Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-12-24
Death of Gen. Henry Kyd Douglas.

his home in Hagerstown. His health
had been gradually failing for some
years. Last spring he became seri-
ously i'll, and death finally came as
welcome relief. He Is survived by
sister, Mrs Mamie Beckenbaugh, who
made her home with him brother,
John Douglas, who lives in Missouri;
and by niece and nephew, Mrs.
Henry Evan Cotton and John Kyd
Beckenbaugb, of Hagerstown. Gen
eral Douglas was never married.
General Douglas was born in Shop
herdstown September 90, 1888. His
father was Rev. Robert Douglas, pas
tor of the Reformed Church of this
place, and a native of Scotland, while
his mother was a native Of Ireland.
He graduated from Franklin and
Marshall College at Lancaster, aud
afterward studied law in Lexington,
| Va. In 1860 he was admitted to the
bar in Charles Town. He went to St.
Louis to practice law, but when the
| Civil War broke out he fastened back
to Shepherdstown and was among the
first to enlist in Company B, Second
Virginia Infantry, which made such a
splendid record as a part Of the Stone
wall Brigade. He enlisted as a pri-
vate, but just before the battle Of
Bull Run was made orderly sergeant
of the company. He became second
lieutenant, then first lieutenant, and
finally captain of the company, and
was a trusted officer on the staff Of
General StonewaIl Jackson. From the
first he was recognized as brave and
daring soldier, and in March, 1862,
he was detailed by General jackson
to make the famous ride of lO3 miles
to carry dispatches to General EwelI,
in order that the latter forces might
be brought at once to join Jackson,
thus forming the combination that de-
teated Milroy and drove Banks from
the Valley.
Young Douglas began his ride lit
tie before shutdown, and horses We're
changed five times during the journey,
all of which was made through the
rain and mud and in the midst Of in
tense darkness. He started from the
Valley at Mount jackson, passed south
over Massanautton mountain, and
from there on the Elkton road south
over the Blue Ridge mountains to
Standardsville, thence TO Orange
Courthouse, from there TO Elizabeth
City and Culpeper Courthouse, and at
the latter point took northeasteIly
direction to Brandy Station, and then
to General Ewell's headquarters, two
miles beyond. On his return from
this ride lie was made aid-de.camp
and inspector-generaI by General
jackson, with whom he served III ev-
cry battle until that famous General
fell at Charlottesville In the same
engagement Douglas was slightly
wounded He was afterward adJu-
taut-genersl and chief OF staff Of Maj.
Gen Edward JUhueon. Mai Gen. Juo.
B Gordon, Lieut. Gen. Jubsl Early
and Generals Ramseur, Pegram and
Walker.
General Douglas was wounded six
times during the war, seriously at
Gettysburg. He was captured and
kept prisoner for nine months at
Johuston's Island, but was atterward
exchanged. In 1865 he was appoint
ed to command the light brigade for
merly commanded by General Early,
A. P. Hill, Extra Billy" Smith and
James A. Walker. He surrendered
with General Lee at APpomattoI
After the surrender General Douglas
returned to Shepherdstown, but was
not permitted to cross the Potomac
Two weeks afterward he was arrested
and put in prison, his offence being
that he had his photograph, in Con-
federate uniform, taken with lady.
He was put In close confinement at
Martinsburg in the basement Of a
church, and for the taking Of the pic
ture in uniform was tried by the mill
tary commission and sentenced to con-
inement in prison at Fort Delaware
for three. months. He was hauled
around from place to place, aud finally
served out his term. He practiced
law in Winchester for two wears and
then went to Hagerstowu, where he
resided until his death
General Douglas was man Of
striking personality. Tall and slen-
der, straight as an arrow, with
piercing eye and clearcut features, he
would attract attention in any gather
ing. He always dressed faultlessly
He was one Of the most eloquent men
we have ever heard. HIS voice was
musical and clear and he charmed ev-
cry audience before whom he spoke.
He was Democrat in politics and his
speeches were always in demand. He
also wrote many sketches for leading
magazines
TIE General was always of an ell
thusiastic military spirit, and in peace,
as in war, he was a welcome figure in
any organization During the Civil
War be served on the staff Of six Con-
tolerate generals aud since then on
the staff Of six Union generals He
organized the Douglas Guards Of Ha-
gerstown, and also assisted in the or
ganizetion of Camp Henry Kyd Doug
las, United Sons Of Confederate Vet
Grams, Of Shepherdstown, both orgaui-
cations being named for him.
General Douglas was not successful
in politics. He ran for the State Sen