a native of Fauquier county, born in 1828, but passed his youth in Orange county, and in 1848 removed to Lexington, where he held the position of quartermaster of the Virginia military institute and later was treasurer of that institution until 1858. He then, having prepared himself for the legal profession, was admitted to the bar at Lexington, where he continued in the practice until the military organization of the State was put upon a war footing in 1861. In April of that year he was called to Richmond by Governor Letcher to take the position of aide-de-camp to the governor, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was busily occupied with the duties of this office, practically acting as secretary to the governor, during the exciting days of 1861 and continued in the position until late in the summer of 1862, when he was assigned to the staff of Brigadier-General Echols as assistant adjutant-general. His military services in the field were mainly rendered in western Virginia, where he participated in the battles of Fayette Court House, Droop Mountain and New Market. After serving with General Echols until the fall of 1864, he was ordered to Richmond to assist General Kemper in the organization of the State reserves, a duty which occupied him until the evacuation of the capital. He then accompanied Kemper and his command to Danville, where the men were disbanded, and Colonel Catlett made his way to Staunton to resume the civil profession which had been interrupted for four years in obedience to the call of his State. He soon afterward formed a law partnership with General Echols and H. M. Bell, which was continued with much professional success and mutual pleasure until eighteen years later, when General Echols removed to Kentucky. Colonel Catlett continued the practice of his profession, and the law partnership with Mr. Bell, and other business interests, until his death, March 23, 1898.
Edward A. Catlin, of Richmond, now prominent in the financial circles of that city, performed honorable service in the army of Northern Virginia as a civil engineer and in active conflict upon the field. He was born at Richmond October 1, 1846, but passed his childhood and youth, until 1860, in Hanover county. Returning to the city in the latter year to attend school, he witnessed the stirring events of 1861 and longed to participate in the brave deeds and sacrifices of his Virginia brothers. The opportunity arrived in April, 1862, when, though he had not reached his sixteenth birthday, he entered the service as a member of the engineering corps. He remained in this work for one year and then, on account of his meritorious service, was tendered a commission as first lieutenant and ordered to proceed through the tidewater counties of Virginia and prepare a topographical map of the region. At this time, however, his father became prostrated with a dangerous illness and young Catlin was compelled to resign and devote himself to the care of his father during the following year. He then, in the summer of 1864, enlisted as a private in the Fourth Virginia cavalry and shared the actions and campaigns of that dashing command until the close of the struggle. During his service he participated in a number of battles which are famous in the records of the war, including the action at Drewry's Bluff, at Yellow Tavern (as a volunteer), in several of the engagements about Richmond during the siege, and was with Early in the Valley campaign of 1864, fighting at Five Forks and other places. At Appomattox he was with his regiment
