Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1058

992 William Langhorne, was a member of the house of burgesses. He was born in Cumberland county, March 27, 1823. Brought by his parents to Lynchburg, in December, 1827, he was reared and educated at that city, and, in 1840, entered business life as a clerk there in a dry goods establishment. Four years later he embarked in an independent business career as a manufacturer of tobacco, which he continued until the passage of the ordinance of secession. He was then a well-informed militia soldier and held the rank of captain of the Lynchburg Rifle Greys. With his command he immediately answered the call of the State, and the company was mustered in as Company A of the Eleventh Virginia infantry, on April 23, 1861. As captain of his company he participated in the action at Blackburn's Ford, July 18th, and in the battle of Manassas, July 21st. In September he was promoted major, and, as a compliment deserved by gallant service, was placed by Gen. J. E. B. Stuart in command of ten companies, including his own and details from other regiments, at Munson's Hill, overlooking Washington. In this position, on September 29, 1861, he sustained an attack by a three-fold preponderating force of Federals, and by fearless action and an effective use of the two pieces of artillery at hand, repulsed three assaults of the enemy. In November following he fought at Dranesville, and on May 5, 1862, participated in the battle of Williamsburg, in the Peninsular campaign. Promoted lieutenant-colonel, May 31st, he did gallant service at Seven Pines in command of his regiment, but fell severely wounded. Promotion to colonel promptly followed, but his injuries were of such a nature that it was impossible for him to return to the field and his career as a commander, with its promise of rapid and high advancement, was brought to a close. Determined, however, to do all that he could for the cause, he accepted as soon as he was partially recovered, in the winter of 1862-63, the command of the military post at Lynchburg and held this position until the following summer. Subsequently, being retired from active service by the medical board at Lynchburg, he was assigned to the department of reserves, under command of General Kemper, and remained upon that duty until toward the close of 1864. He was then transferred to the engineering department at Richmond, under General Gilmer, and served in that capacity in the defense of the city until its evacuation. Then returning to Lynchburg, by order of General Gilmer, he was paroled there in April, 1865, terminating a highly creditable and meritorious career in the service of the Confederate States. On returning to civil life at the close of the war, he was engaged, until 1867, as an insurance agent, and then returned to his original occupation, the manufacture of tobacco, which he carried on for six years, then retiring from business. Now, past the allotted three-score and ten, he watches with great interest the rehabilitation of his loved Virginia, and the promising efforts of the generation which has taken the burden from the shoulders of those who fought in the war of the Confederacy.

John W. Lash, of Portsmouth, a native of that city, was one of those patriots who enrolled themselves on the night of April 20, 1861, immediately following Governor Letcher's call for volunteers, and were organized in a company called the "Virginia Defenders," under Capt. E. T. Blamire. As Company C it was assigned to the