Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/834

776 momentous events of that period, culminating in the passage of an ordinance of secession by the State of Virginia, filled the minds of the Lynchburg class of 1861 to the exclusion of other topics, and on account of their anxiety to enlist in the service of the State the graduating exercises were held about two months earlier than usual. In this class of young patriots were Senator John W. Daniel and Edward S. Gregory, the poet and journalist. During his college days young Burroughs displayed a military ability that led to his being put in command of an organization, and by virtue of this rank he had the honor, before departing, of raising the Confederate flag over the college. This proceeding was objected to by two of the trustees, but Burroughs nevertheless unfurled the colors, an act for which he was subsequently thanked after the war had actually begun. After his graduation he returned to Norfolk and enlisted as a private in "Old Company F," as a member of which he served several months at Craney island in defense of Norfolk harbor. Tiring of this monotonous duty, he secured a transfer to a battery of artillery on service in east Tennessee under command of his brother, Capt. William H. Burroughs. Entering the command as a private, he gained promotion by meritorious conduct, to orderly sergeant, third, second and first lieutenant, and served throughout the war. His duty, in the commands of Generals Stevenson and Kirby Smith, called him into various campaigns in Tennessee and Kentucky, and a large number of battles and skirmishes, the most important engagements being at Bull's Gap, Cumberland Gap, Marion and Knoxville. Out of this service he came without a wound, fortunately, though on one occasion his horse, standing by his side, lost a leg by a cannon shot from the enemy. Captain Burroughs' company is the one upon which Federal General Averell vowed vengeance on account of their execution of a deserter who joined the Federals and was afterward captured by them. The execution of the young fellow upon the gallows after his commissioning a comrade to put his sweetheart's picture under his head when buried, are among the most painful memories of Captain Burroughs. But such are the dread necessities of war. A notable incident in the career of this artillery command in mountainous territory was their charge upon a blockhouse which had been captured and garrisoned by Federals. This remarkable military movement for artillery was entirely successful. It illustrates the demands made in that region upon the versatility of the Confederate officers. Captain Burroughs, after giving his parole at Lynchburg, late in the summer of 1865, returned home and began the study of law, entering upon the practice in 1866. Since 1869 he has been a resident of Norfolk and associated in the practice of his profession with his brother, Capt. W. H. Burroughs, a partnership which has not been interrupted, except by the few years' service of his brother as judge of the corporation court of Norfolk. Mr. Burroughs' official career has been limited to one term as police judge, but he has for years taken an active part in political affairs, frequently being called upon to speak throughout the State during the campaigns of the Democratic party. He is a member of the chamber of commerce of the city, and is a comrade of Pickett-Buchanan camp, United Confederate Veterans. He was married in 1867 to Eliza A. Moore, of Wythe county, who died in 1872. Five years