Individual Narratives
of the Roseberry-Keister Family Civil War Veterans
Asa D. BURNETT was born in
1833. He married Orlena MORRICLE, daughter of
Samuel MORRICLE and Mildred WILLIAMS, on February 4,
1858 in Floyd Co., VA.
He began military
service in 1861 in Floyd Co., VA, Civil War Veteran, 3rd Sgt., Co. A, 54th VA
INF
Resident Floyd Co. Died in Confederate Army at Christiansburg, VA in 1861 per
PWR. Brother of Josiah. He died on
November 13, 1861 in Hospital, White Sulphur Springs, Montgomery Co., VA; cause
of death was measles.
Josiah D. BURNETT; son of Josiah
& Jemima (Dickerson) Burnett was born on July 25, 1838. He married Elizabeth DUNCAN, daughter of
George DUNCAN
Sr. and Elizabeth MORRICLE, on April 16,
1868 in Floyd Co., VA. He died on May 18, 1922 at age 83; buried White Rock
Cemetery on Alum Ridge in Floyd Co., VA.
He was a farm laborer in 1860 in Floyd Co.,
VA. He began military service on September 10, 1861 in Jacksonville, Floyd Co.,
VA, Civil War Veteran. Corporal.
Burnett, Josiah B.: Co. A, enlisted on 9/10/61
at Jacksonville.
Present on Jan 1, 1862.
Wounded In Action at Kelly's Store, Suffolk Co.
on Jan. 30, 1863.
Absent sick from Dec. 1, 1863 thru at least Dec.
31, 1863. Resident Indian Valley, Floyd
Co., VA Born 7/25/38 Died 5/18/1922, buried in the White Rock
Cemetery, Alum Ridge, Floyd Co., VA.
Age 21, farm laborer, 1866 Floyd Co. Census.
William M. DICKERSON;
"Billy," named for his grandfather William Morricle Jr. (his middle
name may have been Morricle) lived in Floyd Co., VA; He was born on April 4,
1837. He married Miriam M. WADE on December
14, 1865 in Floyd Co., VA. He married Lizena HYLTON on September
9, 1897. He died on March 6, 1929 in Floyd Co., VA, at age 91; buried in Greasy
Creek Cemetery.
"He bought his
grandfather's farm and lived in the two-story log house which was his
grandfather's home." "He taught school for some years, and held such
county offices as census taker, assessor, etc" in Floyd Co., VA.
He began military
service on September 10, 1861 in Jacksonville, Floyd Co., VA, A Civil War
Veteran, William M. Dickerson was a 4th Sargent for Co. A of the 54th VA INF.
Present on Dec. 31, 1863.
Surrendered at Columbia, GA on Dec. 22,
1864. Took oath at Nashville, TN on May
22, 1865.
5'6" with a dark complexion, brown hair,
hazel eyes
Served four years per post war records
Resident of Floyd Co., VA
On 1920 pension list of Floyd Co.
Age 23, farm laborer, 1860 Floyd Co., VA Census
Born April 4, 1837 and died Mar. 6, 1929, buried
in the Greasy Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Burk's Fork, Floyd
Co., VA. He ended military service on May 22, 1865 in Nashville, TN; released
after taking oath of allegiance.
Benjamin Augustas DUNCAN was born in
1841 in Floyd Co., VA. He married Jemima Ann Austin POWERS on August 2,
1871 in Point Pleasant, Mason Co., WV. He died on September 22, 1909 in
Ambrosia, Mason Co., WV.
He began military
service on August 15, 1862 in Point Pleasant, Mason Co., WV, Civil War
Veteran. 13th WV Volunteer Infantry,
Co. C. He ended military service on June 22, 1865 in Wheeling, WV; Mustered out
as private.
Michael H. FOSTER was born in
1841 in Red Sulfer District, Monroe Co., VA. He died on May 29, 1875 in Forest Hill, Summers Co., WVA; Cause of
death-effects of his Civil War wound received at Hatcher's Run; buried at
Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery in Summers Co., WV. Foster's unmarked grave
was marked by a granite shaft six years after a marker to the memory of the
Monroe Guards was dedicated in 1907 in Summers Co., WV.
He was a day laborer
living with his older brother Jacob Foster in 1860 in Monroe Co., VA. He began
military service on May 9, 1861 in Union, VA, Civil War Veteran. Enlisted in 27th VA INF
From 27th VA INF-Unit Roster p. 143
27th VA INF-The Stonewall Brigade of
Jackson's then Ewell's Corp
MICHAEL "MIKE" FOSTER
Co.
D. Enlisted May 9, 1861 at Union. Age 20, born Red Sulphur District in Monroe
Co. in 1841. Farmer.
Present until absent sick with typhoid fever in Charlottesville hospital
October 13-31, 1861.
Absent on leave November 16, 1861 for 20 days.
Present January-February 1862.
Absent sick in Lynchburg hospital March-April 1862.
Absent WithOut Leave October 24-December 14, 1862.
Present December 14, 1862 to February 1864.
Issued clothing 3/31/65 then 4/20, 5/31, 9/17, 10/1, 11/1, and 12/1/64.
Wounded In Action (hip, bladder and thigh) at Hatcher's Run on February
9, 1865.
The
"Lexington Gazette" reported in 1893, "Mike Foster, Monroe
Guards, 27th VA INF, wounded repeatedly was presented a laurel wreath by Gen.
R. E. Lee as the bravest, and most efficient soldier in the Stonewall Brigade
while in the hospital in Richmond in 1863.
He was wounded and captured at Hatcher's Run in 4/65 (sic). Gen. J. B. Gordon offered 50 Federal
prisoners of war to get him back. He was terribly wounded and died from the
effects at Forest Hill, WVA on May 22, 1875." Buried in Forest Hill, WVA Confederate Veterans Camp in Monroe
Co., WVA named in his honor.
"Distinguished for gallantry on every battlefield."
From 27thVA INF-p. 4
Of
the 108 members of the company none achieved greater distinction than Michael
Foster, a 21- year-old farmer, from Summers County. Contemporary accounts reveal that Foster was adjudged the bravest
men in the company as well as in what came to be known as the Stonewall
Brigade.
The
twin accolades resulted from a gesture by the ladies of Rockbridge County who sent
five suits of clothes and a wreath to Stonewall Jackson instructing him to
award a suit to the bravest soldier in each of his five regiments and the
wreath to the most valorous man in the brigade.
Foster was captured late in the war and, it was written, was so highly
regarded by John B. Gordon that the general
offered 50 Federal prisoners in exchange for him. Mike died shortly after the war, allegedly
as a result of his numerous wounds.
Foster's grave remained unmarked until 1907, when old comrades dedicated
a granite shaft "in the presence of one of the largest if not the largest
crowds of people that ever assembled within the boundaries of the
county." The monument to Foster
was erected six years after a marker to the memory of the Monroe Guards was
dedicated. Sponsors of the memorial expected that a highway would
be rerouted into close proximity of the monument and erected it in a farmer's
field. The highway department failed to
cooperate and today the monument stands as a lonely sentinel in pasture land, a
reminder of political mischief.
From 27th VA INF-p. 78
After two nights at Hamilton's Crossing the Stonewall Brigade commenced
its march toward Chancellorsville for its rendezvous with Hooker's legions. A heavy fog blanketed the countryside when
shortly after midnight on April 30, the columns took to the road. A short distance west of Frederickburg the
graycoats diverged to the left on the Plank Road, where they bivouacked in the
woods.
Four
members of Company D, 27th Virginia, all of whom had enlisted at Union in
Monroe County in May 1861 served as sharpshooters during this operation. They were Lieutenant John Tiffany, 21, who
had been a student prior to the war; Mike Foster, 23, a prewar farmer; George
Lynch, 23, also a farmer and Addison Leach, 28, a saddler.
Writing to his parents, Tiffany described the activities of the
sharpshooters on May 1:
“The
first Brigade sharpshooters were thrown to the front on the first day of May
where they continued until the fight was over without sleep or rest, in sight
of the enemy all the time making many a shot tell a sorrowful tale to some
family North. Nothing but the love for
one's country would cause men to undergo what we have done. Mike Foster distinguished himself for his
accurate shooting, and watchfulness.
When you heard his gun crack you knew one was hurt. If he did not kill him, you would hear him
squeal from the pain of the wound.
Gordon Huston GODBEY, He
was born on January 20, 1841 in Newbern, Pulaski Co., VA. Gordon died March 19,
1908 and buried in Mt. Jackson.
From 36th VA
INF (p. 72); 23rd Battalion INF (p. 71) and 26th Battalion INF (p. 121)
Gordon H. Godbey
He
began military service enlisting with the 36th VA INF on June 3, 1861 in
Chapmanville, Raleigh Co., WVA, Civil War Veteran. Age 20.. He was described as
Height: 5' 9", grey eyes and light hair in 1861. Absent sick then present
until transferred to the 26th Batt'n. in April 1864. He was mistakenly listed on Post War Record as being with the
23rd Batt'n VA INF Paroled on May 15, 1865. Parole was at Charleston, WVA. He
was a priest with the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints after the Civil
War.
James H. GODBEY was born on April
20, 1843. He began military service on June 3, 1861 in Raleigh Co., WVA, Civil
War Veteran. Enlisted in 36th VA INF,
Co. C. Age 19. 1843. Present until
transferred to 17th VA CAV in Jan. 1864.
Jackson GODBY He was born in
1816 in VA. He married Ellen H. DESKINS on June 6,
1844 in Floyd Co., VA; Minister-Wm. Thompson, Sr. He died in 1884 in Floyd County, VA. He was buried in 1884 in
Jacksonville Cemetery, Floyd Co., VA.
Jackson owned a store adjoining his residence and was one of the leading
merchants in Jacksonville, Floyd Co., VA. Land records list "Jackson and
Crockett Godbey his sons 430 ac. west side Little River, Jackson and Crockett
Godbey 65 acres on Indian Ck., adj. J. Howert" in Floyd Co., VA.
He
lived in 1860 in Floyd Co., VA; $7575 in real estate and $6490 in personal
property.
He
was County Surveyer in 1860 in Floyd Co., VA. He was Clerk of the Circuit and
County Court before 1861 in Floyd Co., VA.
He
began military service on September 16, 1861 in Floyd Court House, Floyd Co.,
VA, Civil War Veteran. Enlisted 54th VA
INF, Co. B. (from Floyd Co.) as a Captain and was Present on Jan. 1, 1862 and
Feb. 28, 1862 musters.
On
detached service on May 1, 1862 muster. Dropped on May 13, 1862. He later
enlisted as a private in Co. H, 4th VA Reserves but was exempted by the medical
board. Exemption was as Clerk of the Circuit and County Court.
Resident of Floyd C.H., Floyd Co. Postwar member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church-South, Jackson's occupation was farmer and active promoter of
the Jacksonville Brick Academy at Floyd C.H.
Byrdine GUNN was born on
August 5, 1834 in Pulaski, VA. He married Emma Madora LOWMAN on February
28, 1877 in Pulaski, VA. He died on
November 2, 1905 in Pulaski, VA, at age 71; buried in the Newbern Community
Cemetery in Pulaski Co., VA.
He began military
service on May 27, 1861 in Lynchburg, VA, Civil War Veteran, enlisted 24th VA
INF, Co. E at Lynchburg, VA
BIRDINE GUNN: Commissioned as 2nd Lt. on May 1,
1861.
Enlisted Co. E on May 27, 1861 at Lynchburg, VA as
a 3rd Lt.
Elected 1st Lt. on May 10, 1862
Birdine was wounded at Gettysburg (during Pickett's Charge). He was admitted to the Richmond Hospital on Sep. 11, 1863 with a gunshot wound to the left groin with the ball coming out the buttock and was later furloughed on Sep. 17, 1863. Birdine was absent on wounded furlough until the Spring of 1864.
He was wounded again
at Drewry's Bluff, probably on May 16, 1864 and admitted to the Chimborazo
Hospital on May 17, 1864 with a gunshot wound to the buttock. He was promoted
to captain on May 29, 1864 and furloughed on June 7, 1864 for 30 days.
(The letter to his sister, see below, was
written in January of 1865.)
Birdine was captured
at Hatcher's Run on April 2, 1865 during the fighting that finally led to the
fall of Richmond. He was released from Johnson's Island on June 18, 1865. His description as given by his prisoner of
war records state Birdine was 5'11 " with a dark complexion, dark hair and
blue eyes. He was a resident of Dublin, VA.
From an unidentified newspaper clipping
(probably the Radford or Pulaski Co. paper) ANOTHER OLD LETTER BY MR. B. GUNN.
Trenches 24th Regiment, Va. Infy.
Jan., 1865.
Dear Sister:
Yours of the 8th
instant came to hand this morning, was very glad to hear from you, pleased to
hear that you were all well, happy to inform you that my health is improving,
have had no chill for two weeks. I have news, the soldiers seem determined to
stop this war, by deserting to the enemy. They go every day, but not in very
great numbers. I don't know what will be the end of all this mighty strife, but
I expect to stand by my countrys cause until the last of Virginia's sons have
deserted her, or if she goes down, I expect to go down with her, for there are
few things to make life desirable here, and I have not forgotten that two
brothers came into the service with me, and have both fallen victims to the
ruthless enemy of our Country, and why should I desire to cling to this, world
only to reap, the fruits of its great calamities.
I am glad that you are
learning little Sammie to spell, for you don't know that he will ever have the
advantage of going to school. Tell him if I get a furlough this winter, I will
bring him a nice book. I have writ- ten home very often but I suppose the
letters have been lost on the way. Tell, father that Tipton is at home on
furlough and will be at the Depot on his return about the first of February and
I would like for him to send me some little eatables, if he can, for our
rations are still short.
I hope that you may
not be visited by a raid from the enemy. You all have been remarkably fortunate
in this particular. The enemy has never had an opportunity of insulting you at
your own home and you ought to know how to appreciate such good fortune, for
many others of your country, women have had to bear the (tear) ... ion of
outragious conduct from (tear) ... oldier, besides seeing every (tear) of their
property destroyed. (tear) deliver you from all such fiendish perpretrations is
my prayer.
My best, wishes to
grana. Glappo and compliments to all Mrs. Sutton's family. I send you two
United States postage stamps. You can dispose of them if you wish or keep them
for your own use. My love to you and Samme, good-bye,
B.
GUNN.
From Pulaski County: VA & Virginians
BIRDINE
GUNN-Born in Pulaski county, August 5, 1834, and E. Madora Lowman, born in this
county, May 3, 1850, were here united in wedlock February 28, 1877.
Their four children were born: Ola E., January
5, 1878; Cora L., October 11, 1879-1 Robert C., September 9, 1881 -,Ralph B.,
February 27, 1883.
John C. and Sarah (Owens) Gunn, both now
deceased, were the parents of Birdine Gunn, and his wife is a daughter of Abel
and Elizabeth S. (Harris) Lowman. Her parents have been residents of Pulaski
county since 1819.
Birdine Gunn entered the Confederate army with
rank of third lieutenant in the Twenty-Fourth Virginia Infantry, Company E.
After one year's service he was promoted to second lieutenant, and four months
later received commission as first lieutenant, which rank he held until he
received a captain's commission. As captain of the company in which he enlisted
he then served till the close of the war.
The principal battles in which he took part were
the Seven Days Battle, Fair Oaks, Williamsburg, South Mountain, Second Manassas
and Sharpsburg. He enlisted in 1861, was wounded at Gettysburg in the left
groin, the wound was so serious as to keep him from the field six months. He
was again wounded at Drurys Bluff, in the left hip, but returned to duty in
forty-five days. He was cared for at the hospital Chimborazo, at Richmond, in
1864, after his last wound. At the battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865, he was
made prisoner, and sent to Johnsons Island, in Lake Erie, and there held until
the close of the war.
He is in partnership with H. L. Stone, Newbern,
in the dry goods business, and owns a farm of 200 acres where he resides in
Newbern district. This farm was settled under a grant from Gov. Patrick Henry
to Hugh Patrick in Revolutionary days. He devotes it principally to grazing,
and is a breeder of fine cattle. Postoffice address, Newbern, Pulaski county,
Virginia.
He was a farmer in 1877 in Pulaski Co., VA.
Joseph GUNN was born in
1837 in Pulaski Co., VA. He was a carpenter in 1860 in Pulaski Co., VA. He
began military service on May 27, 1861 in Lynchburg, VA, Civil War
Veteran. Enlisted in 24th VA INF, Co. E
as 2nd Sgt. He died on February 22, 1863 in Charlottesville Hospital,
Charlottesville, VA; Died of wounds received at the Battle of Fredericksburg,
VA (Dec. 1862).
Samuel GUNN was born in
1835 in Pulaski Co., VA. He was a laborer in 1860 in Pulaski Co., VA. He began
military service on May 27, 1861 in Lynchburg, VA, Civil War Veteran. Enlisted 24th VA INF, Co. E. as 3rd Sgt. He
died on July 25, 1862 in Chimborazo Hospital, Richmond, VA; Died of wounds
received at Frayser's Farm during the Seven Days Battle.
William A. GUNN was born in
1841 in Pulaski Co., VA. He married
Lunna CONNER on January 25,
1871 in Pulaski Co., VA. He was a laborer
in 1860 in Pulaski Co., VA. He began military service before October 8, 1862 in
VA Civil War Veteran. Enlisted 50th VA
INF, Co. I
Private. Co. I. 1860: laborer, age 19, Pulaski Co. Enlisted and AWOL by 10/8/1862 through 10/23/1862
when "thought [to] have deserted."
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