Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1330

1246 Confederate service, cutting the timber themselves and building a strong earthwork, where they subsequently made a spirited fight against the Federal boat Harriet Lane. In December, 1861, Mr. Weaver was appointed carpenter in the Confederate navy, and was ordered to report to Commodore Lynch at New Bern, N. C. Then being ordered back to Portsmouth, he was assigned to the Sea Bird, under Lieut. Patrick McCarrick, the flagship of Commodore Lynch. He took part in the capture of a Federal schooner near Old Point Comfort, and then at Roanoke island in January, 1862, he took part in the naval battle against the Federal fleet accompanying Burnside's expedition. Commodore Lynch thence retired up the Pasquotank to Elizabeth City and sent Captain Hunter to Norfolk for ammunition. Here their little fleet of six vessels was overwhelmed by the fourteen Federal warships and Mr. Weaver was taken prisoner. After being held for a time on board a Federal ship he was released. He made his way to Richmond from Portsmouth, through the Federal lines, and reporting to the secretary of the navy, was ordered to Charleston, where he was assigned to the steamer Chicora during its construction and equipment, after which he served on that vessel under Capt John R. Tucker, until 1864. Then applying for transfer to the army or his discharge, he was granted the latter. But he immediately joined his family at Richmond and during the remainder of the war served in the navy yard at Rockett's and as a soldier in the defense of the city. During the greater part of the years which have since elapsed, he has been conducting quite successfully a retail drug business at Portsmouth, and has rendered efficient public service as a member of the city council and the school board. In 1855 he was married to Harriet F. Morgan, and they have five children living: Samuel W., Hattie F., wife of James E. Williams; Orie P., Lillie H. and Joseph F., Jr.

John S. Webber, assistant chief of the fire department of Norfolk, and a veteran of the artillery of the army of Northern Virginia, was born at Norfolk in 1843. His father, John Webber, son of William Webber, a native of England, was an officer in the United States navy. His mother was Lucie, daughter of Paul Doto, a native of France. Mr. Webber was reared and educated at his native city, and at the age of seventeen became a member of the United artillery, under command of Captain Kevill, and with this command entered as a private the service of the Confederate States. Subsequently he was transferred to Captain Young's floating artillery, but on account of his familiarity with the arts of sailmaking was detailed by Governor Letcher in the manufacture of tents for the army. He was thus engaged at Richmond until 1862, when he enlisted with the Fayette artillery, with which he served during the remainder of the war, doing the full duty of a soldier and earning promotion to the rank of sergeant. He joined the Fayette artillery at Yorktown early in 1862 and participated in the subsequent campaign on the peninsula until the two days' struggle at Seven Pines, when he received a severe wound in the neck which disabled him for about four months. After his return to his command he took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, and then, attached to the artillery battalion of Pickett's division of Longstreet's corps, participated in the