Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/995

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CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.
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transaction of the army. After the dispersal of the troops he went to Washington, not quite penniless, as he had ten cents as a reserve fund with which to embark in a civil career, but with a brave heart, which was quite as effectual as capital. He made his home at once at Georgetown, and has remained there, with the exception of a year at Baltimore, and has prospered in his affairs. His home happiness was insured by his marriage, March 13, 1866, to Margaret W., daughter of the late Archer A. LeGrand, of Appomattox county, Va., and they have eight children: W. Hunter; Caroline M., wife of J. W. Marshall, of Charlottesville, Va.; Mahlon L., Marshall, Robert L., Louisa V., Susan B. and Ira C.

William Dade Hempstone, clerk of the courts of Loudoun county, is a native of Leesburg, born December 18, 1847. At the outbreak of the war, in 1861, he was but a childish observer of the thrilling events which opened the long and bitter struggle of which Virginia was the battle ground, but, before he had completed his sixteenth year, his eagerness to participate in the war was rewarded by appointment as special courier to the inspector-general of the army of Northern Virginia. He enlisted for this service on September 12, 1864, and served in that capacity during the remainder of the war, surrendering with the army at Appomattox Court House in April, 1865. He then returned to Leesburg, and, after some time spent in agricultural pursuits, turned his attention to the law, in which he perfected himself and then practiced the profession for a number of years. On February 18, 1894, he was appointed clerk of the courts of Loudoun county, a position he has subsequently filled with much ability and to the satisfaction of the bar and the public. His youthful but gallant service qualifies him for membership in the Clinton Hatcher camp of United Confederate Veterans, where he is a valued comrade. In 1893 Mr. Hempstone was married to Elsie Chichester Harrison, a daughter of William B. Harrison, of Leesburg, who was the constructor of Fort Harrison in the line of Richmond defenses north of the river James, considered the strongest fortification in that long line, which for so many months defied the attacks of the Federal army. Mr. Hempstone and wife have two children, a boy and a girl.

Captain Edward M. Henry, a citizen of Norfolk, Va., where he occupies a leading position in the community, achieved a gallant record as a cavalry officer in the army of Northern Virginia, and has since the close of the war period been active in the cause of the Confederate soldier. He entered the service in the spring of 1861. being then about twenty-nine years of age, as a private in the Stafford rangers, a cavalry company which was organized in 1860, under Capt. James Ashby, a brother of the lamented Turner Ashby. The first duty of this command was intended to be guard service at the execution of John Brown, the raider at Harper's Ferry, but at that event it was detailed by Governor Wise on other service. Subsequently, on account of the threatening condition of affairs, the company was maintained, and was called out by the State on April 21. 1861. It was then under command of Capt. Thomas Waller, and was mustered into the Confederate army as Company A of the Ninth Virginia cavalry. In this command Private Henry served gallantly throughout the war, being promoted for bravery and meritorious conduct through the lieu-