Taken in Lexington, Virginia in October 1870, this photograph shows the funeral procession of Robert E. Lee, who had served as president of Washington College. William George White, whose name appears on the canopy at left, was the husband of my third great aunt and was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral.
View attachment 97418
View attachment 97419
William George White. His son, William Houston White, served with the Rockbridge Artillery
Rockbridge Virginia Artillery
Cedar Mountain, VA after action report:
No. 49.
Report of Capt. William T. Poague, Rockbridge (Va.) Artillery.
CAMP NEAR GORDONSVILLE, VA.,
August 14, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken
by the battery under my command in the battle of the 9th instant at Cedar
Run:
About 3 p. m., by order of Maj. Andrews, two Parrott guns were taken to
the front along the road leading to Culpeper Court-House. These, along with
Capt. Carpenter;s Parrott piece, were, by direction of Maj. Andrews,
posted in the road so as to enfilade the enemy's batteries, then engaging our
batteries on the right. The caissons were left
behind some distance, there not being room to station them in rear of their
pieces. After firing about half an hour one of my pieces, becoming
unserviceable from enlargement of the vent, was sent tot he rear. The other
continued its fire until the enemy's skirmishers approached within 200 yards,
and having exhausted the ammunition in the limber-chest it was ordered back
to its caisson and the chest refilled. By the direction of Gen. Jackson it
was afterward posted in the field on the right of the road. May 12-pounder
was also brought forward. In conjunction with Capt. Carpenter's gun and
one of Lieut. Marks' a rapid fire was opened on the enemy's batteries,
by which several of their guns were silenced and compelled to leave the
field. The enemy's infantry were now advancing through the corn field in
front, and I felt confident we would be able to drive them back, having been
re-enforced by a battery of four guns. At this juncture our own infantry
advanced, surrounding the guns, thus causing them to cease firing. No
position could be gotten afterward without danger to our own infantry.
About 9 p. m. the battery joined the brigade, and that night slept on the
battle-field.
In this engagement I am happy to report no serious casualties-only 1 man
wounded, Robert Vanpelt, slightly in left arm. Several others received very
slight bruises from pieces of shell.
It gives me pleasure to state that the conduct of all the men and officers,
without exception, was most admirable. At the most trying moment, when
our gallant and esteemed brigade commander and the chief of artillery were
cut down in their midst, they retained their accustomed self-possession and
nobly stood by their pieces. Even those two or three who in a former
engagement behaved in an unsoldierly manner now acted well and bravely,
as if determined to wipe out all traces of their previous conduct.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. T. POAGUE,
Capt. Rockbridge Artillery.
Capt. J. H. FULTON,
A. A. A. G., First Brigade, Valley District.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 213-16 OPERATIONS IN N. V., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
[Series I. Vol. 12. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 16.]
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Antietam after battle report:
Report of Capt. W. T Poague, commanding Rockbridge Artillery,
of the battle of Sharpsburg.
SEPTEMBER 22, 1862.
Lieut.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
operations of the battery under my command in the battle of Sharpsburg:
On the evening of the 16th, the battery--consisting of three guns, two
10-pounder Parrotts and one napoleon, the 6-pounder being on detached
service--by order of Gen. Jackson, was placed in position on or near the
extreme left of our lines, supported by the First and Second Brigades In a
few minutes a battery of the enemy opened fire at about 500 or 600 yards
on one of our batteries on the right of the road, which had been engaged in
shelling the woods occupied by the enemy's infantry. Upon this battery, fire
was opened, and in about twenty minutes it was silenced, our own battery
on the right of the road in the mean time having retired. In this affair we
were assisted by one gun of some unknown battery.
About 8 p. m. I was ordered to withdraw my guns a short distance in rear
of the infantry, and to resume the same position by daylight next morning.
At my request my two Parrott pieces were replaced next morning by two
howitzers from Capt. Raine's battery. Owing to the nature of the ground,
the range was short, and I wished to economize my Parrott ammunition.
Shortly after daylight on the morning of the 17th, the enemy's infantry
commenced advancing. The 12-pounder, under Lieut. [William M.]
Brown, in conjunction with Capt. Raine's howitzers, opened upon them,
and after firing several rounds, and finding themselves within range of the
enemy's skirmishers, retired to a position in rear of our infantry, from which
they fired until compelled by the musketry of the enemy again to fall back;
and there being no other position from which enemy could be reached, they
joined their respective batteries. The place occupied by my battery during the
night becoming exposed
to a cross-fire of the enemy's heavy guns on our right, I moved the battery
back and took position on a ridge, so as to command the woods in case our
infantry should be compelled to abandon it. Having reported to Gen.
Jackson, I was directed to make a reconnaissance along the road to see
position occupied by the First and Second Brigades during the night. I found
no infantry here, but a gap of some 200 or 300 yards in our line. Two guns
were immediately put in position and fire opened directly to the front on the
enemy's line of battle; but soon our infantry on the right fell back, and the
enemy advancing along our flank, I withdrew my guns, having no support
whatever. Subsequently, when the enemy was forced to fall back, I was
directed to report to Gen. Stuart on the extreme left, and with other guns
kept up an advancing fire on the retreating enemy until he found shelter
under a number of reserve batteries.
Here several of my men were wounded, and a large proportion of the horses
of two of the pieces killed or wounded, rendering the pieces unserviceable.
They were at once sent to the rear.
Later in the day I was ordered, with my only remaining piece, to report to
Gen. Stuart on the left. Along with six or eight other guns, under the
direction of major Pelham, an attempt was made to dislodge the enemy's
batteries, but failed completely, being silenced in fifteen or twenty minutes
by a most terrific fire from a number of the enemy's batteries.
The following list exhibits the casualties sustained by the battery:
1 officer and 5 privates wounded, 14 horses killed and wounded,
and 3 limber-chests and 1 wheel badly damaged.
All the men and officers acquitted themselves most admirably. I cannot avoid
entertaining a feeling of pride in having the command of such men.
Very respectfully, &c.,
WM. T. POAGUE,
Capt. Rockbridge Artillery.
Lieut. THOMAS,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brigade, First Division.
Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27
.....................................................................................................................
- The Virginia Regimental Histories Series
William Houston White
Residence was not listed; a 17 year-old Student.
Enlisted on 4/16/1864 at Lexington, VA as a Private.
On 4/16/1864 he mustered into "Junior Res" Co. VA College Co
On 2/15/1865 he mustered into "1st" Co.Virginia Rockbridge 1st Light Artillery
He was Surrendered on 4/9/1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA
He was described at enlistment as:
5' 11", fair complexion, hazel eyes, light hair
Other Information:
born 9/15/1846 in Lexington, VA
died 9/20/1930 in Lexington, VA
Buried: Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, Lexington, VA
(Attended Washington College 1863-64, 1865-66. Lawyer,
Dry Goods Merchant, Norfork, VA. postwar)
Bringing the