Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1159

Rh family, and former deputy sheriff, who was born in 1807 and was yet in good health in 1897. The wife of the latter was Mary E., daughter of William Flenhart, a seaman. In 1861 Mr. Oliver enlisted as a private in the Marion Rangers, or Company A of the Sixteenth regiment, Virginia infantry. He was with his command below Norfolk until the evacuation of that post, when they moved to Rapidan Station and thence to Richmond and joined Lee's army, participating in the Seven Days' campaign and the battle of Malvern Hill. Subsequently he took part in the battle of Second Manassas and the Maryland campaign, his regiment being particularly distinguished in the gallant action at Crampton's Gap. At Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, the Crater, Reams' Station, Hatcher's Run, and many other engagements he took part in making the brilliant record of his regiment and brigade, and finally surrendered with the army at Appomattox. He took part in the determined charge that cleared the lines of the enemy after the explosion of the mine under the Petersburg fortifications, took part in several fights on the Weldon railroad, and in the action at Davis Farm, August 19, 1864, he was wounded. On June 22, 1864, he participated in the fight at Wilcox's Farm, in which his brigade attacked the Federals outside the Petersburg lines and captured a number of prisoners. After the close of the war Private Oliver returned to Suffolk and took up the duties of a civil career without a particle of capital, but richly endowed with energy and a capacity for hard work which had been developed during his service as a soldier. He found employment on his father's farm until 1867, and then embarked in farming on his own account. His success has been remarkable and he now owns a splendidly equipped farm on the banks of the Nansemond, in direct communication with the markets by water, where he lives in comfort. He maintains his comradeship with his old companions by membership in Tom Smith camp, United Confederate Veterans. In 1866 he was married to Lucy, daughter of James Oliver, of Nansemond county, and they have ten children.

William J. Oliver, of Nansemond county, a private of Company G, Ninth Virginia regiment, and during a large part of his service connected with the headquarters of Lieut.-Gen. James Longstreet, was born April 13, 1838, in the county where he now resides. His father was Armistead Oliver, a son of Capt. Jack Oliver, and descended from a worthy line of Virginia planters, for many years associated with the development of the State. His mother was Priscilla, daughter of Jesse Saunders, of Nansemond county. At the time when the crisis was reached between the North and South, Mr. Oliver, a young man of twenty-three years, was preparing himself at Portsmouth for a career as a manufacturer of carriages and harness. He promptly entered the service as a member of the Portsmouth Rifles, on April 18, 1861, a company which was subsequently assigned to the Ninth Virginia infantry as Company G. He served with the company at Pig's point in the repulse of the Harriet Lane, and afterward near Elizabeth City until the abandonment of Norfolk. He was with his regiment through the campaign against McClellan before Richmond, including the battle