Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/213

 Sketch of ( 1 <ipt. Dnti I\ IMsey. 205

any retreat. As we had only about 800 men to oppose 7,500 splen- didly equipped cavalry, of course we had no show and fell an easy victim. Your gallant father had charge of my left wing and held his position as long as possible. When forced back he reported to me his old horse, that he so loved, was fatally shot, and when he rode up was about to fall. I told him to put ' old John ' (I think he called his horse) out of the way, and try to get to a place of safety, as the Yankee cavalry was getting all around us, and all would be killed or captured. This was the last I saw of him, as in a few minutes the Federal cavalry was riding over or around our men and ordering them to halt and surrender. This was the end of our Division, as all, except a few who were with the baggage or on picket or by accident escaped, were captured. I am quite sure your gal- lant father held a commission as major, as I remember the order assigning named him major and adjutant-general as did the order of Major Smith as inspector-general. I esteemed your father most highly as a brave and cool officer and valued his advice. Our rela- tions were most cordial and intimate."

In a similar letter General R. D. Johnston wrote:

" He was certainly a most capable and efficient man, and partici- pated in all the engagements in which we took part with gallantry, and was commended in all the reports as well as I can remember. He was promoted to a majority, and assigned to a division as adju- tant-general, I think, in 1864 or '65, and of course I did not see him again."

After the war he took up the burden of life, as did most Confed- erate soldiers, under far more disadvantageous circumstances than would have surrounded him had the result of the war been different, and began the practice of law in Lynchburg. On the yth of March, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Warwick Daniel, the daughter of Judge William Daniel, Jr., and the grand- daughter of John M. Warwick, Esq., from whose house the wedding took place, and his home-life, as husband and father, was of the happiest and most exemplary character.

For a while he was in partnership with Judge Daniel and his son, now Senator John W. Daniel, under the firm name of Daniel, Hal- sey and Daniel. Later on he decided to move to Richmond, where he resided several years, during which time he was the recipient of an extensive practice, being especially popular with the large German element of that city on account of the facility with which he spoke