Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1338

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CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.

added to Stuart's report: "Colonel White is entitled to great praise for his boldness and good management." During the remainder of 1863 he was engaged in daring and brilliant operations in the valley and West Virginia, sometimes in connection with Mosby, the two being given equal prominence in the Federal reports. Attached to Rosser's brigade, he fought at the battle of Parker's Store in November, in which Rosser reported that "the dashing White" charged the enemy's flank and carried everything before him. Throughout the remainder of the war he participated in the operations of Rosser's brigade in important battles and also continued his brilliant forays on the border. He crossed the Potomac near Poolesville, Md., in the latter part of July, 1864, made a night attack upon the Sixth New York near Harper's Ferry in January, 1865, and up to the close of the war his force and Mosby's were operating together in Loudoun county and the valley. During this service he was wounded several times, twice seriously. Two years after the close of hostilities Colonel White was elected sheriff of his county, but after serving three years was deposed by the military government. Subsequently he was occupied in shipping grain and in agriculture until 1892, when he was elected president of the People's national bank at Leesburg. He gives his time to the duties of this position, the care of a dairy farm of over four hundred acres in Fairfax county, and the functions of a minister of the old school Baptist church, in that capacity filling seven appointments. He is also the popular commander of Clinton Hatcher camp, United Confederate Veterans. Though often importuned to become a candidate for Congress he has declined all political preferment. In December, 1857, he was married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Gott. Colonel White treasures a number of letters from the distinguished leaders of the Confederacy, among which the following may be copied here:

Headquarters Valley District.

November 15, 1862.

Major: The beautiful sword with which you have so kindly presented me, and also the other much-prized presents, have been received from Lieutenant Marlow of your distinguished command. Please accept my thanks for them. I have watched with great interest your brilliant exploits. Your men may well feel proud of having such a leader. Press on in your successful career. Let your men know that their comrades who are maltreated at Fort McHenry are not forgotten. I deem it a solemn duty to protect, as far as God enables me, every soldier of my command. I regret being driven to retaliation, but the enemy from time to time have been warned against their inhumanity. I have directed three Federal prisoners of the rank of captain to be detained at Staunton. I intend to have this outrage of which you complain thoroughly investigated, and not only see that the two men of your company but also the one belonging to Captain Ball's are exchanged, and also that indemnification is made for any wrong which they may have suffered.
With high esteem, I am. Major,

Very truly your friend,

T. J. Jackson, Lieutenant-General.

Maj. E. V. White.