Histories and Photos O-S

Joseph Henry Phlegar

Joseph was born to Isaac George Phlegar and Sarah Catherine Rutherford on Thursday, August 15, 1839 in the rolling hills of Floyd County, Virginia. He was the first of 5 children for Isaac and Sarah. Joseph married the love of his life in 1860, Angeline C. Epperly.

Joseph and Angeline were blessed with thirteen children, with the first being expected when Joseph enlisted in the 54^th Virginia Infantry, CSA, April 15, 1861. April 30, 1862 in Culpepper Virginia, Joseph was one of 4 enlistees diverted by Captain Pelham from the 54^th to Stuarts Horse Artillery. Captain Pelham had promised his men that Stuarts Horse Artillery would be very active and on the move in the months ahead.

Captain Pelham kept his word, moving from Culpepper through Richmond, then to the Virginia peninsula, taking part in many skirmishes in early May of 1862. Although close by, roads had become almost impassable due to rains and prevented them from assisting in the Battle of Seven Pines.

Early June, the Brigade moved to Hanover C.H., and June 25^th joined forces with Stonewall Jacksons troops in the Shenandoah Valley. They encountered enemy troops at Cold Harbor, White House, Bottoms Bridge, Providence Forge and back to Malvern Hill.

Early July the brigade was encamped on the banks of James River in Charles City County. There purpose was to harass the enemy transport boats and gunboats, including the Monitor.

Most of July and August was spent in the Northern Neck area of Virginia, with many skirmishes and protecting the Virginia Central Railroad in Gordonsville, VA.

August 29^th Battle of 2^nd Manassas, September 17^th, Battle of Sharpsburg, then crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains in late October, and was involved in the Ten Days skirmishes. From there, Stuart was ordered to Fredericksburg, Virginia in early December.

On Saturday, December 13, 1862 at the Battle of Fredericksburg Joseph receive a serious wound by an enemy shell, resulting in the loss of his right forearm.

He was ultimately sent to a converted tobacco warehouse in Lynchburg, Virginia to recuperate. Joseph had fought at the side of many great Confederate leaders, General Robert E. Lee, Lieutenant General James Longstreet, Lieutenant General Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson, Major General James E. B. Stuart, Lieutenant Col. John Pelham, Major James Breathed, and Captain Robert Beckham. After being released from the hospital in Lynchburg, Joseph was to spend the rest of the war at home with Angeline and a growing family.

Submitted by Carolyn E. Austin, wife of Thomas E. Austin, Great, Great, Grandson.

NATHAN G. PRICE

Nathan Price was the son of Nathaniel D. and Mecca B. Price of Charlotte County, Virginia.

He was born April 7, 1833 and died August 18, 1881. He married Florence Early of Bedford, Virginia.

Nathan was one of five brothers who served in the Confederacy. He served under Captain Parrish in the Staunton Hill Artillery. After the war he came back to his home, Maple Grove and lived out the rest of his life as a farmer. Below, is a letter that Nathan sent to his sister Kate while he was stationed near Wilmington, North Carolina. This letter among other letters and documents were found about 10 years ago in a roll top desk in the Price home, where Price descendents still reside today.

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Camp Davis Mason near Wilmington N.C.
July 8th, 1864

Dear Sister,
         Yours of the 4th of this month was received in due time. Nat arrived here safely on last evening. I was very glad to see him to hear from home. It had been about one month since, I had heard from you all. I was glad to hear all were well. I have not received a letter from Bro Dick now for a month. I expect to get one soon from him, as the cars are about coming now again. It seemed for a while that we had almost been cut off from the world. We could get but very little direct news from Virginia. Our people did not suffer as much by the raids as we feared they would have done. I was very glad they did not come through our section of county. It seems though they paid dear for their victory.

          I have little or no news to write. Times are quite quiet down here now. I hope we will get some good news this evening from Richmond and Petersburg. I like my hat, pretty. I had rather not had it lined. The lining makes the brim draw. This is rather a lonesome place altho there are two Batallions of Infantry and other company besides ours. Some ladies about here I am not acquainted with any of them. The mail has just come in, no news from Richmond. Nat is still here he will go down to his section tomorrow. It is still at the place he left it. We do not catch many fish now. We can't fish at night like we could where we were. I was very glad to get my pants, handkerchiefs, portfolio, etc. Nat says he had a very nice time home enjoyed his furlow very much; thinks the Misses Hunts very nice ladies. I suppose Clem Hancock has been to see you all since he reached home.

        Ask Clem why he don't write to me. I thought from the way he talked when he left me he would have written long before now but I suppose he is very much taken up with the ladies. I reckon I must excuse him. Tell him I have had a very good time since he left being a soldier too. I have a slight headache this evening so I will write you a short letter. I want to go out this evening but don't know if I will be able too. Very little found about here. My love to mama and all.

                                                                             Your aff.------ Bro

Submitted by Carol Adams Williams, Great, Great Niece

Richard Collier Price

Richard Collier Price was born in rural Charlotte County Virginia. He lived on the family farm, Locust Grove.The family also owned another farm, Butterwood, together these two farms were roughly 1000 acres. Like many families in 1800s Virginia, they were landowners who owned slaves and raised many crops consisting of corn, hay, soybeans, wheat, and tobacco. On these two farms there were slave cabins and many barns, (some of which stand today), which were used for the crops grown on both farms. They also raised cattle and other animals used for food and clothing. Richard, who was known as Dick by his family and friends was from a large farming family.

Richard Collier Price was born on September 7, 1837 to Nathaniel Daniel Price and Mecca Harvey Price. He had two sisters and seven brothers. Some of his brothers and sisters died at an early age, however, he did have four brothers that, along with him, served in the Civil War. Two of his brothers died during the war. His brother Nathan, who served in the Staunton Hill Artillery, left letters written home to his family. Also in his possession at the end of the war were field orders from Major General Sherman and General Johnston. (These were found in 1993 in the Price family home, in which my mother still resides in today). Before my great-grandfather had enlisted he had been diagnosed with tuberculosis and was only given six months to live. My great-grandfather enlisted January 28, 1863 as a Pvt. in Company C 1^st Virginia Infantry (Williams Rifles). He was in Kempers Brigade, Pickets Division, Longstreets Corps in July 1863. Pickets Division was ordered to advance with Kempers Brigade on the right flank towards the infamous cops of trees at the Union center. Based on the nature of his wounds and the fact that he was captured, he was probably wounded between 50 and 75 yards of the stonewall. He appears on a roll of prisoners in hospital who were captured July 3, 1863 and later exchanged. He rejoined his unit after several months of covalence and was promoted to Corporal in August 1864. He took the Oath of Allegiance with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia July 1, 1865. On the form, below his signature, he wrote regarding the phrase I take this oath freely and voluntarily, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever saying no sir, I do not, but only say so. After serving in the war he journeyed home and began life on the farm again.

Seven years after the war my great-grandfather married Euthretia Early of Bedford, Virginia. They had four children William H. Price , Charles Early (who is my grandfather), and twin girls, Estelle and Susie. In 1888 my great-grandmother died leaving behind her husband and children. William was only fourteen at the time, my grandfather a few years younger and my twin great-aunts only six years of age. I commend my great-grandfather for raising four children on his own. Back then that was not an easy task and even then he was able to send three out of four to college to further their education. William, the oldest, attended Hampton Sydney College in Farmville, Virginia and the girls went to an all girls finishing school. Estelle went on to forward her education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and later taught classes there. She also taught at Madisonville School, which was recently torn down. My grandfather stayed home and made his living on the family farm.

Richard Collier Price attended the fifty- year reunion at Gettysburg and lived until March 1925, disproving the terminal diagnosis given over sixty years before.

I am very honored and very proud to have shared my families history, and to have known so much about what their lives were like. I am proud of where I come from and what my family stood for, since that is a part of me, a part of my Southern heritage.

Submitted by Carol Adams Williams, Great Granddaughter

John Randolph Ramsey

John Randolph Ramsey was born September 22, 1835 in Charlotte County Virginia. He was the son of Samuel B. Ramsey born 1809 in charlotte County Virginia, who married Sarah Cunningham September 19, 1831. John was the first-born child and had three brothers and three sisters.

He married Mollie Layne May 4, 1861 in Charlotte County Virginia. John and Mollie had 11 children that lived and 3 that died as infants. All of their children are buried at Midway Baptist Church, Charlotte County with the exception of one buried at Falling River. John and Mollie had 44 Grand Children. Mollie was the daughter of Hilley and Mary Layne

John enlisted as a Private on September 23, 1861 at the age of 26 in Charlotte County, Virginia. Head stone on his grave at Midway Baptist Church lists Paris Co VA Arty, CSA.

John also had a brother Samuel Ramsey who enlisted July 18, 1861 in Charlotte County who was present and deserted in 1862, present again in 1863, was a POW at Hatcher’s Run March 1865, was admitted Campbell’s Hospital, Washington DC April 7, 1865 and died May 6, 1865 of gunshot wound of right thigh and left leg.

Submitted by: Frances Ramsey Lewis, Great Grand Daughter

ARCHER LEWIS REYNOLDS

Archer Lewis Reynolds was born in Buckingham County on December 30, 1842, the son of Obadiah and Lucy Bell Reynolds.

Archer enlisted at Appomattox County on June 5^th, 1861 in the 44^th Virginia Infantry. He was later transferred to Co. A., 20^th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery. He served the 20^th until April 6, 1865 when he was taken prisoner at Burkeville, Virginia and sent to Point Lookout Prisoner of War Camp in Maryland. He took the oath and was released June 19^th, 1865. Archer received a pension at Arvonia, Buckingham County on April 9^th, 1901.

Archer married Helen Virginia Booker on February 5^th, 1868. They had eight children: Ada, Robert, Richard, Lena, William, Lula, Archer and Susie. He died on April 20^th, 1919 and is buried in a small family cemetery in Buckingham County, Virginia near Curdsville, Virginia.

Ancestor of Joan Reynolds Butler and Charles L. Crews.

Submitted by Joan Reynolds Butler.

Silas Whitehead Stinnett

Silas Whitehead Stinnett was born in Amherst County, Virginia on 28 Jan 1848 to Taliaferro and Mary (Polly) Ann Burley Stinnett. In the 1860 Census, Silas is shown as being 12 years old, attending School, and living with his Parents in Amherst. On 12 Apr 1861, when Silas was 13 years old, the first shot was fired upon Fort Sumpter and the War Between the States began. Just a few days later on April 15^th, two of his brothers, John (Jack) R. and Paulus P. Stinnett, enlisted in Company H, 19^th Virginia Infantry Regiment, also known as the Southern Rights Guards. They were followed by a third Brother, William Henry, on 01 Mar 1862. Silas enlisted at the young age of 16 in March or May 1864. By that time, John had already received a Disability Discharge due to illness. Paulus had been wounded twice, held a Prisoner of War at Point Lookout, and had been released to return to duty. William had been wounded once, but would be wounded again before the end of the War. We do not know why Silas decided to join the War Between the States. Possibly to seek justice for what had happened to his Brothers, or simply to protect his beloved homeland. We can be certain that it was not due to slavery; for Silas, his Father, Taliaferro, nor his Grandfather, Charles, had ever owned slaves. During his Service, Silas was a part of Longstreet’s Corps, in Pickett’s Division, and was involved in at least 29 engagements of action. He was wounded on 29 Mar 1865 at Hatcher’s Run, Virginia. His Military Service Record reports this as a fracture of cranium from gunshot, and testimony given on his Pension Request noted that he was wounded in the knee or leg. However, it may have been an injury to his foot. His Nephew, Page Calvin Stinnett, shared the memory that Page’s older Brothers, Carroll and Milton, used to kid Silas that during the War he was wounded in the heel running from the Yankees. Silas would respond by saying, “Great King, Boys! No, I wasn’t running…I cut’em down!” Silas was always proud of his Service to the Confederacy. He used to love to sing old camp songs like “Dixie” and “Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground.” After the War, it is believed that he joined the John T. Powell Camp of Confederate Veterans in Nelson County. Silas filed for pension in October 1911 and was paid the sum of thirty-six dollars ($36.00) in September 1912. When he was asked to verify Silas’ service; E. B. McGinnis wrote, “Mr. Stinnett was very young when he entered the Confederate Service some time in 1864 and was so small that we called him Babe, but he was a gallant Soldier and always ready for any duty imposed upon him, and now, in his old and crippled condition, is as much entitled to a Pension as any man in Service.” In the 1870 Census, Silas, age 23, was a Farm Hand living in Temperance, Amherst County, with his Uncle, Uriah Burley. On 11 Jan 1877 in Arrington, Nelson County, Silas married Anne (Annie) Margaret Wood, Daughter of Matthew H. and Mary Jane Hunter Wood. They were blessed with their first Child, Mary Blanch(e), 09 Oct 1878. The 1880 Census shows Silas, age 31, as a Farmer living with his Family in Temperance. During the next 10 years, Silas and Annie were blessed with 7 more Children: Nellie Gray, 08 Oct 1881; Matthew Dillard, 02 Mar 1883; Emma Rose, 30 Jun 1886; Houston Gordon, 27 Jan 1889; Laurabelle Taylor, 12 Jan 1892; Jesse Wood, 23 Aug 1894; and Ruby Roberta, 21 Aug 1897. In the 1900 Census, Silas, age 52, was a Farmer living with his Family in Lovingston, Nelson County. It was also noted that he could read and write. Still living in Lovingston in the 1910 Census, Silas, age 63, was recorded as a Farmer and a survivor of the Confederate Army. Mary, Nellie, and Rose had married and no longer lived at home. Matthew had passed away. By the 1920 Census, Silas, age 72, was a Widow living with his Daughter, Mary, and her Family in Lynchburg. In the 1930 Census, Silas, age 84, was living with his Daughter, Rose, and her Family in Lovingston. His Granddaughter, Margaret Cook Fulton, remembers that Silas had fell and broke his hip confining him to bed, and that Rose was taking care of him. Margaret went to visit him there when she was about 9 years old, and Silas called her and her Sisters his “Yankee Gals.” Silas loved Children. His Nephew, Page, recalls that when Silas would come to visit, he would take Page on his lap and tell him stories about "Old Billy". He used his index finger to represent old Billy and every now and then would punch Page in the ribs with his index finger (old Billy). Page would giggle, much to the delight of his Uncle Silas. Silas was a very religious man, and his home Church was Shipman Baptist Church. He also used to attend services with the Harlow Family at Fairmont Church in Variety Mills (just below Arrington). The preacher there would always ask Silas to say a prayer during the service. His Great-Grandson, Randy Harlow shared how his Grandmother Rose talked about Silas being Superintendent of Sunday School at Mt Moriah Baptist Church in Amherst County. In recent years, Randy was told that one of Silas’ cousins invited him to spend a few days with him during the winter. The cousin picked Silas up and on the way home stopped off at a house where he said he had left an axe to be sharpened. Silas waited patiently in the cold for his cousin. Apparently, this was the house of a bootlegger and Silas was wise to that fact. When his cousin finally returned to the car, Silas remarked, "You know. I wouldn't mind a taste of that axe myself." So, he was very religious and very witty. His Grandson, Jack Henry Harlow, says that Silas was a good man and got along well with everyone...except for Gypsies. Jack can remember being told a story of when Silas was visiting Julian Bowling in Colleen. He was sitting in a chair cutting weeds with his homemade corn knife when some Gypsies came up to him promising that they could give him good luck. He said that he had all of the luck that he needed. They continued to try to talk him into giving them some money so it they could bring him good luck, and he ran them off with his corn knife. Great-Grandson, William Robert Farrar, Sr. was only four when Silas died, but he remembers being led to his bedside before he passed and that he was fascinated by Silas’ waist-length beard. Silas passed away 07 Jun 1938 in Arrington, at age 90. Even though he has been gone for 68 years, neither Silas nor his honorable Service to the Confederacy has been forgotten. It is up to you, Descendants and Children of the Confederacy to pass on his proud History and make sure that he never is forgotten.

Written By: Great-Great-Great-Grand Niece, Laurie Goodman Lenz

Peter Lee Stratton

Peter Lee Stratton, born April 24, 1827 in Fluvanna Co, died January 21, 1910 in the Stonewall area of Appomattox Co., Va. His wife was Elizabeth (Betty) Woodson LeGrand, was born in 1832 in a house overlooking Stonewall Creek in what was part of Campbell Co. at the time later to become Appomattox Co.. when it was formed in 1845. Betty died October 5, 1911 in Appomattox. Peter was a carpenter and farmer and with his bride, Betty, had nine children, seven of which lived to be adults. They bought a farm in 1859 in what was known as Spanish Oaks, near Stonewall, where they raised their family and are buried at Hebron Baptist Church.

Corporal Peter Stratton fought in the War Between the States, first serving in Capt. Robert R. Kyle's Co. Va. Heavy Arty. and later under Capt. James F. Chalmer's Co. (Co. A, 19th Bn, Va. Heavy Arty.

Peter was present during the Battle of Appomattox and the Surrender in April of 1865. Following the Surrender, the Yankee soldiers were to collect all of the good horses and take them up north. Even though officers were allowed to keep their mounts, Peter asked if he would be allowed to keep his horse being told that if he could catch one loose he could have it. As luck would have it he somehow "found" a horse which had "become" untied and then he caught it, after which he drove a nail into the horse' hoof causing him to limp.

The Shearer brothers, both officers who lived two farms past Peter and Betty's home, as they were leaving the village of Appomattox Court House, were showing their "Paroled Prisoner's Pass" to the guards who allowed them to go on their way. Peter, riding his limping horse, came up to the guards, held up his papers and said "Mine, says the same as theirs" and he never slowed up but kept on riding past.

After removing the nail, Peter rode his horse home just in time to plant the spring crops. That year he said he raised the largest crop of com ever.

submitted by G. Daniel Stratton