The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-18

gray garments which he had worn
as an infantryman who followed Lee
and jackson and was proud to share
their fortunes, attracted very many
to the tall robust figure. who very
seldom showed excitement whose
was among the first to volunteer In
Captain Poorc's Fluvanna Rifemen.
lie was In the first battle of Ma
nassas. Later he Joined the BLACK
Eagle Company" from Cumberland
county. Va. Eighteenth Virginia In
handing. In the battle of Gaines
MIL. before Richmond. July. 1852.
Private Wood carried the Eighteenth
Infantry rcgimcntal colors, and there
he and six OF the color guard were
shot down in that desperate charge
which broke tho intrcnched blue line
Of Mccellans army of 100000 men.
The subject OF this memorial was
the son of Henry w. Wood ana
Phoebe a, ". steger. the parents OF
ter-father and foster-mother to an In
FAINT when but few days old. This
foster-son, with six of the Wood
brothers. entered the Confederate
ranks or these sons one was killed
and three badly wounded In battles.
The Youngest entered the Army OF
Northern Virginia whom but ftteen
years old and came out whom not
seventeen. He became courier NJ
Lees army headquarters and partici-
treat to ,Appomattox. where ne cs-
capped through the blue lines and rode
home. II could not bring myself to
surrender and needed my horse TO
pillow with All the children save
one. who died before tho war en-
dured the rigors OF war and the per-
sccut!ons OF Reconstruction--"fo
many a helpless mother then and
helpless infant died"
Such was the meta! OF this family,
whose home was shelter for home
less refugee. Confederates and the
ragged brigadcs" In that long sa9-
son that tried mems souls.
Private II. u. Wood was at home
on furIough when Sheridan's 10000
troopers harried in the spring OF
1856 the upper Valley Of James Riv,
err. Wood with a few unorSani2ed
E'luvanna county soldiers hung about
the Northern camp near Columbia
and secuted over the county. thus
materially preventing outrases being
practiced on the women, children ana
noncomba;ant old men. Many and
widespread were the outrageS, how
ever. While Wood and member
of Colonel Mosby's men were scout
ing near the blue encampment they
were detected and pursued by eight
Northern troopers. who were armed
with repeater carbines and Colts re-
voivers. The ranger from Mosby's
Piedmont Confederacy, accustomed to
surprises, with a dash at the enemy
in blue while delivering rapid
close quarter fire, proposed that these
two waylay their. pursuers. WOOD.
the cautions, trained intantryman,'
replied: Eve are TOO lightly armed.
too few and have but an Indifferent
pistol each. We Will certainly be
killed II we made the attack from
the Frog Ordinary tobacco parn AZ
sued and under fire for about two
miles. this brace of Confederates sep
arated. Woods companion taking a
farm road through the woods and
across the field route. ttnally pinns-
ed his horse into Il greatly swollen
creek. where there was no ford. He
made the further shore amid show
err OF carbine bullets. This trooper
rode to his home unpursued. WOOD
took to tho woods and along by
ways. and after ride OF eight or more
miles. on reaching his mothers yard,
Ills horse was shot under him on his
arrival by another party OF bIuecoat
narauders.
The subject OF this memorial was
sick at Chimborazo Hospital, Ricn-
,nond. when the news spread through
the city that General Lee had with
drawn his army. Placed by Ileuten,,
ant-General r. S. Ewcll at the head
OF the armed convalescepts from this
hospital, Private Wood shared In the
last marches and trials of Lees army.
which was called upon to enter val
lev where none but the dedicated
and enduring and heroicaliy tried
may ever enter.
lie was for years, and at the time
wanna Camp OF Confederate Veterans.
He was a Free and Accepted Mason.
Gathered to his fathers IN me
bosom OF Virginia. his grave Is close