Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/747

Rh at bay the army corps of A. J. Smith, until Lee could cross the James. Faithful to the last, he commanded his brigade in Anderson's corps, during the siege of Petersburg, gallantly fought in the front line of battle March 29 and 31, 1865, and during the retreat, on April 6th, made a gallant and successful charge against the enemy. In Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's report of the final operations, he wrote most fitly: "The past services of Gen. Henry A. Wise, his antecedents in civil life, and his age, caused his bearing upon this most trying retreat to shine conspicuously forth. His unconquerable spirit was filled with as much earnestness and zeal in April, 1865, as when he first took up arms four years ago, and the freedom with which he exposed a long life laden with honors proved he was willing to sacrifice it if it would conduce toward attaining the liberty of his country." After the war he engaged in the practice of law at Richmond. His death occurred September 14, 1876. His sons who survived him were Richard Alsop, a distinguished physician, and John Sergeant, captain Richmond Light Infantry Blues, and after the war a congressman from Virginia.

 Julius Adolphus De Lagnel, the hero of Rich Mountain, commissioned brigadier-general in the provisional army of the Confederate States, was born in New Jersey, and was appointed from Virginia to the United States army on March 8. 1847, as second lieutenant of the Second infantry. In January, 1849, he was promoted first lieutenant. Resigning his commission upon the formation of the Confederacy, he tendered his services to the new government, and was commissioned captain, corps of artillery, C. S. A. Going into western Virginia with General Garnett, he became his chief of artillery, and was stationed at Rich mountain, with the command of General Pegram. When the latter officer perceived that McClellan intended to flank his position by taking possession of the crest of Rich mountain, he sent De Lagnel with several companies of infantry and one piece of artillery to defend the mountain to the last extremity. Here he withstood the attack of a largely superior force under Rosecrans, making a desperate fight until his men were forced back by the heavy fire of musketry and artillery. 