William C. Nash, a well-known merchant of Portsmouth, Va., was born at that city, January 24, 1846, the son of John and Ann L. Nash. He was reared and educated at Portsmouth. At the outbreak of the war of the Confederacy his youth and the disinclination of his parents to permit him to attempt the fatigues and dangers of a soldier's life at that age, prevented his enlistment in the Virginia forces, although he was very anxious to go to the front. He finally was able, in the spring of 1864, to make his way through the Federal lines about Portsmouth, and, in company with R. L. Herbert and William Morris, he went to Chuckatuck, across the Nansemond river, and thence to the Blackwater, where he separated from his companions, and proceeded to Rock Wharf on the James river. At this point his half-brother, Lieut. Joseph R. Woodley, was stationed, in command of the signal corps, in which Mr. Nash enlisted and served there during the remainder of the war, engaged in the collection of information regarding the movement of the Federal forces in that vicinity, which was regularly transmitted to General Lee. In this important and valuable service he frequently encountered dangers, and had many interesting experiences, as may well be imagined. The faithfulness and activity of these scouts on the Potomac were of great service to the Confederate cause at that period. After the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia, he accompanied Lieutenant Woodley and the rest of their party to Suffolk, where they surrendered and were paroled at Norfolk, not considering it of any avail to attempt to join the army under Johnston. Since the war Mr. Nash has resided at Portsmouth, where after many years' experience in the mercantile establishment conducted by his father and elder brother, both now deceased, he embarked in business under the firm name of Phillips & Nash. This partnership lasted for a period of eight years, after which Mr. Nash bought out his partner's interest. During the past fifteen years he has successfully conducted one of the leading dry goods establishments at Portsmouth, and as a business man and enterprising citizen enjoys the highest esteem. For five years after the war he served in the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, and was a member of the detachment that won a flag in competitive drill at Old Point Comfort. He is a member of the city fire department, and is prominent in politics as a member of the local executive committee of the Democratic party, twice being elected treasurer of the committee. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Honor, the Royal Arcanum and the Home Circle. On January 24, 1876, he was married at Buffalo, N. Y., to Blanche C. Place, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Lieut. Charles Place, of the United States navy, who lost his life by accidental injury in a foreign land prior to the Confederate war. They have two children living: Adelia and Mary. A daughter Jennie is deceased.
James M. Neal, of Danville, in his youth a gallant soldier and courier to Gen. George E. Pickett, was born at Danville, January 3, 1845. He is the son of Thomas D. Neal, born in 1812, a prominent citizen of Danville and the pioneer of the tobacco trade at that city, who married Louisiana Franklin, daughter of Col. Samuel Carter, a soldier of the war of 1812 and high-sheriff of Halifax county. Ten of the fourteen children of these parents are yet
