Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/380

 372 Southern Historical Society Papers.

of that regiment. A third brother, Major William Berkeley, who lives in Richmond, was major of the regiment. Still a fourth brother, the late Captain Charles Berkeley, was a senior captain in the Eighth.

FAMOUS FOR ITS HEROISM.

This remarkable organization, that became known throughout, the Confederate army for its heroism, was composed of five com- panies from Loudoun County, three companies from Fauquier County, one company from Prince William County, and one from Fairfax County. It was under the command of Colonel Eppa Hunton, who was made brigadier-general after the death of General Richard Garnett at Gettysburg.

Pickett, in his immortal charge at Gettysburg, had three brigades, commanded, respectively, by General Garnett, General Armistead - and General Kemper, who afterward became Governor of Virginia. General Garnett was killed in the battle, General Armistead was mortally wounded, and General Kemper was crippled for life.

In the Eighth Virginia the three Berkeley brothers Edmund, Norborne and William were field officers. Colonel Berkeley said yesterday he did not believe there was another regiment in either army that had three brothers as field officers. All the Berkeley brothers were wounded during the war and all were imprisoned, except Colonel Edmund Berkeley.

AFTER LEAD FOR BULLETS.

Toward the close of the war, when bullets became scarce in the Confederate army, Colonel Berkeley was commissioned to penetrate the Union lines and go in search of lead. When the close, of the conflict came, he was busy collecting old lead pipe and leaden ware of every sort with which to mold bullets for his comrades.

While nearly eighty-three years old, Colonel Berkeley is as hale and hearty as a strong man of fifty-five or sixty. He takes long walks every day and can ride horseback like a youngster. He does not wear glasses, and is ready to engage in a shooting contest with anybody at any time. Colonel Berkeley has many friends in Baltimore.