Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/774

718 Miss., one of the most prominent churches of that State. A not overstrong constitution soon felt the effect of the Columbus climate, and after three years of successful work, he was compelled to seek a more invigorating atmosphere. This brought him at length to North Carolina, where, with tokens of divine blessing, he served in several town pastorates. It was at this time and in the Old North State that he found his helpmeet, a woman in every way suited to share his life work, its toils and its honors. He was on the 11th of June, 1889, married to Miss Margaret Stewart, of Clinton, N. C. At this writing it has been six years since Dr. Battle came to the pastorate of the First Baptist church of Petersburg, Va., and his ministry in the Cockade city has been an uninterrupted success. Presiding over a large congregation of wealthy and cultivated people, he measures up to the full requirements of the high position and exerts a commanding influence on the moral and spiritual life of the city. In the State of Virginia Dr. Battle easily takes a front rank in the Baptist denomination and his voice is heard and influence felt in all her councils. He is the honored president of the Sunday School and Bible board, and a valued trustee of the Woman's college at Richmond, Va. Soon after his coming to Virginia he received from Wake Forest college, the honorary degree of doctor of divinity.

Oscar F. Baxter, of Norfolk, a veteran of the cavalry of the army of Northern Virginia, was born in Currituck county, N. C., where his family had resided for several generations, his grandfather, Isaac Baxter, having been a prosperous planter, and sheriff of the county for over forty years. He was left an orphan in early boyhood by the death of his father, Isaac N. Baxter, in 1855, and by the death of his mother, whose maiden name was Frances Bray, in 1852. From 1855 until 1862 he made his home with his uncle, Dr. Oscar F. Baxter, for whom he was named, who had served in the United States army as a surgeon during the Mexican war, and subsequently held the same rank in the Confederate States army. At the age of seventeen he left his uncle's home at Kempsville, Princess Anne county, Va., and in May, 1862, entered the Confederate service as a private in Burrough's Fourteenth battalion of cavalry. After the evacuation of Norfolk in 1862, this battalion was united with the Fifteenth battalion of cavalry, the two forming the Fifteenth Virginia regiment of cavalry. Still later the Fifteenth was consolidated with the Fifth Virginia regiment of cavalry. With this gallant command he endured the dangers and hardships of a soldier's life, sharing in fatiguing marches and going sometimes for three days and nights without food, and missing none of the engagements of his regiment except when he was a prisoner of war. Among the prominent battles of his service were Seven Pines, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Culpeper Court House, Brandy Station, Luray, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Gainesville, Trevilian Station, Reams' Station. In 1864 he was captured in eastern North Carolina and was confined at Point Lookout seven months. On being exchanged he rejoined his command and served until the surrender at Appomattox, receiving his final parole at Norfolk. Returning to his home before he was twenty-one, he engaged in farming until 1891, meanwhile removing to Broad Creek, Princess Anne county. Since 1891 he has resided at Norfolk, and has been occupied with real