Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/240

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\IRGI.\IA BIOdRAPHY

perinteiulcnt until January I, 1890. He re- ceived the degree of A. .M. from Hampden- Sidne}- in 1838 and that of LL. 1). from \\\\- liam and Mary in 1878 and was the author of: "Best Methods of Conducting Common Schools" (1849); "College Reform" (1850, and several mathematical books. He died in Lexington. \'irginia, March 21, 1890.

Graham, Lawrence Pike, was born in Amelia county, \'irginia January 8, 1815; a son of Dr. William Graham ; was ap- pointed second lieutenant of the Second Dragoons in 1837, and subsequently pro- moted first lieutenant and captain. In 1842 he served in the campaign against the Semi- noles, and was present at the battle of Loch- ahatchee. In the Mexican war he was bre- vetted major for gallantry in the engage- ments at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and promoted major June 14, 1858. In Oc- tober, 1861, he was made lieutenant-colonel ci the Fifth Cavalry in the United States army, colonel of the Fourth Cavalry, May 9. 1864, and brevet brigadier-general for meritorious services during the civil war, March 13. 1865. Previously, in August, i8fii, he was commissioned brigadier-gen- eral of volunteers, and in 1862 raised and commanded a brigade of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac. He afterwards acted as president of a general court-marital at Si. Louis, and of a board for the examina- tion of invalid officers at Annapolis. He vvas mustered out of the volunteer services, August 24, 1865, and placed on the retired list December 15, 1870.

Dyer, Alexander B., was liorn in Rich- mond, Virginia, January 10, 1815, died in Washington, D. C, IMay 20, 1874. He was graduated at the United States Military

Academy in 1837. serving in garrison at Fortress Monroe, \'irginia, in the Florida war of 1837-38, and on ordnance duty at various arsenals in 1838-46, was chief of ordnance of the army invading Xew Mexic(' in 1846-48, during a part of which time he was on the staff of Gen. Sterling Price, and was engaged at Canada, Taos, where he was wounded February 4, 1847, ^"^ Santa Cruz de Rosales, Mexico, receiving for his ser- vice brevets of first lieutenant and captain. He was afterwards in command of the North Carolina arsenal. At the beginning of the civil war Capt. Dyer was active in promot- ing the efficiency of the ordnance depart- ment. He invented the Dyer projectile for cannon. He was in command of the Spring- held armory in 1861-64, and greatly extended the manufacture of small arms for the arrry. In 1864, PS chief of ordnance, United States arnn-. he was placed in charge of the ord- nance bureau in Washington, D. C. with the rank of brigadier-general, and he retained this rank until his death. In March, 1865, he was brevetted major-general. United States army, for faithful, meritorious aiid distinguished services.

Thomas, George Henry, born in South- ampton county, \'irginia, July 31, 1816. He p/as a law student when in 1835 he was ap- pointed to the United States Military Acad- emy, from which he was graduated and a])pointed second lieutenant of artillery, July I. 1840. Lie served in the Seminole war in .''"lorida and was brevetted first lieu- tenant for gallantry and good conduct ; on garrison and recruiting duty, 1842-45 ; in thf Mexican war was brevetted captain for gal- lant conduct at Monterey, and major for Luena \"ista. In 1849-50 he was engaged