Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/769

Rh, of Dorchester, Md., and they have two children, Edward F. and Lulu Amelia.

Thomas F. Barksdale, a highly esteemed citizen of Roanoke, Va., was born in Halifax county in 1833. He was educated at the Virginia military institute, where he received a training that made him subsequently a useful soldier in the Confederate army. After his graduation in 1855 he taught school for two years in Floyd and Roanoke counties, and in 1859 returned to Halifax to embark in the practice of law, for which he had meanwhile fitted himself by professional studies. This occupation he abandoned in April, 1861, to enter the military service of the State with the Halifax Light Infantry, a volunteer organization in which he held the rank of orderly sergeant. With his company he was assigned to the Fifty-third Virginia infantry regiment, and was promoted to junior second lieutenant. Lieutenant Barksdale served with this regiment during the year of enlistment, returning home in May, 1862. Subsequently he became a member of the Fifth regiment of cavalry, in which command he served until disabled by wounds received in battle. He fought in the initial conflict on Virginia soil, at Big Bethel, went through the bloody battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House, and participated in the famous cavalry battle at Yellow Tavern, where he received two wounds, one in the right arm and one in the left shoulder, which were so serious as to incapacitate him for further service. He rejoined his command in the winter of 1864-65, but was sent to the hospital at Charlottesville for treatment. After the close of hostilities he made his home at Roanoke, where he has since resided, and is successfully engaged in real estate brokerage.

Robert G. Barlow, of Williamsburg, Va., a Confederate soldier, identified for four years with the career of the Thirty-second Virginia infantry regiment, was born at Williamsburg, September 4, 1842. His parents, Robert J. Barlow, a native of New Kent county, and Sarah Grave, who was born at Williamsburg, gave yet another son to the Confederate cause, who served in the Thirty-second regiment until just on the eve of the return of peace he was killed at Dinwiddie Court House, March 31, 1865. Robert entered the service in April, 1861, with the Junior Guards of Williamsport, which became Company C of the Thirty-second regiment, Corse's brigade, Pickett's division, army of Northern Virginia, and served through the four years' struggle as a private and sergeant. He participated in many engagements in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and North Carolina, his principal battles being Seven Pines, Savage's Station, Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Yellow Tavern, Second Cold Harbor, Drewry's Bluff and Five Forks. Through all this fiery trial he was so fortunate as to pass without a wound, though his clothing was frequently pierced by bullets. On the retreat from Petersburg, in 1865, he was captured at High Bridge, and was imprisoned for a short time at Libby prison, Richmond. After the close of hostilities he returned to Williamsburg and resumed his former employment as a carpenter, which has occupied him ever since. For three years past he has held the post of carpenter at the Eastern lunatic asylum at Williamsburg. He is a valued member of Magruder-Ewell camp, Confederate veterans. February 11, 1868, he was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Crandel, daughter of James West, and widow of