Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/342

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298


VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY


strvicc, and being jiromoted captain and then major, was put in command at Camp Lcc, near Hague, on the lower Potomac, where his intelligence and excellent judg- ment were of much value. Subsequently he .ser\ed under Col. W. 11. l\ Lee, in the Ninth Cavalry Regiment until Lee was pro- moted brigadier-general, w'hen he was ad- vanced to the rank of colonel and given com- mand of the regiment. In December, 1862, he attracted attention and much favorable comment by a bold expedition into Rappa- hannock county, in which the Federal gar- rison at Leeds was captured, without loss. On A])ril ifi, 1863, he won the praise of J. E. B. Stuart for his heroic service in meeting and repelling the threatened raid of Stone- man's cavalry division, and during the re- newed movement by Stoneman at the close of the month, he was for a week in almost constant fighting, his regiment everywhere behaving valorously and capturing many prisoners. At the battle of Fleetwood he led the Ninth in the brilliant charge in which Gen. W. H. F. Lee was wounded and Col. Williams killed. He participated in Stuart's raid through Maryland, fought at Gettys- burg, and rendered faithful service in the cavalry affairs during the return to \'ir- ginia. During the fight at Culpeper Court House he was in command of W. H. F. Lee's brigade. In March, 1864, having been stationed on the Northern Neck, he made a forced march to intercept Dahlgren and his raiders, and a detachment of his regiment, under First Lieutenant James Pollard, Com- pany H, successfully ambushed the Fed- erals, and aided by other detachments cap- tured about one hundred and seventy-five men and killed Dahlgren. The papers found upon Dahlgren's person, revealing a design


to burn Richmond and kill President Davis and cabinet, were forwarded by Col. Beale, through Fitz Lee, to the government. A correspondence with the Federal authorities followed. He participated in command of bis regiment in the campaign from the Rapidan to the James, was distinguished in tlie fighting at Stony creek, and toward Reams' Station in July, capturing two Fed- eial standards : and in August, upon the death of Gen. Chambliss, was given com- mand of the brigade. February 6, 1865, he was promoted brigadier-general, and in this rank he served during the remainder of the struggle. After the war he was elected as a Democrat to the forty-sixth congress and served from February 8, 1879, to March 3, 1S87 ; retired to his home near Hague, West- moreland county, Virginia, and practiced law; died in his home. April 21, 1893.

Taylor, James Barnett, born in England, March 19, 1819; received his early education in New York City ; his parents removed about 1818 to Mecklenburg county. \'irginia. After receiving an academical course, he be- came a Baptist home missionary, and in 1826 was made pastor of a church in Rich- mond, \'irginia. In 1839-40 he was chap- lain of the University of Virginia. Return- ing to Richmond, he Served as a pastor five years, and in 1843. soon after the organi- zation of the Southern Baptist convention, became its corresponding secretary, which office he filled until within a few weeks of his death, travelling and preaching con- stantly throughout the South. He was edi- tor of the "Religious Herald," and subse- quently of the "Southern Baptist Missionary Journal." and the "Home and Foreign Jour- nal." both of which he founded. During the