Sixteenth infantry regiment and, in June, 1862, after being started to the support of Jackson in the valley, was called back to Richmond to participate in the Seven Days' fighting against McClellan. At the battle of Malvern Hill he had in his pocket a picture of his boy baby, which his young wife had sent him, and this checked the course of a bullet so that he was not seriously hurt. Writing home, he asked that the child's name be changed to Malvern Hill, which was done. Mr. Lash continued to serve with his regiment, in Mahone's brigade, sharing the honors it gained at Crampton's Gap and many other fields throughout the war. He was for a great part of the time detached with the sharpshooters of the command. His son, Malvern Hill, above mentioned, now a prominent citizen of Newport News, was born at Cherry Grove, Nansemond county, June 13, 1862. He entered mercantile life at an early age, became a partner in a furniture house at Hampton, in 1886, and, since 1890, has been doing a very successful business in the same line at Newport News. On November 7, 1887, he was married to Flora C. Rauschert, and they have three children, Edward, Annie and Flora.
Major John W. Lawson, of Smithfield, Va., a soldier and surgeon of the army of Northern Virginia, and since the war a member of Congress from the Second district, was born in James City county, September 13, 1837, the son of James S. and Sallie (Hankins) Lawson. Dr. Lawson was reared at Williamsburg and educated at William and Mary college, after which he pursued medical studies in the university of Virginia and the university of New York, with graduation in March, 1861. Returning home, he immediately enlisted in the Confederate service as a private in the Williamsburg light artillery, under Capt. W. R. Garrett, and served in this capacity under General Magruder in the early operations on the peninsula, including the battle of Big Bethel. Later, in the army of General Johnston, he took part in the battles of Lee's Mill, Williamsburg and Seven Pines. After the latter battle he was transferred to the medical department as assistant surgeon and promotion to surgeon followed a few months later, with the rank of major. He was assigned to the Twelfth North Carolina regiment, commanded by Col. Henry Eaton Coleman, and was with this command throughout its many engagements, including the Seven Days' battles, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Falling Waters, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Winchester, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Hanover Junction, Cold Harbor, the Maryland campaign under Early, including the battle of Monocacy and the demonstration before Washington, and continued with his regiment during the long siege of Petersburg and the retreat to Appomattox, where he surrendered. His entire service was in the field, except when he was detailed by General Early to remain upon the battlefield of Winchester to care for the wounded, a work which occupied him three months. After the conclusion of hostilities he practiced medicine for sixteen years in the county of Isle of Wight and then retired from professional life to reside on his farm, "The Rocks," upon the James river. Since 1893 he has made his home at Smithfield. He has rendered distinguished service in public capacities, though not desirous of political honors and invariably declining re-election. Thus he served his county in the house of delegates
