Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/835

Rh later he married Maria May, daughter of Richard H. Baker, a prominent Norfolk lawyer, and a granddaughter of David May, eminent in the Petersburg bar, and of Judge Richard H. Baker, a Virginian of much note in his day. By this marriage he has four sons living: William H., Richard Hansford, Hugh May and Benjamin Baker. Captain Burroughs is a typical Virginian of the noblest mold, in person a fine specimen of manhood, of commanding presence, and graceful and courtly manners. As a lawyer he is able, skillful and fearless, but always scrupulously respectful toward opposing counsel. Gentle as a woman, he has the chivalric courage of knighthood, and all who come in contact with him recognize the honorable and fair-minded advocate, the courteous gentleman and the able defender of his client's rights. As a public speaker his accomplishments are equal if not superior to those of any contemporaries of the bar at which he practices. A select and varied vocabulary, an earnest and graceful delivery, a mind well-stored with literary lore, an ardent and enthusiastic temperament—these and other attractive qualities are combined in his personality. As a citizen, the fire of patriotism burns in his bosom intensely and brightly as the sun shines in the heavens, and his public spirit is only limited by his resources. Indeed, in every department of life his virtues stamp him with the impress of noble manhood, worthy of the palmiest days of the grand old State of which he is so devoted a son.

Captain William H. Burroughs, a prominent attorney of Norfolk, is a native of Princess Anne county, born February 20, 1832. His family, originally of English descent, is one of the oldest in Virginia. His father, John J. Burroughs, born in Essex county in October, 1798, was the son of Capt. Elzy Burroughs, a native of Stafford county, who served on the staff of Gen. Robert E. Taylor in the war of 1812. Captain Burroughs' mother was Eliza, daughter of William Thomson, a merchant of Norfolk and collector of the port at Norfolk under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, who migrated from Scotland to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century, crossing in the same boat which brought the Whittle family. Captain Burroughs, as a boy of thirteen, entered a school at Norfolk which was taught by William R. Galt, a celebrated teacher of that day, and he studied there from 1845 to 1848, then entering the Virginia military institute at Lexington, where he was graduated in 1851. Having received an excellent education, he became a teacher in the Norfolk military academy, holding that position for two years. Then deciding to turn his attention to the law, he entered the law department of William and Mary college, and after his graduation, which occurred July 4, 1854, he embarked in the practice at Princess Anne Court House. Thence he removed in January, 1859, to Lee Court House, and a few months later to Jacksboro, Campbell county, Tenn., where he continued in the practice until the beginning of the war, in 1861. At that time he was a staunch supporter of the old Union and opposed secession until his State took that action, when he loyally enlisted in her service. Repairing to Knoxville early in 1861, he utilized his military training by drilling a regiment mustered in under command of William M. Churchill, and then received a commission as captain of a company in this command in June, 1861. He accompanied the regiment to Cumberland Gap in September, and in