Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1327

Rh of the late F. E. Jones, and they have two sons and two daughters.

Legh R. Watts, of Portsmouth, whose life has been one of prominence alike in legal, financial and political fields, also made an honorable record in youth as a participant in the struggle for independence of the Southern States. He was born at Portsmouth, December 12, 1843. His father, Dr. Edward M. Watts, son of Col. Dempsey Watts, was born at Portsmouth in 1807; was graduated at the university of Pennsylvania; in 1837 married Ann Maupin, daughter of Dr. George W. Maupin, surgeon United States army; and died in 1849, leaving three children: A daughter, who married James G. Holladay; Edward M., now deceased; and Legh R. In his boyhood Judge Watts had the advantages of the best schools in that region, including the institute of Prof. N. B. Webster and Prof. W. R. Gait's academy at Norfolk. When he was seventeen years of age the Confederate States government was in its inception, and in the following spring the war which drew so heavily upon the youth of Virginia, had been opened by the battle of Manassas, which seemed to promise to the South a speedy and peaceful recognition of independence. But reverses occurred in other sections, and more of Virginia's patriotic sons were called into the field. Young Watts, of delicate constitution and unfitted for the fatigues of active campaigning, tendered his services nevertheless, and entered upon the duties of a private in the signal corps, serving about the harbor of Portsmouth and Norfolk. He was soon afterward discharged by the State medical board on account of physical disability, but after the port was occupied by the Federals he escaped, running the blockade, and on reaching the Confederate lines re-entered the service. He was then assigned to duty as assistant to Maj. George W. Grice, chief of the forage bureau of the department of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, with headquarters at Columbia, S. C. Here he remained on duty until that point was occupied by Sherman's army, when he retired to Chester, and thence accompanied the army of Johnston to Greensboro, N. C., where, with the entire command, he was paroled in April, 1865. Then returning to his old home he turned his attention to professional education for a civil career. That fall he entered the university of Virginia, where he took several academic studies in addition to the law, being graduated in the special studies in 1866, and in law in 1867. Thereupon he at once began the practice at Portsmouth, associating himself with the prominent firm of Holladay & Gayle, a partnership which continued until 1870. In April of the latter year he was elected judge of the county court of Norfolk county, by the general assembly of Virginia, a position in which he was continued by reflection without opposition until 1880. After ten years upon the bench, in which his abilities as a jurist and integrity as a man were faithfully devoted to the public good, he resumed the practice of the law, and in 1884 formed a partnership with G. Hatton, Esq., which continuing to the present time, is widely known as one of the leading legal firms of the State. In his practice he has given special attention to corporation law, with the result that he is counsel for many of the principal corporations of southeastern Virginia, and holds the important position of general counsel of the Seaboard Air Line system. Possessed also of great business