USA > Virginia > Albemarle County > Albemarle County > Memorial history of the John Bowie Strange Camp, United Confederate Veterans, including some account of others who served in the Confederate Armies from Albemarle County > Part 9
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He died April 27th, 1898, and was buried at Farmington on the land that had belonged to his forbears for many generations. "Peace to his Ashes."
JOHN D. DURRETT.
John D. Durrett resided near Owensville, Virginia, and en- tered the Confederate army at the beginning of the war as a member of Company A, Nineteenth Virginia Infantry. He was a fine soldier. At the battle of Williamsburg he saved the life of his comrade, Walker Wingfield, by killing a Federal soldier who was in the act of killing him. His occupation was that of a farmer.
WILLIAM DURRETT.
BY AUBURN MANN.
William Durrett was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, at the old Durrett homestead, North Garden, February 1st, 1843. He was the son of Captain Marcus and Anne Moore Durrett, and the grandson of Marshall Durrett, who was the nephew of Chief Justice Marshall of the United States Supreme Court. He was educated at Gibson's Academy, conducted by "Parson" Gibson. Practically all of his life was spent at North Garden, where he was engaged in farming.
"Bill," as he was affectionately called by his associates, vol- unteered for service at the outbreak of the war. He was then about eighteen years of age, and with his three brothers, Mar- cus, Henry and James, entered the service of his country. He was with the Tenth Virginia Cavalry, Company F, and his many acts of daring and bravery were done with a fearlessness which never faltered. Price Maury, son of the late Jesse Maury, who at the time of the war was quite a young boy, was taken pris- soner by a number of Yankees, and was rescued single-handed by Mr. Durrett. His three brothers came out of the service without having been wounded, but not so with him. He was
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seven times wounded, most severely at Gettysburg, where he was shot through the breast. But for the prompt attention given him by his cousin, Dr. Martin, he would doubtless have succumbed to his wounds.
He was married to Miss Delicia Kate Betts, daughter of Captain and Mrs. Watts Betts, formerly of Deal, Kent County, England. In November, 1907, Mr. Durrett departed this life, leaving surviving him six children. He was buried at the old homestead.
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S. W. EDWARDS.
S. W. Edwards enlisted in the Confederate army May 10th, 1861, and served until the close as a member of Company E, . Nineteenth Virginia Infantry. He resided near. Burnleys,, Al- bemarle County, Virginia. His occupation was that of a farmer.
F. M. ESTES.
F. M. Estes enlisted in the Confederate army in 1862 and served until the close in Company D, Thirty-fourth Virginia Infantry. He was wounded July 30th, 1864. He was born in Greene County, Virginia, but moved to Charlottesville where he practiced law.
MILTON FERNEYHOUGH.
BY W. R. DUKE.
Milton Ferneyhough was born in Orange County, September 22nd, 1830.
Before the war he managed for several gentlemen, one of whom was Captain Thomas L. Farish at "The Farm," then one of the finest farms in the country.
In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Carrington's Battery, and served until its capture at the Bloody Angle, where he escaped.
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He was then assigned to Garber's Battery and served with it until the surrender.
After the war he contracted -for several years and then en- gaged in farming.
He was a worthy citizen. He died in August, 1904, and was buried at Free Union, Albemarle County.
ROBERT HERNDON FIFE.
BY R. T. W. DUKE, JR.
Robert Herndon Fife was born at "Rockhill," Park Street, Charlottesville, August 27th, 1843. His father, Rev. James , Fife, came from Edinburg, Scotland, in 1811, and lived in Gloucester, later in Goochland, where a village is named after him. With his wife, Margaret Herndon of Spottsylvania, he moved to Charlottesville in 1839, where he purchased "Oak- lawn," the present family residence, in 1847.
Herndon Fife attended Strange's Military Academy, Bloom- field Academy, and Alleghany College in Greenbrier. He en- tered the University of Virginia in 1861, but withdrew in 1862 to enlist in the Charlottesville Artillery, with which he served in the Seven Days Fight around Richmond, and in all the ma- jor actions of the army of Northern Virginia until May 12th, 1864, when his battery was destroyed in the "Bloody Angle" at Spottsylvania Court House, he himself escaping by a hair's breadth. He then joined the Staunton Artillery, sharing in the famous Valley Campaign of 1864. He was captured in Lee's gallant stand at Petersburg, but escaping the same night, he rejoined his command on the retreat to Appomattox and was paroled as Battery Sergeant at the Surrender.
After the war he engaged in farming at "Oaklawn;" in 1882 he was Bursar at the University ; in 1883-85 he was postmaster there. In 1898 he entered the service of the Charlottesville & Albemarle Railway Company, remaining with it until his death. As superintendent of car service he won the travelling public and established warm personal relations with the employees. He possessed enduring youth in vigorous health and constant
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cheerfulness, which, with loyalty of character, brought into his circle of friends, not only men of ante-bellum days, but many of the younger generation.
His death occurred after a brief illness, August 16th, 1919. He was borne to his grave under the cedars of "Oaklawn" by his friends among the railway employees, followed by the sur- vivors of John Bowie Strange Camp. He held the war medals awarded by the University of Virginia and the Daughters of thè Confederacy.
He was for sixty-one years a member, and for many years a deacon in the Baptist Church, and for thirty-three years Super- intendent of the Sunday School.
He married, in 1867, Sarah Ann Strickler of Madison County, who survives him, with seven children: Daisy F. Rinehart, Dr. Robert Herndon Fife, Jr., Colonel James Douglas Fife, Mar- garet Tucker, William Ormond Fife, Ella Katherine Fife and Shelton Strickler Fife.
P. W. FITCH.
P. W. Fitch came to Charlottesville from Fluvanna County in 1888, and engaged in business. He was a son of P. W. and Margaret Fitch. He enlisted in the army in 1861, and was se- verely wounded in the battle of Mine Run. He was a member of Company E, Fifth Virginia Infantry, and served three years, when he was disabled. He was active in all matters pertaining to the civil and religious matters of the city.
FRANCIS CONWAY FITZHUGH.
BY MRS. JAMES STUART FITZHUGH.
Died on May 12th, 1910, at his home in Charlottesville, Vir- ginia, Francis Conway Fitzhugh, at the age of 72 years. He was born at Barboursville, Orange County, Virginia. His fa- ther having died, leaving a large family, it became necessary for Francis Conway to go to work early in life. This deprived him of the opportunity to attend college, but being fond of
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reading and study, he acquired a good education by his own ef- fort.
At the commencement of the War between the States he was employed at Jones' Bookstore at the University of Virginia. He promptly enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Virginia Regiment of Infantry. His health was so bad at this time the surgeon re- . jected him.
His diary, which is well preserved, says:
"March 15th, 1862, mustered into the Confederate service in the Virginia Battery, Captain J. M. Carrington-one hundred and fifty men and six guns.
"May 17th, 1862, left the University to join General Jackson in the Valley of Virginia."
His battery was engaged with Jackson in the Valley at Front Royal, Winchester, Harper's Ferry, Port Republic, etc. He was also at Malvern Hill and Cold Harbor. His diary tells of the battle of Chancellorsville, where Jackson was wounded. Here Carrington's battery was placed in an open field in front of the Chancellor House, around which General Hooker had massed a large force of artillery. At one time the firing was so severe that the few men left to serve the guns had to seek shelter. A member of his battery says that as soon as the enemy's fire would slacken, Fitzhugh would run to his gun, load and fire until the fire of the enemy would again become too hot. This he repeated until he was wounded and carried from the field. This wound prevented his accompanying his battery into Pennsylvania, but he rejoined it again in the Valley.
At the Bloody Angle at Spottsylvania Carrington's Battery was captured. In the darkness and confusion Fitzhugh and a few of his company succeeded in getting away, and when Gen- eral Gordon advanced to recapture the works, Fitzhugh picked up a musket and joined the infantry in the counter attack. The guns of the battery were retaken, and he then put down the musket, ran to his guns and assisted in firing them until the am- munition was exhausted. On the retreat he stayed with his guns until the last, and was placed in position to support Gen- eral Gordon in the last charge of Lee's Army at Appomattox.
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There he saw his guns turned over to the enemy, and it is said he wept like a child. He fought a good fight, both as a soldier of his beloved Southland and as a soldier of the Cross.
JOHN O. FRETWELL.
John O. Fretwell resided near Charlottesville and was en- gaged in farming when the war began. He enlisted in Carring- ton's Battery as a private and served to the end of the war.
W. J. FRETWELL.
W. J. Fretwell was from Albemarle County, and entered the Confederate army as a member of Carrington's Battery of Ar- tillery. After the war he was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Charlottesville, Virginia.
JESSE LEWIS FRY.
BY MISS FRANK FRY.
Jesse Lewis Fry was a direct descendant (being the fifth in line) of Colonel Joshua Fry of Viewmont, Albemarle County, Virginia, who was appointed Colonel of the First Continental Regiment, with Washington as his Lieutenant, and won distinc- tion in the French and Indian War.
He (Jesse L. Fry) was the son of J. Frank Fry and Mary I. Barksdale, and was born June 20th, 1829. He died December 19th, 1901.
Jesse L. Fry served through the war as a private in the Albe- marle Light Horse Cavalry, Thirteenth Regiment Virginia Vol- unteers, C. S. A., with Captain Eugene Davis in command. He was a devoted and loyal Southerner, ready at all times to do his duty and make any sacrifice for the Confederacy that might be necessary.
At the close of the war he assisted his father, J. Frank Fry, then Commissioner of Revenue, in his office until the latter's death, at which time he was elected to succeed his father, hold-
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ing the office until his death in 1901. He was widely known and highly respected throughout the State, no county officer ever being more beloved or more highly honored than he.
He married Miss Frances Dunkum and is survived by five children : Jesse L. Fry, Harry L. Fry, Miss Frank Fry, Mrs. D. W. Fowler of Charlottesville, and Mrs. W. M. Moore of Kentucky.
P. W. GARLAND.
P. W. Garland was the son of of Goodrich and Mary E. Gar- land, and lived near Ivy Depot, Virginia. He was engaged in farming, and entered the army the last year of the war. He was a member of the 10th Virginia Cavalry:
JOHN O. GARRISON.
John O. Garrison enlisted May the 10th, 1861, in Company K. Nineteenth Virginia Infantry, and was discharged in Decem- ber 1861, but reënlisted in Carrington's Battery of Artillery, serving with that company until the close of the war. He re- -sided near Charlottesville, and engaged in farming.
HORACE N. GIANNINY.
Horace N. Gianniny entered the army as a member of Captian John B. Magruder's Company, Fifty Seventh Virginia Infan- try, Armistead's Brigade, and served throughout the war-a faithful adherent of the Confederate cause. He resided near Pantop's Acadamy, and was a worthy citizen of his community.
GEORGE W. GILMER.
BY GEORGE GILMER.
George W. Gilmer was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, July 10th 1845. He was a son of George Christopher Gilmer and nephew of Governor Thomas Walker Gilmer of Virginia.
He enlisted in Company C of Second Virginia Cavalry of the
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Confederate Army at Snicker's Gap, June 16th, 1863. His first engagement was a skirmish at Rockville, Maryland, where the Confederates captured one hundred fine new wagons and teams which were being sent to General Meade's army. A lit- tle later in the march to Gettysburg his horse was shot from under him at Westminister, Maryland.
At Gettysburg on the evening of the third day, he was se- verely wounded in the shoulder. He did not leave the field at once. About twenty minutes later another bullet struck him in the head and put out one of his eyes. This bullet was removed in February, 1897.
When the Confederates retired, he was taken prisoner and carried to David's Island, New York. Here he received every attention from Southern ladies living in New York and from the hospital surgeons. After being in prison three months he was exchanged and sent home with the sight of one eye gone and his right shoulder disabled. Dr. Simmons, of the Northern Army, accompanied him to Norfolk, Virginia, when he was ex- changed, and personally put him on the train for Richmond.
At the time George W. Gilmer was exchanged, it was consid- ered that he was permanently disabled, but he volunteered again in April, 1864, as a courier for General Wickham. He was in the battles of Spottsylvania Courthouse, Yellow Tavern, and many others. On account of the bullet lodged against his brain, the heat affected his head so that he again had to leave the army. Early in 1865 he again volunteered; this time under Colonel J. S. Mosby, and was with him when the war ended.
After the war George W. Gilmer was a prominent and suc- cessful farmer in his native county, displaying the same indomi- table will, energy and courage which marked his career as a soldier. In 1868 he married Miss Frances Brown. In 1871 he bought a large farm on the James River near Warren, where he spent the remainder of his life. On August 13, 1918, he died after a life of usefulness to his fellow countrymen as a soldier, farmer, road commissioner, member of school board and elder in the church. He is survived by his wife Frances H. Gilmer, and six children: Lena Gilmer, Margret Cabell Gilmer, Ed- monia Preston Gilmer, Ludwell Harrison Gilmer, George Wal- ker Gilmer and John Harmer Gilmer.
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WILLIS H. GOOCH.
Willis H. Gooch resided near Keswick, Virginia, and entered the Confederate army as a private in Company K, Second Vir- ginia Cavalry, known as the Albemarle Light Horse. He was distinguished for gallantry and soldierly qualities. He was wounded three times in the 1864 compaigns. After the war he resided at his home in Albemarle, an honored and esteemed cit- izen.
JOSEPH GRIFFIN.
Joseph Griffin resided in Maryland at the beginning of the Confederate war, and entered the service as a member of the Maryland Line. He was afterwards transferred to Colonel Mosby's command, where he did fine service for two years, un- til the close of hostilities.
C. H. GWATKINS.
C. H. Gwatkins resided in Charlottesville, Virginia. He en- listed as a private in Company G, Eleventh Virginia Infantry, and served four years in the Confederate army. After the war 'he held the office of tax collector. He was highly esteemed as a man and citizen.
R. W. HALL.
R. W. Hall enlisted in June, 1862, as a private in Company D, Fifth Virginia Cavalry, and served three years in the Con- federate army. He resided in Charlottesville, where he was engaged in the livery business. He was highly esteemed as a man and a worthy citizen.
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LOUIS TRAPMAN HANCKEL.
BY LOUIS T. HANCKEL, JR.
Louis Trapman Hanckel was born in Charleston, South Car- olina, on June 3rd, 1847. He was the second son of James Stuart Hanckel, D. D., and Fannie Trapman Hanckel, his wife.
During the war his father and mother moved to Spartan- burg, South Carolina. In June 1863, he enlisted in Company B, Ballinger's Battalion, Blanchard's Division, on the South Carolina coast; was wounded at Comlahee Ferry, in January 1865, and was captured and held a prisoner until after the war. His oldest brother, James Stuart Hanckel, was also in the serv- ice and was killed at Sharpsburg, Maryland, a member of the Second South Carolina Infantry.
In 1869, his father, the Rev. James Stuart Hanckel, D. D., came to the Rectorship of Christ Episcopal Church of Char- lottesville, Virginia, and Louis Trapman Hanckel entered the University of Virginia the same year. There he studied law under Professors Minor and Southall. In 1870 he was admitted to the Bar of Albemarle County and Charlottesville, and began the practice of law with Colonel R. T. W. Duke and James D. Jones, under the firm name of Duke, Jones & Hanckel. contin- uing therein until 1875. In 1882 he and Judge George Watts Morris became associated as Hanckel & Morris, a copartnership which continued until Judge Morris went upon the bench as Judge of the Corporation Court of Charlottesville. After that he associated with him his son, Louis T. Hanckel, Jr., in the practice of law, which partnership continued until his death, which occurred on July 21st, 1914. In addition to the practice of law, he, in partnership with his eldest son, James Stuart Hanckel, conducted a fire insurance business, perhaps the larg- est in this section. He was buried in Maplewood Cemetery.
GEORGE W. HARLOW.
George W. Harlow resided near Keswick, Virginia, where he engaged in farming. He enlisted July 1st, 1861, in South- all's Battery of Artillery, and served during the war.
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ALBERT L. HOLLADAY.
BY WM. W. MINOR.
Albert L. Holladay was the third son of Reverend Albert L. Holladay and Anne Minor, his wife. He was born February 17th, 1844, in Persia, where his father was a missionary of the Southern , Presbyterian Church for ten years. He was edu- cated in private schools in Albemarle County, and at the Uni- versity of Virginia, and was an excellent student and good scholar. At the age of eighteen he volunteered as a private in the Albemarle Artillery, commanded by Captain James McDow- ell Carrington, and served gallantly and faithfully in this com- pany, participating in most of the great battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, until he was taken prisoner, along with most of his company, at the "Bloody Angle" in the battle of Spottsyl- vania Courthouse, May 12th, 1864. He was taken to Fort Dickerson and held a prisoner there until the summer of 1865, when he was released and returned to his home near Charlottes- ville. He entered the University of Virginia in October, 1865, as an academic student.
Having very small means, he was unable to pursue his Uni- versity course consecutively, and taught school at Oxford, Miss- issippi and other places in order to pay his way through college and help his widowed mother and younger brother and sister. At a very early age he joined the Presbyterian Church of Char- lottesville, and was soon chosen an elder and proved a most ac- tive and useful officer.
About 1872 he removed to the home of his uncle, Dabney Minor, near Eastham, Virginia, and aided him most effectively in the management of the farm. In 1875 he was happily mar- ried to Miss Nanny W. Eastham, a most faithful and helpful wife. He continued to live on this farm with her and their only son, William D. Holladay, till his death, February 1st, 1918, making a specialty of grape culture, in which he achieved great success.
Mr. Holladay was a man of great intelligence, sterling char- acter, and untiring industry, a most devoted, consistent Chris- tian, and useful elder, first in Charlottesville and afterwards in
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Bethel Church. In the latter he served most acceptably for nearly thirty years till his death. A gallant Confederate sol- dier, a loving husband and father, a most faithful friend and kind neighbor, and singularly unselfish, his influence for good included his entire community, in which he was universally be- loved and respected. His loss is still most deeply felt.
JAMES M. HOLLADAY.
James M. Holladay, second son of Rev. and Mrs. Albert L. Holladay, was born in Persia, where his parents were mission- aries of the Southern Presbyterian Church, in 1842. He en- tered the Confederate army as a private in the spring of 1861, and died of disease in camp the following summer or fall. He was a faithful soldier and humble Christian.
JOHN STEPHENS HOPKINS.
The subject of this sketch, the son of Rev. John Stephen, and . Sarah Wingfield Hopkins, was born in Albemarle County, Vir- ginia, November 5th, 1843.
After his mother's death, when he was only nine years old, he went to live with his uncle, the late Richard W. Wingfield.
Reared in a Christian home, he had a solid foundation laid upon which he stood all his life.
At the outbreak of hostilities between the states he enlisted in the "Albemarle Light Horse," Company K, Second Virginia Regiment, and was with his company in practically every en- gagement up to .the battle of Gettysburg, where he was captured and sent a prisoner to Point Lookout, Maryland. He was a prisoner there eighteen months.
After being exchanged he went home in a very run-down condition, but returned to his colors, after gaining a little strength, and remained until the close of the war. Men and horses were shot down all around him but he escaped without a scratch.
On April 15th, 1869, he married Miss Sarah Francis Parrott,
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daughter of William T., and Francis Thompson Parrott, of Free Union, Virginia.
His children are: Chas. B., John Wm., Edward P. and Mrs. S. F. Nuttycombe. Two brothers, Joseph Jackson and Wil- liam, preceded him to the grave. Two living sisters, Mrs. J. D. Bowles of Crozet, and Mrs. Lew Bryant of Fabers, Virginia, also survive him.
One of his chief thoughts was the care of the old Confederate veterans and their widows.
He was very active in getting the special levy in Albemarle for the benefit of the Confederate soldiers and widows. In 1897 he was elected Superintendent of the Albemarle County Home, a position he filled until his death, looking after the fee- ble inmates with the tenderest care. Every old Confederate in- mate was his brother and comrade.
He died January 14th, 1916, leaving to his loved ones that best of all legacies, the heritage of a noble character.
He was laid to rest in Riverview Cemetery with the last rites of the Masonic order, of which he was a member. A Confed- erate cross honors his grave.
EDWARD THOMAS JESSUP.
BY MARGARET B. JESSUP.
Pell Jessup, a young man interested in agriculture, came to the Valley of Virginia from Long Island and settled in Rock- bridge County near Lexington.
There were six children. Edward, the eldest, was born May 24th, 1844. Early education was by hired teachers in the home community, and later in Lexington under the Rev. F. M. Ed- wards, from whose school he withdrew at seventeen years of age, to enlist as one of the thirty who left on July 19th, 1861, by wagon for Staunton, the nearest railroad station, from whence they expected to go to Harper's Ferry for training. But the demand for men was so great that these boys were hur- rie to Manassas to join the Rockbridge Rifles who had left Lex- ington under Major T. J. Jackson on April 18th, 1861. They
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1
were designated as Company H, Twenty-seventh Virginia In- fantry, First Virginia Brigade. Arriving on the eve of battle, they were in time to witness some of the horrors of war while awaiting equipment. Torn and mangled bodies were scattered over the bloody field, and piles of newly-amputated arms and legs were thrown from the windows of the hospitals. They heard the boom of cannon, the din of battle, and saw on the face of stalwart men care, anxiety, hope and fear for their beloved South. But not one of these boys felt a desire to back out and return home. There was only an anxiety to become equipped, to make one more to help oppose the enemy.
As a member of the above mentioned company, Edward Thomas Jessup participated in the battles of Kernstown, first Winchester, second Winchester, Port Republic, Malvern Hill and Cold Harbor. At Cedar Mountain he was knocked out by a piece of shell, but was at Second Manassas, then at Freder- icksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and others.
Made lame by a piece of bursting shell, he was captured and taken prisoner, and at the close of the war he was still confined at Fort Delaware.
In 1874, he married Louisa Anna Mallory of Orange County, and lived in Staunton until 1897, when he removed with his family to Charlottesville, where he became associated with the John Bowie Strange Camp of United Confederate Veterans.
Edward Thomas Jessup died on the 7th day of August, 1917, beloved by his wife and children and highly respected in the community in which he lived.
GEORGE THOMAS JOHNSON.
George Thomas Johnson was a member of the . Monticello Guard and was with that company when ordered out in 1861. He served all through the war until he was taken prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg. He was carried first to Fort Dela- ware and then to Point Lookout. He was in prison twenty- one months, bare-footed on an earth floor.
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