Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/107

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UNDER THE CONFEDERACY


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the Rappahannock river ; promoted to briga- dier-general and commanded a brigade in Longstreet's division at the opening of the Seven Days fighting, and at Gaines' Mills was severely wounded and had to leave the field. In 1862, promoted to major-general, ho commanded a division under Longstreet. He held Lee's center at Fredericksburg. His famous charge at Gettysburg became a glowing theme for the poet, and an inspir- ing scene for the painter. He was given command of the department of North Caro- lina, September 23, 1863. On May 18, 1864, he saved Petersburg from capture, person- ally leading the troops that took the Fed- eral works, and turning its guns on the re- treating foe. His division received the full force of the Federal attack at Five Forks. April I, 1865. Appointed to West Point by Lincoln, then a congressman. Gen. Pickett declined the United States marshalship tendered him by President Grant, and en- gaged in the life insurance business. He died in Norfolk, July 30, 1875, ^"d was bur- ied at Hollywood, Richmond.

Posey, Carnot, who was one of the bril- liant and gallant soldiers of the Confederate army, attaining the rank of general, was born in Wilkinson, Mississippi, August 5, 1818; attended the schools of his native place, and in 1836 entered the University of Virginia, there pursued a law course, and subsequently engaged in the active practice of his profession ; shortly afterward he en- tered the Mexican war as lieutenant of vol- unteers, fought under Col. Jeflferson Davis, and was wounded at Buena Vista ; at the outbreak of the civil war he joined the Con- federacy as colonel of the Sixteenth Miss- i.^sippi Regiment, and on November i, 1862,


was made a brigadier-general, his brigade consisting of four Mississippi regiments, which formed a part of Anderson's division of A. P. Hill's famous corps of the Army of Northern Virginia ; in the fight of Bristow Station he was mortally wounded, October 14. 1863, and died November 13, 1863, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Price, Sterling, was born in Prince Ed- ward county, Virginia, September 14, 1809, son of Pugh W. Price. He attended Hamp- den-Sidney College, studied law under Chancellor Creed Taylor at Prince Edward Court House ; and with his father's family settled in Keysville, Charlton county, Mis- souri, in 1831. He was a Democratic mem- ber of the legislature in 1836, 1840 and 1842 and at each session was chosen speaker. In 1844, he was elected to congress, and when the war with Mexico broke out, he raised a regiment, and had an independent com- mand in New Mexico and Chichuahua. He gained victories over greatly superior forces at Cancada, Lambenda and Taos. President Tyler made him a brigadier-general. March- ing next agamst Chihuahua, he captured an army double his own. This was really the last battle of the war. At the next state election he was elected governor of Mis- souri. He was president of the Missouri state convention, and opposed secession, but when Capt. Lyon captured Camp Jackson, held by the state militia. Price gave his support to Gov. Jackson. His was the diffi- cult task of organizing and disciplining the militia and attempting to win battle with half armed men against superior numbers well equipped. He gathered 7,000 men ai Carthage, Missouri, and on August 10, 1861, joined by Gens. Ben. McCulloch and N. B.