Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/339

Rh To the Editor of the Dispatch: 

Much of the interest has been given in regard to this distinguished regiment in several recent issues of the Dispatch, but it is to be hoped that one of your correspondents, Mr. Hotzlaw, was more accurate in regard to the other officers than he was as to Colonel William B. Wooldridge.

In stating that Colonel Wooldridge never returned to the regiment after he was wounded, he is entirely in error, and though I am sure unintentionally, is apt to create a false impression among those who do not know his record.

I was intimately associated with Colonel Wooldridge for many years, and though he always spoke of his own military career in the most modest and simple way, there have been none of his superior officers or comrades, from General Fitzhugh Lee down to privates, who do not give the fullest testimony to his great skill, coolness and gallantry.

From Colonel Woolridge's widow and other relatives I have also discovered that he did return to the regiment as soon as possible after his wound was healed. But this evidence is unnecessary. I have before me a rough sketch of his application for membership in the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia, dated October 30, 1879. It is as follows: "I entered the cavalry service on the 23d of April, 1861, as First Lieutenant of Company B, Chesterfield Cavalry, which company, at the organization of the Fourth Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, became Company B, of said regiment; was promoted to Captain January 1, 1862, and reelected Captain at the reorganization of the regiment in the spring of 1862. Promoted to Major in the fall of 1863; wounded at Spotsylvania Courthouse May the 9th, 1864, and leg was amputated. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel June, 1864; promoted to Colonel December, 1864; assumed command