M Doom

courtesy of JMB

1SG James M Doom was born 9 Mar 1841 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 4th 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 as a gardener 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. James was working as a marble cutter.

James enlisted as James F Doom, on 9 Jun 1861 in L Company 5th Virginia Infantry in Shepherdstown in what is now West Virginia. He then fought with the unit at First Manassas, through the Valley Campaign until wounded at Second Manassas on 28 Aug 1862. He recovered from his wound, possibly at home, and returned to his unit about the middle of October that year. SGT Doom served with L Company until killed in action as the unit fought northeast of the Germanna Plank Road at The Wilderness on 5 May 1864. 

1SG Doom's body was returned to Staunton and buried with family in Thornrose Cemetery.

Brother of CPL John F Doom of  L Company 5th Virginia Infantry killed in action at Port Republic on 9 Jun 1862.

PVT William Crist Anderson

PVT William Crist Anderson was born 25 Jan 1841 at Burnt Cabin Place in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of 9 children born to Alexander and Sarah Francis (Livick) Anderson although some records indicate that his father was Charles Anderson

William was not among the first to enlist, perhaps because of his age, and did not join D Company 5th Virginia Infantry until 21 Mar 1862 when he was drafted.  It is possible that he was present for the 1st Battle of Kernstown but was most certainly with the unit in the remainder of General Jackson's Valley Campaign, the Seven Days Battles, Cedar Mountain, Groveton, 2nd Manassas, Chantilly, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, 

PVT Anderson died at Alton Military Prison on 15 Dec 1863 and is buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Alton, Illinois.

Brothers served as well. Edward Manor Anderson served as a PVT in C Company 14th Virginia Cavalry as did Andrew Perry Anderson and John A. Anderson. John died of disease at home in April 1863.

CPT Lycurgus Grills

CPT Lycurgus Grills was born in 1839 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 3rd 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 Lycurgus and his siblings were living with their grandmother, Elizabeth Parks (McClanahan) Abney on her farm near Mint Springs, Virginia. Valued at $1800, Lycurgus' 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. Lycurgus went to Charlottesville, Virginia and enrolled at the University of Virginia attending 1859-1861. 

Lycurgus enlisted on 30 Aug 1861 at Centerville, Virginia serving as a PVT in E Company 5th Virginia Infantry with younger brother Charles. Commissioned as a 2LT in that same company where his younger brother ranked him. He was present at the 2nd Battle of Manassas when his brother was wounded and was also wounded there. Nevertheless he was promoted to Captain on 30 Aug 1862 and now commanded the company although he didn't return until 2 Oct 1862. CPT Grills became so ill on 20 Jul 1863 that he was sent to a hospital in Culpeper, Virginia. He was then sent nearer to home to a hospital in Staunton, Virginia. He died there on 15 Nov 1863. 

CPT Grills was buried in the Abney Family Cemetery in Mint Springs, Virginia. 

Lycurgus brother Charles Washington Grills served as a 1LT in E Company 5th Virginia Infantry until he was wounded and later died of his wound.

 

COL Reginald Heber Kelley

COL Reginald Heber Kelley was born in Fresno, California on 23 Jan 1880. He was the 4th of the 8 sons of Reverend Douglas Ottinger and Anna Amelia (Fletcher) Kelley. His parents had lost their 3rd son soon after birth, just 2 years previous. His father had been born on Kelley's Island, in Lake Erie about 8-10 miles due north of Sandusky, Ohio. Douglas had moved to California in 1867 first working as a lawyer then becoming an Episcopal priest and missionary in California. The Kelleys lived in San Francisco, Watsonville, Alameda and Fresno. The family's home when Reverend Kelley died in 1915 was at 2206 Durant Avenue in Berkley, California. Reginald attended public school in Fresno and is first noted as being on the honor roll in the spring of 1889. He also attended public school in Alameda and San Francisco graduating as valedictorian from Trinity School in San Francisco in 1898. He attended the State University at Berkley and received a scholarship in 1901. 

Enlisting as a PVT on 18 Jun 1898 Reginald served in I Company 7th California Infantry until 2 Dec that same year. He was commissioned as a 1LT in D Company 1st Infantry Regiment, California National Guard in March 1902 where he served while attending university. He was commissioned a LTC in the California National Guard in May of that year due to his outstanding performance in the university's corps of cadets and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a result of this he was offered a Regular Army commission as a 2LT of infantry which was accepted and he received the commission in 1903 when he graduated from the University of California. Assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment, 2LT Kelley departed with the regiment for the Philippines in June 1903. Once there he was posted to Sorsogon in southeastern Luzon. Allowed leave in mid-1905, 2LT Kelley then reported to Fort Thomas, Kentucky. It is probable that 2LT Kelley served with the 4th Regiment in the Ute campaign in1906. Reginald was promoted to 1LT and reassigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment in May 1909 but returned to the 4th after only 1 month and returned to the Philippines until 1910 when the regiment returned to the United States. 

Reginald married Ione Candace Dille on 28 Jun 1910. He was assigned to the 4th Infantry Regiment at Fort Crook, Nebraska at that time. A daughter, Esther Myrick Kelley, was born at Fort Crook on 11 Dec 1911. She would be the couple's only child.

Promotions came quickly during the first World War. Promoted to MAJ on 20 Aug 1917 and assigned as inspector (IG) 29th Division at Camp McClellan near Anniston, Alabama. He went to France with the 29th in 1918 and was detailed at the Division Machine Gun officer to plan and coordinate the machine gun defense in the 29th Division sector. MAJ Kelley was promoted  to LTC on 30 Jul 1918 and to COL on 1 Nov 1918 commanding the 116th Infantry Regiment in the Meuse-Argonne offensive after relieving COL Harris on 10 Oct 1918. He was gassed in training on 4 Dec 1918 and returned from France, 3 Aug 1919. COL Kelley was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his service during the war. The citation reads as follows:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Reginald H. Kelley, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. First as Division Machine-Gun Officer and later as Commanding Officer, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, Colonel Kelley displayed sterling qualities of leadership. By his high military attainments, sound judgment, and self-sacrificing devotion to duty he proved to be a material factor in the successes achieved by the 29th Division in the offensive actions in which they participated."

He served in the Quartermasters Corps from 13 Aug 1919 to 24 Aug 1919. He graduated from the School of the Line in 1922. COL Kelley then graduated from General Staff School 1923 and from 1923 to 1927 was an associate professor of military science and tactics and the University of California. He attended and graduated from the U.S. Army War College in 1928. COL Kelley was assigned 1929-1932 to Minneapolis, Minnesota as instructor of the National Guard in that state. In 1933 he was at Fort Benning as Director of Department of Experiment.

Ione passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Newnan, Georgia in 1935. COL Kelley then returned to the Philippines and commanded the 45th Infantry Regiment of the 23rd Infantry Brigade (Philippine Scouts) in 1937 at Fort McKinley, Philippines. It was in 1937 on this tour of duty that he met and married Ruth Steere Reno Fuller on 18 Sep 1937 in a ceremony attended by General and Mrs. Douglas MacArthur. He was next assigned as Chief of Staff of the 87th Infantry Division from 25 Aug 1940 to when he retired 9 Jun 1942 due to disability in line of duty. He was 62 years old at that time. However, it appears that he may have returned to active duty in some roll from 1 Jul 1942 to 20 Feb 1944 due to wartime exigencies. 

After retirement Reginald and Ruth lived a more normal life moving to Melrose, Florida. Reginald became the senior warden of the Trinity church in Melrose and Ruth worked in the Women's Auxiliary of the Diocese of Florida becoming president of that organization. There is little to no public record after his retirement possibly due to health concerns.

COL Kelley died on 18 Oct 1963 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Brother of CPT (Chaplain) Leslie Constant Kelley. They were the great, great, great-grandsons of Elihu Stow who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army during nearly the entire war. He enlisted as a private in Capt. Alden's company, Samuel Webb, Colonel, April 21, 1777, was mustered in Nov. 1777, taken prisoner, exchanged, July l, 1778, promoted to Corporal, March 20, 1780; Sergeant, July 1, 1781. Reginald's father had served as a 2LT in B Company 100th Ohio Infantry (USA) during the Civil War. Reginald's daughter together with her husband and 3 of their children were interned in the Philippines by the Japanese during WWII.

Note: This memorial was published 50-years after his death.

MG Charles Draper William Canham

MG Charles Draper William Canham was born 26 Jan 1901 in Kola, Mississippi. He was the 4th of the 5 children born to Thomas and Helen (Moll) Canham. His father was a lumber dealer in Mississippi, After the death of his mother in childbirth in 1903, Charles' aunt Gertrude Canham moved to live with the family and help her brother raise his children. They lived for a time in Oregon where his father farmed but he then moved to Detroit, Michigan where he got a job in an auto factory. Thomas Draper died in 1936.

Charles Canham enlisted in the U.S. Army on 23 May 1919. He shipped to France on 13 Jun 1919 as a Field Artillery PVT with the 33rd Company Camp Meade Replacement Unit. Returning to the United States, he married Alma Isabelle Brayton on 18 Aug 1920. By 30 Jun 1921 he was a SGT in the 19th Field Artillery Battalion. SGT Canham tested for and was accepted to the United States Military Academy (West Point) preparatory school and was appointed to USMA effective 1 Jul 1921, graduated in 1926 and commissioned as 2LT 12 Jun 1926. Charles' and Alma's first son was born in January 1922 His first assignment was to Fort Benjamin Harrison.  It was there that his second was born March 1925 followed by a third son in July 1927. In May 1928 he was sent to Camp Knox, Kentucky as the camp personnel adjutant. He attended the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia in September 1930 graduating in June 1931. 2LT Canham  then departed New York on 19 Aug 1931 and arrived in Manial on 3 Oct 1931. He served a period of time in the Philippines and then in Shanghai, China. During this period he was pomoted  to 1LT on 26 Feb 1932 and promoted to CPT 12 Jun 1936.

CPT Canham was assigned to Fort Francis E. Warren, Cheyenne, Wyoming 1937 followed by assignments at Fort Leavenworth, Fort Devens and Providence, Rhode Island. He was promoted to MAJ on 31 Jan 1941 and assigned to European Theater of Operations (ETO) where he was made Deputy Chief of Staff of the 29th Infantry Division. He was promoted to LTC on 1 Feb 1942. LTC Canham was promoted to COL 7 Mar 1943 and assumed command of 116th Infantry Regiment.  COL Canham led the 116th Infantry Regiment on 6 Jun 1944 (D-Day) and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his actions in leading troops while wounded. The citation reads as follows:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Charles Draper William Canham, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. Colonel Canham landed on the beach shortly after the assault wave of troops had landed. At the time, the enemy fire was at its heaviest and had completely arrested the attack. Though wounded shortly after landing, Colonel Canham, with utter disregard for his own safety, continued to expose himself to the enemy fire in his efforts to reorganize the men. His personal bravery and determination so inspired and heartened the men that they were able to break through the enemy positions. Colonel Canham's outstanding leadership, gallantry and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 29th Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

Promoted BG 1 Aug 1944 and assigned as Assistant Division Commander of 8th Infantry Division. 8th Infantry Division Commander. It was while he was the ADC of 8th Division that BG Canham was sent to accept the surrender of the German forces in Brest. When General Ramcke asked him for his credentials BG Canham pointed to his accompanying soldiers and said, "These are my credentials." Widely reported at the time, the phrase has become the motto of the 8th Infantry Division.

He continued to serve with the 8th Infantry Division after the war's end and then in December 1945 assumed duties as ADC 4th Infantry Division. Sometime about May 1947, he was assigned as ADC of the 82nd Airborne Division. Late in 1949 BG Canham assumed command of the port of embarkation Bremmerhaven. On 5 Jun 1952 BG Canham was promoted to MG and assumed command of 82nd Airborne Division. Reported as being in Pusan, Republic of Korea on 26 Jan 1953 end of tour in Pusan, ROK. In October 1952 he was named Deputy Commander 3rd Army and in 1953 named for promotion to MG and assumed command of the 3rd Army with headquarters at Fort McPherson, Georgia. 

Then from December 1954 to sometime in 1958 he served as Director of the Army Council of Review Boards after which he assumed command of the 11th U.S. Army Corps (Reserve) in Saint Louis, Missouri. MG Canham retired on 31 Jan 1961. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with 2 Bronze  Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Purple Heart. 

MG Canham died of an unspecified lung ailment on 21 Aug 1963 and he was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was survived by his wife, sons and their families. 

Note: the published date of this memorial is the 50th anniversary of his passing.

CPL John Armentrout

CPL John Armentrout was born 26 Aug 1832 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the first born of 9 children of Thomas Hamilton and Barbara (Burkholder) Armentrout. The family farmed near Staunton, Virginia.  Thomas valued his farm at $1,100 in 1850 and in 1860 he valued his farm at $10,300 and reported his personal estate as being worth $2,800. These were very prosperous farmers and John was still farming with his father at that time.

John enlisted as the Commonwealth prepared for war, signing up for the Augusta Greys on 18 Apr 1861 in Greenville, Virginia. The unit was actually mustered into service as E Company 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment on 19 May 1861. John would then have been with the unit when it fought at First Manassas, First  Kernstown, First Winchester, Port Republic, Seven Days Battles, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain, Groveton and 2nd Manassas where he was wounded on 30 Aug 1862. CPL Armentrout apparently returned to the unit on or before 30 Jun 1863 just in time for the Battle of Gettysburg where he was wounded in the head on 3 Jul 1863 and captured. Sent to the Federal hospital facility on David's Island in New York, and he died of his wound there on 5 Aug 1863. 

CPL Armentrout's body was eventually returned home and he is now interred in the Pilson Cemetery in Stuart's Draft, Virginia. 

Brother Jacob Christian Armentrout served as a SGT in E Company 5th Virginia, was captured at Winchester in 1862 and spent the rest of the war in the POW camp at Camp Chase, Ohio. John had a 1st cousin 4-times removed  who served as a MSG in Afghanistan in 2004 with the 3rd battalion 116th Infantry.. 

BG Richard Brooke Garnett

BG Richard Brooke Garnett was born at Rose Hill, the family home, in Essex County, Virginia on 21 Nov 1817. He and twin, William Henry Garnett, were the fourth and fifth of the nine children born to William Henry and Anna Maria (Brooke) Garnett. Richard received his early education near home and in Norfolk. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1841. He served in the Seminole war with the Sixth Infantry Regiment as a second lieutenant, during the Mexican War and he held a staff position in New Orleans. Promoted to first lieutenant in 1847, Garnett later commanded Fort Laramie (about ninety miles north-northeast of modern Cheyenne, Wyoming) against the sometimes troublesome Sioux, traveled as a recruiting officer, and, after his promotion to captain in 1855, He aided in quelling the Kansas disturbances in 1856-57; was engaged in the Utah expedition. It was while at Fort Laramie that he had a relationship with a Lakota woman, Akitapiwin (Looks At Him Woman also known as Molly Campbell), and had a son born in 1855.

With the coming of the Civil War, CPT Garnett resigned his US commission on 17 May 1861. He was commissioned Major CSA, and in November 1861 Brigadier General in the Provisional Army. Subsequently, he was appointed second-in-command of then Colonel Thomas R.R. Cobb's Georgia Legion, and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in early September. After brief service with the legion on the Peninsula, Garnett received his promotion to Brigadier General and was immediately assigned to the Shenandoah Valley, coming under command of General Thomas J. Jackson. By spring 1862, BG Garnett commanded Jackson’s old troops, now known as the Stonewall Brigade.  He commanded the Stonewall Brigade in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and at Kernstown, 23 Mar 1862. During the Maryland campaign he commanded Pickett's brigade. General Garnett commanded a brigade in Pickett's Division consisting of the Eighth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-eighth and Fifty-sixth Virginia regiments, which he finally led in "Pickett's Charge" on the third day of the battle of Gettysburg. The brigade went into action with 1,287 men and 140 officers, and after the fight only about 300 effectives remained. General Garnett's part in this fatal action is thus reported by his successor in command, Maj. Charles S. Peyton: 

"Of our cool, gallant, noble brigade commander it may not be out of place to speak. Never had the brigade been better handled, and never has it done better service in the field of battle. There was scarcely an officer or man in the command whose attention was not attracted by the cool and handsome bearing of General Garnett, who, totally devoid of excitement or rashness, rode immediately in rear of his advancing line, endeavoring, by his personal efforts and by the aid of his staff, to keep his line well closed and dressed. He was shot from his horse while near the center of the brigade, within about 25 paces of the stone wall." Source: Confederate Military History, vol. IV, p. 597  

BG Garnett's burial location is unknown. It is believed that his body was stripped of valuables and buried in a mass grave of CSA soldiers at Gettysburg. It may have been later recovered and reinterred in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. His sword was discovered in a Baltimore pawn shop some years later and returned to the family. 

His cousin, BG Robert Seldon Garnett, was killed commanding CSA forces at the battle of Corrick's Ford on 13 Jul 1861. Son, William P. Garnett, served the U.S. Army as an interpreter and "scout" working primarily from the Pine Ridge Reservation. BG Garnett is survived by numerous living descendants of his son. 

One last note. There is some controversy about the various photographs said to be of BG Garnett with some scholars convinced that all those identified as Richard are of his cousin Robert.

BG Elisha Franklin Paxton

BG Elisha Franklin Paxton was born on 4 Mar 1828 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was the sixth of seven children of Elisha Hays and Margaret (McNutt) Paxton. He was descended from the Paxton family which had immigrated to America from northern Ireland in 1730 and settled in Pennsylvania. His father farmed and owned a mill a few miles southeast of Lexington, Virginia. The younger Elisha attended local schools before graduating Washington College in 1846. He then attended Yale University and graduating from there in 1847. He next attended the University of Virginia where he graduated with a law degree in 1848. He had attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington but didn't graduate. Elisha married Elizabeth Hannah White in 1854 and the couple had their first child, a daughter, who died in infancy in June of 1856. They would go on to have three more children, all sons. Elisha became president of a bank in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Paxton enlisted in April 1861 as a First Lieutenant (1LT) in H Company 27th Virginia Infantry. 1LT Paxton fought at First Manassas and was commended for gallantry in bearing the colors of a Georgia unit after their color bearer was shot down. He was detailed an Aide-de-Camp on Lieutenant General (LTG) Stonewall Jackson's staff in August 1861. He was then promoted to Major on 14 Oct 1861. In August 1862, he was appointed Major and Quartermaster on Jackson's staff and served as Assistant Adjutant General. On 1 Nov 1862 he was promoted to Brigadier General (BG). Paxton died on 3 May 1863 from a wound received while leading a charge of the Stonewall Brigade at Chancellorsville. Paxton's body was brought back to Lexington and buried at the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia. He has a number of living descendants. 

Elisha's grandfather, William Paxton served as a Major of militia during the Revolution.

PVT Flemming B. Carroll

courtesy of BigFrench

PVT Flemming B. Carroll was born in 1844 in Augusta County, Virginia probably near the community of West View. He was the 6th of the 9 children of Flemming Solomon and Margaret (Welch or Welsh) Carroll. His father was a fairly prosperous farmer who owned over 500 acres of land in Augusta County. The younger Flemming and his brothers undoubtedly grew up helping their parents with the farming. Margaret died in 1849 or early 1850. The elder Flemming married Sarah Ann Miller in Feb 1851. Sarah was about 24-years younger than her husband and the couple would have several children.Young Flemming grew up to also work as a farm hand. 

Then, when he was just 17-years old, the Civil War began with the shelling of Fort Sumter in South Carolina and Virginia voted for succession about 1-month later. Flemming enlisted in F Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 15 Mar 1862. PVT Carroll was wounded at the 2nd battle of Manassas onn 30 Aug 1862 but recovered by February 1863 and was again with his unit until he was killed in action at Chancellorsville on 3 May 1863.

Originally buried near the Van Wort house at Chancellorsville, PVT Carroll's remains were recovered and re-interred in the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery through the efforts of the Ladies Memorial Association of Fredericksburg.

Some of Flemming's brothers also served. Samuel Woodward Carrol served as a PVT in F Company 5th Virginia Infantry and was captured in 1863 serving out the war as a POW at Camp Chase and Rock Island. George Franklin Carrol served as a CPL in D Company 5th Virginia Infantry, was captured 11 Jun 1864 near Fairfield, Pennsylvania and spent the rest of the war as a POW at City Point.

PVT John T. A. Beard

PVT John T. A. Beard was born about 1844 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of 11 children born to John Link and Martha Margaret (Shields) Beard. His father was a chair maker whose personal estate was valued at $200. The younger John traveled to Mount Jackson and enlisted in I Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 23 Mary 1862. He was with the company all through the Valley Campaign and then the 2nd Battle of Manassas. It wasn't long after the Battle of Fredericksburg when he became ill and was sent to Howard's Grove Hospital in Richmond, Virginia where he died of disease on 24 Jan 1863. PVT Beard was buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

Father, John Link Beard, served as a PVT in I Company 14th Virginia Cavalry. Brother, William Sumpter Beard, served as a PVT in D Company 5th Virginia and was wounded at First Kernstown.

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.