Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/809

Rh in command of Lieut.-Col. T. H. Carter's battalion on the fields of Chancellorsville, Winchester and Gettysburg. At Chancellorsville he took part in Jackson's flank movement, and on the second day, in command of several batteries pushed forward gallantly until he had planted his guns upon the enemy's works. After the return to Virginia he commanded a battalion of artillery in the Mine Run campaign, and about this time was recommended by General Pendleton, chief of artillery, as one of the officers most deserving of promotion. The rank of lieutenant-colonel was soon afterward conferred upon him, and he retained command of a battalion of the artillery of the Second corps. He fought with Ewell in the Wilderness and at Spottsylvania, where, throughout the bloody day of May 12th, he rendered important service. He continued to be actively engaged, so far as natural conditions permitted, in this campaign up to and including the battle of Cold Harbor, and then was transferred with Early's division to the Shenandoah valley. He took part in Early's advance down the valley and expedition against Washington including the battle of Monocacy, and after the return to the valley was engaged in the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill, against Sheridan. At Winchester, on the left of the Confederate army, he was early in the action, left facing the enemy at short distance without support. The situation was critical, but as General Early has written: "Braxton's guns, in which now was our only hope, resolutely stood their ground, and under the personal superintendence of Lieut.Col. C. M. Braxton, and Col. T. H. Carter, then my chief of artillery, opened with canister on the enemy. The fire was so rapid and well directed, that the enemy staggered, halted and commenced falling back." As a result of Colonel Braxton's coolness, the battle that morning resulted in a victory for the Confederates. In January, 1865, Colonel Braxton was assigned to the heavy artillery at Chaffin's Bluff, and later he was on duty in the fortifications near Richmond, and during the final part of the siege, he was in charge of the artillery attached to the command of Gen. R. H. Anderson on the extreme right of the lines. He fought at Hatcher's Run and later at Five Forks, and surrendered with the army at Appomattox. He then returned to Fredericksburg and resumed his profession as a civil engineer, in which he became connected with several important enterprises. He built the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac, and the Potomac, Fredericksburg & Piedmont railroads, located the Fredericksburg & Alexandria railroad, and as chief engineer of construction for the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad, built the terminals at Newport News. With the same company he served as engineer of maintenance of way until 1889, when he resigned to carry out a contract he had undertaken to build a portion of the shipyard at Newport News. Subsequently he was engaged in many important building contracts, and was interested in the real estate business. At Newport News, where he made his home, he was one of the most highly regarded citizens, and was widely known for his military and professional services. One of his cherished honors was the post of commander of Magruder camp, United Confederate Veterans. He was a member of the official board of his Baptist church, and in masonry had the advanced rank of the Scottish rite and Thirty-second degree. He was married February 14, 1865, to