Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/659

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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Hampden-Sidney College in the class of 1859-60, graduating with the degrees of A. B. and A. M. Soon after this the Civil war began, and he enlisted in the Richmond Howitzers, where he served until made lieu- tenant of Martin's battery. With this latter organization he saw much service. After serving with General Jenkins on the Black- water, the company went into winter quar- ters in the fall of 1863 on the Appomattox river, near Petersburg, and in the following May was called upon to resist the attack made by General Benjamin Butler. At this time Lieutenant Morton was put in com- mand of a section of the canoneers and an infantry company to man Fort Clifton. With the heavy artillery of that fort, this force blew up one of the gunboats coming up the river and thus blocked the way of the others. For this service the battery was compli- mented in general orders by General Beau- regard. \\'ith the latter's army, the battery moved to the defenses of Richmond, and was stationed on the south side of the city to resist Butler while Grant was opposed on the north by General Lee. In the battle oi Drewry's Bluf¥, ]\Iartin"s battery covered the Richmond and Petersburg turnpike on Beauregard's right. After this it was re- moved to the Bermuda Hundred line, where it was under fire of the Federal gunboats. I'hence it removed to the north side of the Appomattox river, where it was put in posi- tion to enfilade Smith's corps, in its assault on Petersburg, and during this action Gen- eral Beauregard was present with the bat- tery directing the fire. The battery was in almost continual action in the defenses of Richmond and Petersburg, until the evacu- ation on the night of April 2. 1865. With Lee's army it retreated to the vicinity of Appomattox Court House, and was cut off from Lee's main body by Sheridan's cavalry, on the night of April 8. Captain Taylor Martin and his men considered it a great compliment that when his battery was placed in Beauregard's command. General Lee wrote Beauregard : "You can depend on Martin's Battery." Lieutenant Morton par- ticipated in the battles of Ball's BluiT, Seven Pines, the Seven Days' battle around Rich- mond, Drewry's BlufT, and in the ten months' siege of Richmond and Petersburg. After being cut ofJ from Lee's command at Appomattox Court House, Lieutenant Mor- ton, with several companion officers, joined

General Johnston at Greensboro, North Carolina. When that officer had decided to surrender to General Sherman, Lieutenant Morton and companions were informed of the approach of that event, and the latter accompanied him to his home, "Gravel Hill," in Charlotte, and were among those who did not surrender. He immediately turned his attention to peaceful occupations, and was soon appointed by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions to go to San Paulo, Brazil. Here he founded a school as an adjunct to his mission, and was fourteen years at the head of this institution. In 1841 he removed to New York City, and engaged in the promotion of corporations and various business enterprises, which has occupied his attention to the present time. He is still active in the Presbyterian church, and though a Democrat in political senti- ment, gives little attention to politics. His home is at \\'esterh', on Staten Island, New York, and he is esteemed, especially in the Virginia colony of New York, and generally v.herever known, for his scholarship and fine manly character.

He married. May 11, 1878, i\Iary Brown, of Baltimore, daughter of Harmon and Mar- garet (Wilson) Brown, and a sister of Gen- eial Stewart Brown. Children: i. George Harmon Le Grand, a resident of Westfield, New Jersey, engaged in business in New York City ; his wife is Emma Case, daugh- ter of Colonel Case, of the United States army. 2. Margaretta, wife of Joseph Clough, residing in New York City. 3. Susan, wife of Judge George Stewart Brown, of Baltimore, now one of the gen- eial appraisers of the port of New York. 4. David Holmes, a wholesale dry-goods merchant of New York. 5. Emily, Mrs. Wil- liam N. Macomb, of New York. 6. Wil- liam Stewart, of New York. 7. Mary, un- married. 8. Samuel, recently honorably dis- charged from the Thirteenth United States Infantry, after three years military service in the Philipine Islands.

Frank Vernon Baldwin. Frank A'ernon Baldwin, an active business man of New York and representative of the best blood of ^'irginia, was born January 26, 1866, in Amelia county, that state. The early land grants of Virginia show several pioneers of this name. John Baldwin received six hun- dred acres in Northampton county, March