Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-04-28
WILLIAM |.
GRAHAM
WAS WITH MCAUsLANp IN RE-
slsTlNG rHE MARCH OF Hun
TER'S RIDERS.

Nhhioh LVdhutI hEAuAnl, the CilnCn
Valleys News. of Tazewell, says:
Colonel William l.. Graham, a
citizen of this county. died at his
home Saturday. the 18th instant. az
the advanced age OF more than 81
years, he having been Oorn on the
Sth day OF October. 1920, at Chat
ham Hin. Smsth county, Virginia.
He was son OF Major Samuel Gra-
ham and Rachael his wife. nee
Montgomery. He was the last sur
vivor OF thirteen brothers and sis
ters. seven OF whom lived over eigh-
ty years; one of them. Mrs. Amanda
Cox, of Wytheville. recently died at
the great ago of 9S years. The wife
OF Colonel Graham. VINO preceded
him In death several years, was Lou
lisa Bowen Thompson, the daughter
or Archibald Thompson, ESQ, a most
estimable gentleman OF the old
school, who lived anG died In
Thompson Valley. Colonel Graham
Is survived by all OF his six chill
tren: Samuel f. Graham. the pres
ent clerk of Tazewell county; DIR.
Archibald T. Graham. OF Russell
county; John B. Graham, William
X. Graham. Mrs. c. r. Greever and
Mrs. John +. Gillespie.
Colonel Graham was modest
unpretentious gentleman; manly
the very soul OF honor, delightful
and cheerful companion: man of
great physical strength, skilled
horseman and OF great courage,
making him the typical cavalier
which he proved to be In the war
between the states, for he was n born
soldier. Colonel Graham early
showed his prediction for the life
IF soldier, having organized
company of volunteers, OF which n
was made captain, for the purpose
IF Joining the American army in the
war with Mexico. but to his grea,
disappointment the war terminated
before he could join the army.
He was made lieutenant colonel
Of the Sixteenth Virginia regiment
Of cavalry volunteers In the Confed-
crate army at its organization in
1862, and served as such I'm the
campaigns in the Valley OF Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Maryland. holding
his rank until the close OF the war.
He was painfully wounded at Bunk
er Hill, in the Valley of Virginia. in
1863. and again close to Fort Ste
Yens, near Washington city, I'm 1864,
and was captured by the enemy Mt
Moorefield, Hardy county, West Vir-
sinia, in AugusIk 1864. taken to
prison at Camp Chase, Ohio, where
he suffered the torments Of this
damned until the close OF the war
in April, 1865.
Colonel Graham, while a cautious
soldier, did not scruple to take the
Independent initiative with his com
mand, when an opportunity present
ed He was the acknowledged chief
tain OF the hastily assembled Con
federate forces who met the Federal
| General Averill at a mountain pass.
near Wytheville, drove the raiders
back and saved the town OF Wythe-
vile and It's beautiful surrounding
country from devastation lie was
with General McCausland. who so
resisted the march OF General Hunt
er to Lynchburg as TO make It pos
sible to save that city He and Col
Henry S. Bowen. who commanded
the Twenty-second Virginia Cavalry.
planned and made with their reg'-
ments the Independent attack upon
the retreating columns OF General
Hunter at Hanging Rock. near Sa-
lem, Virginia, inhicting q heavy loss
on the enemy. throwing the invading
army In confusion, capturing several
pieces Of artillery and destroying
much ordinance.
Colonel Graham had = good right
to be a soldier lie Is the last sur
vivlng grandson OF Colonel John
Montgomery, who was a comrade Of
| George Rogers Clark. in colonial SER
vice, and was also I'm the service Of
The American army OF the revolu-
tion. His father Major Samuel era
ham (who was born on the Atlantic
during the voyage OF his parents TO
this country. was n volunteer in the
war Of 1924. between this coun-
try and England. and was promoted
major while Rarrisoned at Ports
mouth, Virginia.
EGTfpN uArr4un