Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1011

Rh crossed the open fields beyond, driving the enemy before him like sheep." Subsequently, in the report, Captain Hudgin's company is mentioned as having remained on the field and fought handsomely throughout the day, after the remainder of the Thirtieth had been disorganized under the severe fire of the enemy. Subsequently, in 1862, near Fredericksburg, Va., his regiment was assigned to Corse's brigade of Pickett's division, in which it served during the remainder of the war. From his participation in the campaign against New Bern, N. C., in 1864, he was called to the defense of Richmond. The Thirtieth, with the Seventeenth Virginia, had a successful encounter with a Federal raiding party at Mattoax Station, thereby saving an iron bridge of vital importance to the Confederate capital, and he then with his command joined Beauregard at Drewry's bluff, where the enemy was repulsed and driven back to Bermuda Hundred. During the siege he participated in the defense of Richmond and in many engagements about the city, fought conspicuously at Five Forks, and finally at Sailor's Creek, where he was distinguished in a charge which resulted in the recapture of a piece of artillery from the enemy. After the surrender at Appomattox he returned to Bowling Green and soon embarked in the practice of law, in which he has been notably successful. He has been influential in public affairs, and has occupied several positions of prominence in civil life. He has served as county chairman of the political organization of his county, and attended as alternate delegate the National convention at Chicago which nominated Mr. Cleveland in 1884. For four terms he represented his county in the State assembly, and has twice been strongly supported for the nomination to Congress. In 1894 he was appointed to the important position of United States marshal for the eastern district of Virginia. His membership with the Confederate Veterans' association is in Pickett camp of Richmond, Va. Captain Hudgin still maintains his historic home at "Shepherd's Hill" in Caroline county, noted as being at one time the headquarters of General Hancock.

Captain Benjamin F. Hudgins, a native of Elizabeth City county, Va., entered the service of Virginia and the Confederacy in command of the Hampton Grays, a gallant company of volunteers, with whom he served as captain during the first two years of the war. He then was detailed for duty on the staff of Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, and during the remainder of the struggle he served in this capacity, with gallantry and efficiency, on the staffs of General Stuart and other commanders. Upon the close of hostilities he engaged in farming for a time, and then embarked in business as a dealer in coal and wood. From 1882 he conducted this business with much success, at Hampton, until his death, March 21, 1894. His wife, Rebecca Bland Worsham, a native of Dinwiddie county, died February 22. 1884. Their son, Astley Cooper, was reared upon the farm in Elizabeth City county, where he was born March 24, 1871, to the age of twelve years. Since then he has been a resident of Hampton. He was educated at the Virginia military institute and William and Mary college, leaving the latter institution in 1889 to assist his father in business. From October, 1889, to 1896 he was connected with the bank of Hampton in various important and responsible positions, and resigned this employment to