The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-28
,nendcd for promotion. a Recommended
ton from General Pickett, In possession
OF his family, is here given:
Division Headquarters
45.T'F5s4si5 l'itN Cnrnp noar Ouinca's,
Camp ncar Qulnea's,
February il. 1861.

It affords mo much qualification TO
testify to the distinguished services OF
1.,eutenant-C Colonel Henry a. Darlington
of the Eighteenth Virginia volunteers
during OUR present war of Independence.
He has served continuously from I've
commencement to this time except wheP
absent, disabled By wounds received IN
battle and although truly deserving OF
promotion, as Is also tho Colonel with
crs) OF his gallant regiment still has NOT
by the accidents OF the service nor ny
| the promotion OF his colonel received u.
lI had tho honor to command the brigade
10 which his regiment belongs a. year
pa It and have had frequent opportuhiit
F., ties or knowing his efficiency as an Of
ficer and In the control and government
Of his regiment, His GOODNESS and actlV-
! lty at the battle Of Williamsburg was
worthy Of great praise, and especihllS
mentioned him In my report ~ INC pa1 :
tie OF Seven Pines he was very paintuily
wounded while Will, his regiment 'lnoer
one OF tho hottest fires and dangerously
esnosed nos tlons during the war. Hc
Joined Immediately after his conva-
lescence and was again wounded quite
severely at the battle Of second Mana :! s.
sas He has stuck to his regiment rell-
giously, although lie has suffered mucn
from sickness He Is an officer OF much
,nodcsty and merit. think heEls very
deserving of promotion and consc1en-
'''us's s' q, p. PICKETT,
Ma1or-Genoral Commanding Division.
BACK FROM PRISON.
After a captivity OF nearly ten mont N,
Colonel Darlington rejoined his command
on the morning Of the 18th day OF May.
1864 Just after the regiment had entered
upon Beaurcgards celebrated chafse
s,,inor. Buffers Federal forces. and just
M the major commanding had fallen
desperately wounded. At once assum-
ing command, Colonel Darlington con-
tlnued in brilliant style one Of the most
successful charges made during that
bloody campaign, for the battle OF Drew
RVS Bluff was, indeed, one OF the most
holly contested battles Of the war, ana
resulted In a glorious victory for the
Confederacy.
Soon after Inc fight at Drewry's Bluff
Colonel Darlington was sent with his
regiment to rejon Its own (Iiun ton 81
brigade. Their north Of James River, u
had for several months served with
Corses brigade In North Carolina and
around Petersburg. Under tiunton It
had fought at second Cold Hnrbor ana
around Richmond until late In June, when
brigade belonged) was sent to the
trenches around Petersburg and fronting
general Grants army p n, ,-,
For months after, although IN feeble
health, Colonel Darlington with his regl-
ment, stuck nobly to his duty, some
times rcpellirg assaults upon Lees lines;
at all time under fro and exposed to
deadly peril
In August, 1854, Colonel Withers, in cou-
sequence of the wounds received at
Gainess Mil two years before, was re-
tired, and Colonel Darlington was pro-
| NOTED full colonel OF the Eighteenth
I Virginia regiment, General Hunton say
| ing In his order enclosing the promotion
! to Colonel Darlington. that ut was as
well deserved rs it had been long de-
layed." While fronting the enemy about
Petersburg. and notw!thstandirG tho
! difficulties and perils to which 1t was
subjected. the Eighteenth Virginia. under
the efficient management Of Colonel Car
! rington. was largely rerruited. and be-
came again one OF the finest In the ser.
| vice.
In the early spring Of 1866 Grants eve,
increasing army broke the lines OF Lee.
ever decreasing army, and then com
menced that disastrous retreat which
presaged the downfall OF the Confede
racy. At Five Forks at Dinwiddie, &
Farmville, at Sailors Creek and to tn
end at fateful Apponattox. where tn
star OF the Confederacy went down Il
darkness and blood, Darlington with hi
Eighteenth Regiment proudly sustaine'
the splendid reputation which for fou
years they had won through trial. PR
4 walton and bloody carnage.
1 Colonel Darlington fought in twenty
nine t2o) pitched battles and In number
less lesser lights and was never absen
from his post. Of duty except when dis
abled by wounds or a prisoner OF wal
He was greatly beloved by his associate
4 In arms, especially by the men under NJ
command.
After the surrender, Colonel Carving
ton returned to his once beautiful, bll
now desolated, home and to those wh
were left Of those so dear to him. Man
fearful changes had taken place IN an
around his native place. Broken In for
tune, but not In spirit he commence
again the successful practice OF law
Charlotte Courthouse. Va. greatly aldln
his people by his wise and conservat!V
course and advice as they struggle
through the horrors OF the so-called "day
OF reconstrLctic.
CLERK OF COURT.
Il IN lhiU ColollSl |dtE|iRtoH NoS "Sa
clerk OF the courts Of Charlotte count
and 60 remained an invaluable olfIclt
TO the day of hi. death. The disease cn1
tracted while a prisoner at Johnson'a "
and made such lnroads upon his healt
that he became an invalid TOR four year
} before he succumbed During this per!o
he would often discourse upon the We
and the events which came under h
observation. His descriptions OF can
paigns and battles were peculiarly lnte'
es,ng. His great conception Of m'llta'
! affairs and his engagement IN 30 mar
, campaigns and battles gave him rlt
experiences, and these, reinforced by
e murkable description powers ana m
Q command Of language. made him mo
n charming authority upon all such su'
d jects,
d Co.onel Darlington was very handson
/, ana commanding in appearance, and n
a conduct aud bearing impressed AL WI
a came In contanct with him that he w
every inch the soldier He exercise
i a superb control over MS men. who wei
!" greatly devoted to him, not so muc
IL through stern military discipline ;
- Through The confidence and love inspire
= by Just actions and brave deeds,
j 4. 4