The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-26
Valiant SOLDIER
ANSWERS ROLL
Major William N. Bcrkeley's
Long and Honorcd Career
Closes.
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FOUR BROTHERS WON FAME.
Berkeley Regiments Record
Unparalleled i'll History-Gcn-
cral Huntonls Tribute.
FOUR BROTHERS WON FAME
Especial 10 The Times. Dispatch.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, April 10
Major William N. Berkeley, aged eighty,
died at the University of Virginia to-day,
after long illness. He was native of
Loudoun county, and with his five bro
theirs served through the Civil War, at
tanning the rank OF Lieutenant colonel.
Three daughters survive Misses Cynthia,
Edm0nds and Fannie Berkeley. Inc
funeral will take place tomorrow at Mid
dleburg, Va.
General Eppa Hunton, who was the
first commander OF the Eighth Virginia
Regiment, was yesterday afternoon shown
q telegram announcing Major Bcrkeley's
death. The general was greatly grievsd
to hear OF the end of the lie s, OF ms
friend and brother soldier. His clcar
mind Immediately commenced to dwell
upon war times and war scenes. and from
him 1t was learned that Major Berkeley
was n native of Loudoun county. and az
States he owned and occupied the SPLEEN
did estate, "Aldie' in Loudoun county.
Major Berkeley was one of four brothers.
W.. VINO raised company IN houdo ,tI o, ior
to the Eighth Regiment. Of which Cen
eral Hunton became colonel
Four Martial Brothers.
These four brothers fought through
the whole war. and at It's close they
ranked as follows: Colonel. Norborne
Berkeley; Lieutenant, Colonel, Edmund
Senior Captain, Charles Berkeley. All
four OF them were In the battle of
Gettysburg. and all four were wounded
in the famous charge OF Picketts Di-
vision. Three OF the brothers were
captured, but Edmund and General
Hunton. who was also wounded. by
"impressing" q buggy to which was
hitched General dunton's horse, made
their escape to the Confederate lines.
The rLalaye rpnlainpI In
prison few weeks. when they were
exchanged. and without even making
call at home, they rejoincd their
regiment.
After the battle of Gettysburg. Cen
cral Hunton was promoted and became
the commander of Armistead's Brigade.
and Norborne Berkeley succeeded him
as colonel Of the old Eighth Virginia.
became lieutenant-colon William N.
became major and Charles took the
latter's place as senior captain. From
that time to the close of the war, the
old Eighth was known among the
soldiers as the Berkeley Regiment"
Heroic Record on Heights.
raised for the war by the Berkeleys,
went into the battle OF Gettysburg
with exactly 100 men in line, and came
out with only ten men, ninety being
killed or wounded, every officer. in
Guiding all four of the Berkeleys. hav-
ing been shot down.
In speaking Of the Berkeleys last night.
General Hunton said: '.They were indeed
four OF natures noblemen. brave. gener-
Gus, kind and hospi,able. Previous to
the war Major William Berkeley was a
nlagstr in his county and was one OF
the most popular men In Loudoun. He
dispensed the old-time hospitality at his
splendid home and always stood deserv-
edy high in the estimation of all his
nelghbors. When the war came on 1t
was no trouble for the Berkeleys to raise
good company from among their coun-
trymen. They were the kind Of men
that other brave men love to follow.
Service at Balls Bluff.
e Gs1Hr neaa a1e1 saa he s9sa rn sss
but" said hen. zone will suffice: After
the famous battle of Balls Bluff. in which
the old Eighth greatly distinguished II
down the bluff and to the rivers edge,
Billy Berkeley and Colonel Lige White
organized force of volunteers and went
force. that had been brought over by
Baker, was making strenuous effort to
reach the Maryland side of the river.
me fankees were taken by surprise and
routed and demorallzed, and between
three and four hundred of them cap
tured and tho next morning sent as
prisoners OF war to General Ecaurcgard
at Centrevlle
The Eighth had been fighting all day
long. and were literally tired out, and
SO when 1t was proposed to attack the
enemy after dark at the rivers edge,
Colonel Tibbs. who was in temporary
command during my absence, refused to
order the men out, but said II any chose
10 volunteer they could go. Billy Berkeley
and Lige White called for volunteers, and
a SUFFICIENT number quickly responding,
the raid was made under their command,
with the result | have related"
Gave His Horses Freely.
Speaking further of Major Berkeley's
generous loyalty. General Hunton said
that he took all the horses from his
plantation to lend to the officers who
could not otherwise provide themselves
with mount, and at one time no less
than thirty officers of the brigade were
riding horses that had been loaned them
by Major Berkeley
Major Berkeley and his three brothers
fought the war out to Appomattox. and
then returned home to find their estates
In ashes and in weeds. Some fifteen
years ago Major Berkeley removed to
Charlottesville to reside with his daugh-
tiers at tho University. The announce
ment of his death will bring a tear to
the eye. of many old Confedcrates who
knew him and loved him in the times
that tried mems souls.