Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1311

Rh, Frayser's Farm, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Williamsport, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Madison Run, Brandy Station, Yellow Tavern, Spottsylvania Court House, Bristoe Station, Buckland Races, Jack's Shop, Charlottesville, Va., and Second Bristoe Station.

William M. Wade, of Ettricks, Chesterfield county, was born in Henrietta county, February 15, 1835, the son of Wyatt M. Wade, who died when his son was a little over one year of age. He was educated in private schools and in youth was apprenticed to the craft of a blacksmith. He was working at his trade when the war broke out, and promptly enlisted in the service of the State, early in April, 1861, becoming a member of Company F of the Sixteenth Virginia infantry regiment. He was stationed at Tanner's Point, near Norfolk, until the evacuation of that region by the Confederate forces, after which he was sent with his command to confront the Federal forces threatening Richmond from the North. After some skirmishing on the Rapidan river, he returned to the vicinity of Richmond and took part in the battle of Seven Pines, after which his regiment was assigned to Mahone's brigade, and he fought with that command through the Seven Days' campaign, including Malvern Hill, at Second Manassas, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg. In 1863 he was detailed for duty as a blacksmith in the service of the Norfolk & Western railroad. In this capacity, in which his skill and devotion to duty were of great value to the cause, he remained until the close of the war. Subsequently he was connected with the same road for a time, and afterward with the Southern railroad about eighteen years. Since then he has conducted a grocery at Ettricks, and is a prosperous citizen. In addition to his mercantile pursuits, he is interested in real estate and other profitable investments. He is one of the charter members and an active comrade of A. P. Hill camp, Confederate Veterans. In 1857 Mr. Wade was married to Mary J. Moore, and they have two children: W. T. and Emmet M.

Major Benjamin Maitland Walker, M. D., of Danville, was born in Plymouth, N. C., April 10, 1838. His parents, Jordan and Martha (Nicholson) Walker, reared at Plymouth, N. C., a family of five sons and three daughters, and the father dying in 1844, the mother gave all her sons to the Confederate service. Thomas J. was a private in the Third North Carolina cavalry; William organized Company K of the same regiment, and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel; Crawford N. served in the heavy artillery under Johnston, and Carter was a private in the Third cavalry. Benjamin M., the third son, had been educated at Eglantine high school, and professionally at the university of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in medicine in March, 1858, and when the war began had been practicing three years in his native county. He promptly enlisted and was commissioned assistant surgeon in May, 1861, first being assigned to the cavalry squadrons at Greenville, N. C. In June, 1862, he was promoted surgeon, and assigned to the Third North Carolina cavalry, and in 1863, by virtue of seniority of commission, he was made brigade surgeon with the rank of major. Thus at twenty-five years of age he had under him ten surgeons, and his ability sustained him in this important rank. He was on duty in a number of important battles, including