Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/966

902 Virginia in the Confederate States senate and senator from West Virginia, subsequently, in the United States senate. They have four sons and a daughter.

Patrick F. Gorman, of Alexandria, a veteran of Kemper's battery, was born in Kilkenny county, Ireland, February 14, 1842. When five years of age he was brought by his parents to America, the family first making its home in Massachusetts. After two years' residence in that State they removed to Baltimore and a year later to Alexandria, where Mr. Gorman was reared and educated. At the organization of the Alexandria Light Artillery, more widely known as Kemper's battery, in February, 1861, he enlisted as a private, and, in this command, served throughout the war, earning promotion to the rank of sergeant. His military career was identical with that of the battery, of which he furnishes the following brief but comprehensive account: The organization was mustered into the service April 17, 1861, and on June 17th following was engaged in the affair at Vienna Station. On July 18th the battery was in the action of Bull Run, and on July 21st took an important part in the battle of Manassas. At the close of that day No. 1 gun fired solid shot at a wagon on Stone bridge, upsetting the wagon and causing a stampede of the Federal troops at that place. Credit has been erroneously given for this action to another battery, but Kemper's was the only artillery there at that time. During the movement from Manassas to Richmond, the battery served as rear guard upon one of the roads used by the army, with several engagements en route, and in the vicinity of Richmond was engaged in most of the actions on the Chickahominy river and fought under General Magruder through the Peninsular campaign. At Meadow bridge they were engaged and during the Seven Days' battles did splendid service, including several successful engagements on the line of the York River railroad before reaching Savage Station, where the battery was charged under heavy fire and attempted to be captured, but by heroic action repulsed the attack. At Frayser's Farm, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill they were also engaged with distinction. Subsequently the battery served on the Pamunkey river near White House and on the Nansemond river, including a fight with the gunboat Stepping Stones and other vessels. Other service was done at Franklin Station on the Seaboard & Roanoke railroad, and on the Blackwater river. During the investment of Richmond the company was assigned to the Eighteenth Virginia battalion, heavy artillery, and, serving as infantry, did creditable service in all the fights about Richmond during the raids of Stoneman, Dahlgren and Kilpatrick. It took part in the engagements at Fort Gilmer, Darbytown Road and Charles City Court House, and continued to serve in the lines of defense until the evacuation of the capital. During the retreat the company was several times engaged with the enemy, and finally surrendered at Sailor's Creek, on April 6, 1865, after a gallant defense, in which the enemy was three times repulsed. At sundown of that day the command was surrounded by the Federal forces and compelled to capitulate. In this battle Sergeant Gorman was seriously wounded in the leg, and, after being captured, lay upon the battlefield several days, after which he was taken to Port Walthall, thence to City Point, Baltimore and Fort McHenry. At the