# 
 
 (SECOND EDITION.], 
 
 ^a. sis.:Eirro 
 
 THE LIF 
 
 RANDOLPH FAIRFAX, 
 
 A PBITATE IM THK RAHKS OF THE ROCKBRIDGE ARTl'.LERT, ATTACHED TO 
 
 THE "3T0HEWAI4. BRIGADE" AND StTBSEQUENTLy TO THE liT 
 
 REGT. VA. LIGHT ARTILLERY, 2d CORPS. ARMY OF 
 
 NORTHERN VIRGINIA ; IXCi.CDIMa A 
 
 BglEF ACCODNT Of 
 
 JACKSON'S CELEBRATED VALLEY CAMPAIGN. 
 
 REV, PHILIP SLAUGHTER, 
 
 RICHMOND, VA. 
 
 TvLKR, Alleork & McDanul, Enqcirkii Job Office 
 lb64. 
 
.!»&:(»>» Koirioiv.j 
 
 J^ £»XS.£3a7CXX 
 
 THE LIFE 
 
 RANDOLPH FAIRFAX, 
 
 A PRI.VTE IK THE HANK? OF TFIB ROCKBRinOK ARTILLERY, ATTA I HKD TO 
 
 T IK "STONEWAI.L BRIGADF:" AND ifUItSEQDKNTLY TO TUB IST 
 
 REGT. VA. LIGHT ARTILLERY, '2d C'jRPS, ARMY OF 
 
 NORTHERN' VIRGINIA ; INCLUDING A 
 
 BRIEF ACCOUNT OF 
 
 JACKSON S CELEBRATED VALLEY GAMPAIbN. 
 
 BY TRf 
 
 v,Ev. PHILIP slaugiitkr; 
 
 E'iiior of the '■^Army and Navy Mesatngcr ' 
 
 RICHMOXD, VA. 
 
 Tyliir, Allegre & McDaniel, Enquirkb Job OffiCE. 
 1864. 
 
RFR 
 
 IXTRODUGTION. 
 
 Graj/s Klcgy — The Sontli a Grand Cemetery — Honor to privafrs 
 in. the ranks. 
 
 Gray's Ele.i^y in a country churchyard, owes its 
 world-wide popularity, not merely to the eloo-ance 
 of the language and the musical flow of the verses, 
 but chiefly to the fact that it is a true expression 
 of the thoughts and feelings which snch a scene 
 naturally awakens in the human mind. Few could 
 have painted the picture, but every enlightened per 
 son recognizes in it his own likeness. If such a sub- 
 ject as a single country churchyard inspired such a 
 poem in on ungenial clime, what a grand elegy the 
 Poet would li.'we written had he been born in our 
 day in the sunny South, whose soil is cut up with 
 sepulchres, and whose blue sky is the ceiling of a 
 vast series of vaults in which are entombed hosts 
 of young cavaliers, who had they been developed 
 by time and culture, might have commanded the 
 applause of listening Senators or swayed the rod of 
 empire. When old men die it seems almost as 
 natural, and awakens but little more emotion than 
 when the evening sun goes down. When little 
 infants in their early dawn close their soft eyes and 
 breathe no more, we wonder what could have been 
 the design of an All-wise Providence in bringing 
 into the world so many young immortals just to look 
 around tliem and to die. But when the maid in the 
 bud of her beauty and the young man in the bloom 
 of his youth, standing in the midst of the landscape, 
 and while hope is gladdening their vision with its 
 
SKETCH 01 THE LIFE OF 
 
 enchanting' perspectives, are suddenly cut down like 
 the flower, '' these are the tombs that claim the ten- 
 der tear and the elegiac song." But men in the 
 ranks generally have no poet, and they die not un- 
 wept but ''unho'nored and unsung." 
 
 Officers reap all the honors of war. While they 
 live their brows are crowned with laurels, and their 
 ears are regaled with the sweet music of praise. 
 And when they die, their names and memories go 
 down to future ages embodied in monumental marble 
 or emblazoned upon the pictured pages of History. 
 " Officers therefore may have motives other than 
 the cause. But the soldier in the ranks can have 
 none. Me knows that his valor must generally pass 
 unnoticed save in the narrow circle of his companj^; 
 that his sacrifices can bring no honor to himself nor 
 reputation to his family." He knows that if he 
 survives, he lives only to enter upon new dangers, 
 with the same hopelessness of distinction ; that if 
 he dies he will fall unepitaphed, perhaps uncoffined ; 
 and yet he goes into battle with unfaltering steps, 
 proud to do his duty. His comrades fall around 
 him thick and fast, yet with a sigh and tear, he closes 
 his ranks and presses on to a like destiny. Sublime 
 devotion ! If honor should be given " to whom 
 honor is due," then let us render everlasting honor 
 to " the noble army of martyrs" whose blood cries 
 to Heaven from the ground on which they fell, and 
 to those who yet fill the ranks of the Confederate 
 Army. 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 
 
 CHAPTEa 1. 
 
 Jiandolp/ifi uju-estri/ — //i.s pcrsonhl appearance — ///.•« dutlfulness — 
 The boat incident — IUh excursion through the North — Ris ac- 
 (juai/Hance with Jfr. Dcio>/. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a private in the 
 ranks. The blood of two historical families met in 
 his veins, and are both represented in his name — 
 Randolpli Fairfax. Randolph was the son of Dr. 
 Orlando Fairfax, of Alexandria, who is the grand- 
 son of Rev. Bryan Fairfax, who was the Rector of 
 Fairfax pai-ish, in the county of Fairfaxi§.and who 
 inherited the title of Lord Fairfax. His mother 
 was tlie dauf(hter of Jefferson Gary and Virginia 
 Randolpli, the sister of Governor Thomas Mann 
 Randolph, who married the daughter of Thomas 
 Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Ameri- 
 can Independence, and tlie Father of the University 
 of Virginia. Randolph was born in the city of 
 Alexandria, Va., on the 23d of November, 1842. 
 From his infancy he was remarkable for an almost 
 womanly beauty. His eyes were hazel and his hair 
 of a golden brown, his features regular and his 
 complexion brilliant. These soft beauties, as he 
 grew in stature, were developed into a manly form, 
 which, though not tall, was distinguislied for a noble 
 and graceful bearing. His outward form was the 
 fair index of inward purity. Even in his childhood, 
 there was an a))seuce of the waywardness and fits 
 of- passion which generally characterise that age. 
 From his earliest years it was suid of him by those 
 who knew him best, '• Randolph- is actuated by a 
 desire to do his duty ; his conduct seems to be gov- 
 erned by principle." After passing through an in- 
 fant school with great credit, he entered at ten years 
 
6 SKETCH OF TfiE LIFE Oi? 
 
 of age, the High School of Alexandria, kept by that 
 excellent Preceptor Benjamin Hallo well. Even 
 then there was so much blended dignity and gen- 
 tleness in his bearing that his teacher was wont to 
 say of him. " Randolph is a little gentleman," and 
 his associates never treated him with rudeness nor 
 took those liberties, to repel which demands the 
 exhibition of what is called spirit in a boy. He 
 was much beloved by his school fellows, because, 
 they said Randolph never got angry and always 
 played fairly. And yet he was not grave nor austere. 
 None partook with more glee than he of the games 
 of the playground, or displayed more agility and 
 skill in th^m. The following incident will illus- 
 trate his sense of duty, even at that early age. He 
 was a member of a boating elub which used on sum- 
 mer afternoons to go rowing on the Potomac river. ^ 
 Sailing had been prohibited by his mother as dan- 
 gerous. At dinner one day, he said to bis mother, 
 " The boys of our club want to have a sail this 
 afternoon, may I join them"? She replied, '* No, 
 my son, the day is very hot and I am sure there will 
 be a storm, and I should not have a moments peace 
 if 1 knew you were on the river in a sail-boat I" He 
 said no more, but late in the evening he came in 
 heated and dusty and told his mother that the boys 
 when they fouud he could not join them in a sail, 
 gave it up, '^ and we rowed, ho said, four miles up the 
 river. The wind was then fair for sailing and they 
 wished to raise the sail. 1 insisted upon their 
 doing it and made them put me ashore and I walked 
 home. '' It was hard to do, mamma", he said, " and 
 I have had a very hot walk, but I could not disobey 
 you." The example had its effect upon his young 
 companions, for the mother of one of them remark- 
 ed in a few days to Randolph's father, "you may 
 trust that boy anywhere." 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 7 
 
 In the months of August and September, 1854, 
 Randolph made a visit to his aunt, ^frs. Gouverneur 
 Morris of New York, wlio had a son near his own 
 age, and accompanied them on a tour tliroughout 
 the Northern States. During tin's tour he visited 
 many places famous as the scenes of interesting- 
 events in our first Revolutioa. His uncle, Mr. Mor- 
 ris, being well acquainted witli these places and 
 their historical associations, made the excursion 
 both delightful and profitaltle to him. While on a 
 steamboat on Lake Champlain, a gentleman attrac- 
 ted by his looks, walked up to Randolph and en- 
 tered into conversation with him, asking his name, 
 and introducing himself as i^^r. Dewy, of New Vork, 
 once a Senator of that State. On learning Ran- 
 dolph's name, he remarked. " 1 would not like to 
 have a name already so famous that 1 could add 
 nothing to it." Randolj)h replied, " It is the name 
 of my ancestors, and if they have made it famous, I 
 at least will try to do nothing to impair its bright- 
 ness." This gentleman continued with the party, 
 and was several days with Randolph at Saratoga, 
 and when they parted solicited a correspondence 
 with him. Mr. Dewy was a man between thirty and 
 forty years of age and of considerable literary at- 
 tainments. He frequently sent Randolph copies of 
 kis speeches and lectures. For some years he also 
 had books and other new publications sent by the 
 publishers in New York to Randolph at his several 
 schools. His letters, which we have had the plea- 
 sure of reading, were quite romantic in their ex- 
 pression of friendship, and modestly apologised for 
 intruding on one who already had so many to love 
 him. 
 
SKETCH OF THE I.IFE OK 
 
 CPTAPTER il. 
 
 Randolph at the TPnih Srhool—IIis Bh'thda)/ preHent—Hu re- 
 liijiom imprenaiom — .'?//•.<?. Vircpnia Carif — The Grandmother'H 
 niUnon — H/> firH i-omnnnilov — llh rufes of conduct — 7\'ie gold 
 medal and other prizes — ///.v Diar//. 
 
 Tn the fall of tho year 18^7, Randolph entere<l 
 tbe_ Episcopal Hio-li Scliool, |iiear the Theological 
 Seiuiiiary of Viri^inia] niidor the care of the Rev- 
 Joliii P. McGiiirc. On iiis fonrteeuth Idrthday, 
 Randolpli rorjucsted his mother to frSve him a Bible 
 as a birtljduy present, whjcli he said he would try 
 and make a ji^ood use of It is not known at what 
 time he received his first reliu'ions impressions. 
 fie had been from his earliest years a Sunday scliool 
 scholar of St. Paul's Church, "Alexandria, of which 
 the Rev. James T. Johnston, was Rector. Besides 
 the. example and instruction of father and motlier, 
 both of whom were communicants at St. Paul's 
 church, he was the special subject of the prayers 
 and nurture of his grandmother, Mrs. Virginia 
 Gary, an earnest Christian and highly accomplished 
 woman, the tutelary angel of the house. Beautiful 
 and almost divine is the mission (Tf an enlightened 
 and Christian grandmother. Free from the care 
 of the house and retired from the world and its 
 frivolities, she enriches the house of her daughter 
 with. the treasure of her experience, diffusing joy 
 and doing good. She possesses that kindness which 
 nothing can exhaust and that infinite tact which, 
 springing from love, comprehends and anticipates 
 every ill. She lives her life over again in her chil- 
 dren and grand-children, and of all the human fami- 
 ly, she alone enjoys the beautiful privilege of not 
 feeling the pains of growing old. A great author 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 
 
 tracing the ideal type ofa perfect woman, gives her 
 a grandmother for her instructress, remarking at 
 the same time that her mother was an excellent 
 woman. Madame Campan was heard to say, that 
 of all the children entrusted to her care, the best 
 instructed had been brought up by a grandmother. 
 
 She did not mean the best instructed in letters, 
 but in piety, in order, in submission, in obedience 
 and in gentleness. We do not maintain that the 
 grandmother should supersede the mother, but only 
 inspire and direct her in those gracious ways which 
 lead to virtue by pleasing example— ways which 
 woman knows, ])ut of which man cannot catch the 
 secret. Sucli a grand mother it was the privilege 
 of Randolph to have in his home. In addition to 
 her natural gift of high culture, Mrs. Gary possess- 
 ed rare colloquial powers which made her a charm- 
 ing companion. But above all she was a devout 
 Christian, beautified by the graces of Faith, Hope 
 and Charity. Her charming talent for narrative 
 made her the especial favorite of children, and she 
 was so tlioughtful of their pleasures, that she gen- 
 erally had by lier a little store of good things for 
 their gratification. There are those whose memo- 
 ry recalls with admiration and gratitude, the form 
 of that venerable woman seated in " the old arm 
 chair" in the sweet parlor at twilight, with the 
 lovely group of grand-children at her knees, look- 
 ing up into her bright face and drinking in the les- 
 sons of wisdom and love which arc bearing fruit in 
 eternity, f©r ^lie has welcomed one of her chief 
 treasures to her Heavenly Home. 
 
 K it be true, as a German author has })eautifully 
 said, that " every first thing continues forever with 
 a child— that the first color, the first music, the first 
 flower, paint the foreground of life — that every 
 new educator effects less than his predecessor," then 
 
Q SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 we must conclude that Randolph received in his 
 own home the seeds that were now beginning to 
 spring up to view, and soon commenced bearing their 
 fruits The Bible which his mother had given him 
 he diligently read. Upon entering the High School 
 he joined the prayer meeting, and his chosen com- 
 panions were the more pious boys. In the follow- 
 ing summer he' expressed a desire to be confirmed, 
 with some of his schoolfellows in the Seminary 
 Chapel. His pastor, Rev. Mr. Johnston, of St. 
 Paul's Church, Alexandria, naturally wishing to have 
 the privilege of presenting so gentle a lamb of his 
 flock for this interesting rite in his own parish 
 church, Randolph consented to postpone his con- 
 firmation and made his firat profession of religion 
 by communion in St. Paul's Church, four months 
 before he reached his fifteenth year. To show his 
 conct ption of the Christian character of which he 
 had just made profession, we transcribe from his 
 Diary, commenced about this time, the following 
 rules of conduct : 
 
 " 1st. I shall endeavor from this time to adhere to these riileti and 
 at the end of each diy review them ; and 
 
 2d. Throughout c-.-h day I shall try to prcs-erve a seutje of tlie 
 presence of God, and by this to regulate niy actions. 
 
 od. Feeling the salvation of my soul as paramount to all other 
 aims and that it is my duty to work iu Christ's cause in season and 
 out of season, I will do niy bCvSt by word and deed to lead others 
 into the way everlasting. 
 
 -1th. Never to do anything which I have reason to suppose I may 
 afterv>^ards repent of, and of which the lawfulness is doiibtfuL 
 
 5th. Not to allow the praisesof meu toinijiteme to any wrong ac- 
 tion, feeling that I kuow tlie sinfulness of my heart better than others; 
 and to be continually on my guard against jaide and" the deceits of 
 the world, the flesh and the devil. 
 
 6th. To guard against insincerity and too inuch levity iu conver- 
 sation. To endeaver to deny myself in order to be kind and chari- 
 table to all around me ; more quick to see the Jaults of myself than 
 those of others, knowing that all I have is from God and that all 
 men are the work of his almighty hand. 
 
 7th, To improve every moment of time — to think much of the 
 
RA^DOLPH FAIRFAX. 11 
 
 shortness of life and that I mxy at any moment be called away to 
 meet a just God. 
 
 8tb. IVever to do rcnytliing out of revenge, or to do avything I 
 should ju&tly think mean in anothei'. 
 
 9th. Xot ^to speak evil of anotlier unless some particular good 
 come from it, and r ot to speak anything that may produce mirtli- 
 fulnes^ on the Sabbath day, 
 
 . loth. To inquire every iiight when I go to bed what good I have 
 done, whether I have been negligent, and what sins I have com- 
 mitted during the day. 
 
 11th. To endeavor to grow in the knowh dge of myself and of 
 my sins, and continually to compare the great majesty of God with 
 my own littleness, and to trust only in Him to bring me safely 
 through this life." 
 
 At the examination at tlie High School, in June 
 of tliis year, Randolph took the honors in every 
 class, and came home htden with medals and cer- 
 tificates of proficiency. One of the Examiners ex- 
 pressed his gratification that one of the " old names'^ 
 was again so distinguished. A newspaper, giving an 
 account of the exauiin.Mtion was sent to his friend 
 Mr. Dewy, nnd elicited a highly complimentary Jet 
 ter, in which he affect ionatciy urged him not to sac^ 
 rifice his health to his studies. 
 
 In the summer of 1859, Randolpli took the higli- 
 est prize at the High School — the " gold medal ''— 
 besides many smaller prizes. Mr. McGuire, the 
 Principal of the High School, having been asked 
 by a brother Clergyman who of the boys he had 
 under his cliarge he considered the most gifted, 
 replied: "Take him altogether, Rajidolph Fair- 
 fax." What were his own private thoughts at this 
 intoxicating period of his life, we learn from his 
 diary, the existence of which was unknown even to 
 his parents until after his death, when two little 
 manuscript books were found among his papers, 
 endorsed " Private.'' In this record of his daily 
 experience we find the following entries of this 
 date : 
 
 *'I fear that my worldly occupation? are fast drawing my heart 
 
12 SKETCH Oh THE LIFE Oi< 
 
 from God; that, in my eagerness to be prepared for my school 
 examinations, I forgot the great examination which my soul must 
 stand at the bar of God. Oh, that I could despise the things of 
 thiswoild; could lay aside all my v;iin ambition, and have the 
 glory and service of God as my chief ambition and desire. How 
 little are these vain honors compared with the crown of glory ! 
 Oh! that I could estimate them aright, and could see myself as God 
 sees me ! Oh, Father have mercy upon me for Christ's sake ! " 
 
 Again, on Tuesday, 2lst of June, we find the fol- 
 lowing record : 
 
 " oil ! that I could always bear in mind that I must one day stand 
 an examination before the Judge of man ; but especially now, while 
 ray scholastic examinations are proceeding. I should not allow them 
 to draw my attention from Heaven, but continually remind me of 
 that final judgment. Oh! if I should then be found 'wanting ! 
 Oh ! Father, grant me Thy grace, keep me from falling, and let not 
 eflch day pass in forgetfulness of Thee, to whom I owe all my 
 blessings." 
 
RANDOLPH TAIRFAX. 13 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 Randolph at Unioersiiji of Virginia'-Profrssoi' Ilinors P raver- 
 Meeting — Influence of Frofessort — Graduation — Rules for sjiend- 
 ing Sundai/. 
 
 From the High School Randolph went to Din- 
 widdie Academy, in Albemarle. We have but 
 few facts in relation to this year of his life, except 
 the most satisfactory testimonials of his good con- 
 duct and proficiency in his studies. He commenced 
 a new diary at this era of his life, in which we lind 
 the following record of his estimate of himself, 
 which is in striking contrast to the golden 0})inions 
 his conduct won from his teachers, school fellows 
 and associates : 
 
 " October lytb, Iso'.^. 
 "Oil, I'atlier, iu eoninieiicitig to record the leelings of my la-art, 
 preserve me from all hypocrisy, enable me to deal with my heart 
 in sincerity, and keep me from being deceived in a matter of so 
 much importance as the salvation of my stjul. Although I profess 
 to be a servant of God, I feel that my conduct is liitle different 
 from that of an unconverted soul; that I have not the t-ingle eye 
 to God's glory, and that love to Christ, producing love to all man- 
 kind, which befit a true Christian. My sinful, deceitful heart is too 
 much engrossed in worldly Cares, and the god self is worshipped 
 instead of my Maker. Oh, God, keep me from such vile ingrati- 
 tude as to spurn the offers of my ble.-^sed Siviour, and of render- 
 ing Thee the hollow service with which I have formerly been con- 
 tent." 
 
 In the fall of 1860 Randolph matriculated at the 
 University of Virginia. His diligence and success 
 in his studies is sufficiently attested by the fact that 
 he graduated with distinction the first session in 
 French, Latin and Mathematics. He does not seem 
 to have been so engrossed by his studies as to have 
 negleeted the culture of his soul. He availed him- 
 self gladly of the means of grace within his reach. 
 
14 BKErCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 Among these was a Bible Class, taught by Profes- 
 sor Minor, who, though a Professor of the Law, 
 is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, and whose 
 Bible Classes for students in the Chapel of the 
 University, and for servants in his own Parish 
 church, furnish a pleasing example of the manner 
 in which our literary laymen may lay their laurels 
 at the foot of the Cross. It is a matter of devout 
 thankfulness to Almighty God that the influence of 
 tlie Professors at the University of Virginia has 
 been for so many years so decisively a Christian 
 influence. It is a fact well calculated to arrest the 
 attention of careless young men, and to encourage 
 those who have already commenced a Christian 
 life, to see men eminent in all the walks of science 
 and literature casting the weight of their authority 
 into the scale of Christianity. It is believed that 
 there is not a Professor at the University of Vir- 
 ginia who would not gladly make his attainments 
 tributary to this great end. 
 
 From his relative, Julian Fairfax, we have just 
 learned some interesting facts, illustrating Ran- 
 dolph's life at the University. The Christian Asso- 
 ciation was very flourishing at this time, and Ran- 
 dolph was a very efficient member of it. By this 
 Society the College, including the dormitories 
 proper, and the boarding houses in the neighbor- 
 hood were hiid off in districts. In each of these, 
 pra}er-meetin.£i:s were held every week, and Ran- 
 dolph was a regular and active attendant. By the 
 example of his daily life, no less than by his fer< 
 vent prayers, be preached the Gospel. Committees 
 were sent out by tlie x\ssociation to hold regular 
 services at destitute places in the vicinity of the 
 University. One of these visited the Poor House, 
 about two and a half miles from college, and read 
 the scriptures to the poor, with brief exhortations 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX 15 
 
 and prayers. When Randolph conducted the meet- 
 ing, he prepared himself by fervent prayer and care- 
 ful study. His public prayers were earnest and ap- 
 propriate, and his addresses serious and impressive. 
 
 In Nov. 1860, two military companies were formed 
 and tendered their services to the Governor. Ran- 
 dolph was a member of the Southern Guard. 
 These companies, with the volunteer companies of 
 Charlottesville, celebrated Jefferson's birthday by 
 a grand parade. During the parade news came of 
 the attack on Fort Sumter, whereupon a grand sa- 
 lute was fired. Two days afterwards these com pa- 
 nic's volunteered to accompany the Charlottesville 
 companies to Harper's Ferry. Randolph was very 
 anxious to go, but he was restrained by a letter 
 from home, telling him not to go until he was or- 
 dered ; and he yielded, as he had ever done, his 
 wishes to the will of his parents. 
 
 It was while a student at this institution that he 
 inscribed in his diary the following rules for spend- 
 ing the Sabbath : 
 
 " 1. Perforai niv usual dovotious and read the chapter for the 
 Bible Class. 
 
 2. After Bible Class attend Church, spend the time till dinner 
 in examination, reading and prayer. 
 
 3. After dinner read till p-ayer meeting, and, after prayer meet- 
 ing, walk with a Christian coinpaniou, and endeavor to make the 
 conversation as suitable as poss'.ble to Sunday. 
 
 •i. After supper attend Church, or spend the time in reaiiiio', 
 contemplation, &c. 
 
 5. Endeavor at all times to remember that it is precious time, 
 and to guard against indolence." 
 
 It was during his session at the University of 
 Virginia that the State of V^irginia seceded from 
 the United States, and most of the students with- 
 drew and volunteered in the army. Randolph was 
 anxious to follow their example, but, in deference 
 to the wishes and remonstrances of others, he was 
 induced to remain until the end of the session. 
 
10 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Jlllitayy School at the Univerxity The Battle of Manassan — ii'a»- 
 dolph ejilists in the Rockbridge Artillery — His letters from the 
 Armii — His contentment arid cheerfulness — Incidents of Camp 
 Life in Fairfax — Review of Stonewall Brigade— Sir James Fcr- 
 gitsso7i — Crossing the Mountains — Gen. Johnsoi^s compliment to 
 the Brigade — Jackson's Farewell, (be. 
 
 During the vacation, the University was con- 
 verted into a military school, and Randolph passed 
 from the groves of the academy to the campus mar- 
 tins. In the meantime the battle of Manassas was 
 fought, and then the University became a hospital. 
 Randolph assisted in receiving and nursing the 
 wounded soldiers, and could no longer resist the 
 call to the field of battle. He repaired to Manas- 
 sas Junction and enlisted, as a private, on the 12th 
 of August, 1861, in the Rockbridge Battery, then 
 commanded by Captain (now General) Wm. N. 
 Pendleton, and afterwards by Captains (now Ma- 
 jors) McLaughlin and Poague, and more recently 
 by Capt. Graham. For our knowledge of his career 
 as a soldier, we are indebted chiefly to the familiar 
 letters of himself and his mess-mates, from the 
 camp letters, written upon scraps of paper in pen- 
 cil, and with the off-hand freedom of a family cor- 
 respondence. Randolph's letters contain a continu- 
 ous description of Jackson's wonderful campaigns, 
 as they appeared to a boy of 18 years of 
 age in tlie ranks. This is a point of view 
 from which we do not often look at the 
 evolutions of armies. This fact, by itself, in- 
 vests these letters with interest. We shall repro- 
 duce copious extracts from them because they add 
 something to the materials of history, and are fit- 
 ted to do good, by their moral and religious tone, 
 their glowing patriotism and the spirit of content- 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 17 
 
 ment and cheerfulness which they breathe, in the 
 midst of the severest trials to which a youth so 
 gently nurtured could be exposed. His letters, too, 
 hastily as they have been penned, are characterized 
 by a vein of strong common sense unusual in one 
 so young, and by uncommon sagacity in speculating 
 upon the probable objects of movements in the 
 army, from August 12th to October '61, describe his 
 first impressions of Manassas Junction, which any 
 one who visited it during the winter and fall of '61, 
 would recognize — his walk to Centreville in a 
 drenching rain, over the late battle-field, and his 
 enlistment in the Rockbridge Battery — enumerates 
 his mess-mates, among whom are Kinloch Nelson, 
 Jim Garnett, L. Macon, L. Blackford and "other 
 nice fellows' — his visits to his old friends of the 
 IVth Virginia; his pleasure at hearing the familiar 
 voices ot Bishop Johns and the Rev. Mr. Walker, 
 on two successive Sundays ; his experience in cook- 
 ing — his amusement " in seeing , with his 
 
 sleeves rolled up, wasking dishes and making up 
 bread"— makes light of the so-called discomforts 
 of camp-life— describes a review of the Virginia 
 troops and presentation of flags by Governor 
 Letcher — a review of the Stonewall Brigade by 
 Generals Johnson, Beauregard and Smith, in the 
 presence of two members of the English Parlia- 
 ment — Sir James Fcrgusson and the Hon. Mr. 
 Burke — the concentration of troops at Centreville, 
 and the construction of breastworks — the marcli- 
 ing and countermarching to Fairfax Court House 
 and Centreville — the picketings at Mason's, Mun- 
 son's and Upton's hills — rejoices in the open air 
 and active life, and expresses the opinion that with 
 a little precaution, suggested by common sense, a 
 soldier, if he has a good constitution, ought to bo 
 more healthy than other men. He represents his 
 
l8 SKETCH OP THE LIFE OF 
 
 experience of camp as very pleasant so far, and he 
 has no desire to be an officer. " My situation is 
 the more desirable of the two — I have none of an 
 officer's cares and responsibilities — I have as ao-rec- 
 able companions as I have ever had at school or 
 college — have as many privileges as I desire, and 
 live as well as most officers, and better than many. 
 The additional honor is very little in my opinion, 
 as my experience has shown me that epaulets are 
 not always criteria of merit. The attraction of 
 office would not induce me to give up the agreeable 
 society and companionship, and light duty of my 
 present situation." He then bewails " the desola- 
 tion of Fairfax, where barren fields, dilapidated 
 houses and old camp grounds testify to the rava- 
 ges of war;" and concludes with the lamentation, **I 
 am afraid poor old Alexandria will never raise her 
 head again." 
 
 The summer holidays, and drills, and dress pa- 
 rades were now passed, and he was called to look 
 at the more serious features of "grim visaged war.^' 
 Jackson had been assigned to the command of the 
 Valley, and had taken leave of his old brigade in 
 a characteristic speech, concluding with, the now 
 historical passage, ''You were the first brigade in 
 the Army of the Shenandoah, the first in the Army 
 of the Potomac, the first in the 2d Corps, and the 
 first in the affections of your commander." Jack- 
 son's command consisted of his old brigade, some 
 thousands of militia, and Ashby's cavalry. In a 
 letter dated the l2th of November, Randolph 
 says: 
 
 •' Last Friday we marched from 6 A. M. to 7 P. M., stoppiug only 
 to water the horses — marching 25 miles, of which I walked 22 ; 
 slept that night in a barn— next d ly crossed the Blue Ridge in a 
 drenching rain. Many of the rae>i were drinking and disorderly — 
 reached Berryville that evening, and were quartered in the Court 
 House. I and three friends were hospitably entertained by Dr. 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 19 
 
 Kovirii?lar, and actually slept in feather beds without taking cold. 
 We started the next day (Sunday) just as the Church bells were 
 ringing, and marched to Winchester." 
 
 November 24th, he writes : 
 
 '* Our camp ia pretiily situated an;ong some cedar knolls near 
 Winchester, and \3 occasionttllv enlivened bv the presence of the 
 ladies." 
 
 He speaks of the hospitalities of the Wiliiams' 
 and the Barton's, both ©f whom had sons in the 
 battery. He says : 
 
 *' I cm hardly realize that this is Sunday, so different from the 
 Sundays of former day^. ELow little did I think, last year, when 
 I \v:AS enjoying those deligiitful Sundays at home, thj.t i fchould 
 ever spend one in such circumstances. There is, uufoi 'unitely, 
 too much truth it^ the saying, 'there is no Sanday in war.' But 
 Sunday here is perfect enjoyment to what it was at Centreville, 
 where the chief difference between it and other day.<>, seemed to be 
 absence of drills. Yesterday was my 19th birthday, and it makes 
 me quite patriarchal to thir.k of it. I Suppose the Lieut. Fairfax, 
 mentioned in the capture of Mason and Slidell, is tbe person who 
 was our cousin Donald, for I do not care to recognize the relation- 
 ship any longer." 
 
20 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 The Winter Campaign to BiUh and /lancock — liin Furlough — 
 Vint to Richmond ajid. return to Camp at Cedar C)'tek — Th« 
 Battle of Kernstovm — Retirement up the Valley — The Battle of 
 McDowell — Dr. Dabnei/s Sermon. 
 
 We continiie our estra^is fi-om Randolph's c®r- 
 respondcnce, January, 18G2 : 
 
 •'Lf^aviug Wiuchester on t'le first and iriiirohuiir about 32 niilee, 
 we reached BaLli oii'the 4tli, 'aud driviug the Yankees out, fol- 
 lowed them to the rivyr. That nifj^bt, and luost of the foUowiBg 
 day, our B.ittovy was engaged in fii ing at the town of Hancock, 
 on the other side of the Potomac, and at the Federal batteries. 
 I suppose our movement vvas a feint- to cover GiHiam's operations 
 towards Capon Bridge. During this trip my patriotism was put to 
 a severe test, by marching through the mountains over the icy 
 roads as smooth as glass — bivouacking at night in tTie snow, and 
 rolling the heavy guns up the slippery steeps by day. On the day 
 we left the Potomac we marched from ten o'clock in the morning 
 till twelve at night, and only made seven or eight miles. Even 
 then we did not reach our wagons and had to sit around our firea 
 one of the coldest nights I ever felt. The next day we overtook 
 our wagons about sundown, and pitched into a good supper which 
 our cook had prepared for us, having been without food, save a 
 morsel by the way, for thirty six hours. Three roads meet here 
 leading to Romney, Winchester and Martinsburg, either of which 
 we may take. ' * 
 
 Jackson took the road to Romney, and in the 
 meantime Randolph, being determined to re-enlist, 
 got his first furlough and visited his family in Pach- 
 mond. When he returned to the field his command 
 was encamped at Cedar Creek, about two nsiles 
 from Strasburg, Jackson having evacuated Win- 
 chester and retired from tlje Yalley. 
 
 The following is his account of the battle ©f 
 Kernstown : # 
 
 " On the 22d of March, much to^our surprise, we took up the 
 line of march towards Winchester' I suppose the object of the 
 move was to keep Banks' force in the Valley. We met the ene- 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 21 
 
 my at Kerustowu. The battle began about two o'clock, and raged 
 fiercely until night. Our force was not more than 3,500 infantry, 
 cavalry and artillery, while that of the enemy was more than 10,0(0. 
 On our way to our pociition our Battery had to cross a wide open 
 bottom exposed to the fire of the Yankee artillery. Several shells 
 exploded near u.=, disabling one of our guns. Just before we got 
 into position a shell passed through one of the wheel horses of our 
 third piece and into the other, where it exploded, tearing ofl'the 
 legs of the driver and the foot of a man walking by the gun. It 
 was a horril)le sight to see the mangled horses and men Iving help- 
 less on the ground. We got into position about three o'cloeds, and 
 were firing until it was nearly dark. The infantry had by this time 
 •fallen back nearly to our position^ and our gunswere turned to 
 pour canister into the Yankees so soon as they should appear on 
 the edge of the woods. The position was unluckily a bad one, as 
 they were able to come too near under corver of the woods. Con- 
 sequently our fire was not so effective as it otherwise would have 
 been, although we lejirned afterwards that it was very destiuctive. 
 The Yankee Captain, Sciniher, says in his repoit: 'that the Rebels 
 advanced their heavy battery (that was our'.s) which threw some 
 well directed shots in our (Yankee) battery, and our cavalry and 
 infantry on the slope of the hill, soon rendering it evident that the 
 Rebel battery would have to be taken.' 
 
 " This explains the advance of the Yankee infantry on our flank. 
 The Yankee Captaiu furthi-r says, 'that the canister from our bat- 
 tery strewed the gioiind with dead acd dying., and broke the in- 
 fantry that was "charging us.' 
 
 "Our drivers being raw hands we were so long limbering up that 
 two of our men were wounded, on« of our horses struck in three 
 places and his mate in one. In this state we drove off the field 
 while the minnie balls were flying at a most uncomfortable rate, 
 and succeeded in getting our piece into a little hollow in the woods, 
 where our worst wounded horse fell dead. Discovering that we 
 were now beiween the lines, our Lieutenant ordered us to cut the 
 traces and make the best time in getting away, which we did in 
 Bull Run style. I hated nrghtily to lose our old piece. It was 
 one taken at Manassas, and one of the best of our six pounders. 
 It is some consolation to think that we got it off the field and only 
 left it when onr horse wa-^ kiL'ed and there was no time to put in 
 another. I havn great reason to be thankful to God for my preser- 
 vation, and that of my friends. My only trust in such times of dan- 
 ger is that I am v'utirely in God's hands, and He will preserve me 
 "Until His own good time. Our piece was the last to leave the field. 
 "I escaped with a bullet hole through the skirt of ^ny coat. Our 
 men acted very gallantly. One of our mess received a letter from 
 
 his father, Mr. of "Winchester, saying that the 
 
 enemy's loss, as estimated by a person who visited the hospitals, 
 
 was 800 wounded and 500 killed — while our killed, whom Mr. 
 
 helped to bi;ry, numbered 85, and our wounded in the ene- 
 
22 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 my's hands 92. Our total loss in killed and wounded was about 
 4-25. I am told that the battle of Kernstown is considered in 
 Kichmond a victory, and I suppose it was, since we inflicted a 
 heavier loss than we suffered, and gained our object in keeping 
 their large army occupied by our small one. Our army has been 
 increased in numbers since the battle by recruits and drafts from 
 the militia. The night after the batt!e we encamped about four 
 miles from the field, and leisurely began our retreat the next day 
 iihout ten o'clock, eating our dinner at Cedar Creek, and then 
 m-Arching to our old camp ground, about two miles above Wood- 
 stock. The Yankees are at Edinburg on the other side of the 
 river, and our guns are sent down every few days and have artil- 
 lery duels with them," 
 
 Jackson soon resumed his retreat up the Valley, 
 and reaching Harrisonburg turned towards the Blue 
 Kidge, and crossing the Shenandoah took his posi- 
 tion in Elk Run valley, near Swift Run Gap. Here 
 t!ie troops were exposed for several days to heavy 
 rains without tents^ On the 16th of May, Randolph 
 writes from the foot of Shenandoah mountain, 
 whither Jackson had gone to meet Milroy advan- 
 cing from towards Monterey : 
 
 "Since my last letter, we have been constantly moving. In 
 two weeks we have been in the counties of Rockingham, Albe- 
 marle, Augusta, Highland and Pendleton, crossing the Blue Eidge 
 and Shenandoah mountains twice, and have fought a battle on the 
 western slope of Bull Pasture mountain, at McDowelL From the 
 nature of the ground artillery could not be used on our side. While 
 the battle v^as proceeding on the top of the mountain, we were in 
 Camp on this side. The fight began just before sundown and lasted 
 until nine o'clock. Our Brigade marched up the mountain juat 
 before the fight commenced, and was then marched back about 
 five miles to camp to cook. It was again sent for, and the firing 
 ceased just as we reached the top of the mountain the second time. 
 This movement of Jackson's was a great surprise to the Yankees, 
 who left behind many tents and Rtores, and destroyed more. There 
 are so many gorges and defiles in these mountains that the pursuit 
 of the enemy must be slow and cautious or our victory would have 
 been more fruitful. I think it probable our next destination will be 
 Harrisonburg, where, uniting with Ewell, we may, by God's bless- 
 ing, drive the Yankees out of the Valley. 
 
 "I was much pleased with a sermon preached for us last Monday 
 by Dr. Dabney— the day set apart by Gen. Jackson as a day of rest 
 and thanksgiving. The services were held within hearing of the 
 enemy's guns and were impressive. Dr. Dabney's view of the war 
 
ilANDOLrn FAIRFAX. 23 
 
 was that it was a visitation of God upon us for our sins, and that 
 it would not cease until the purpose of God was accomplished — that 
 is, uiinil our people repent and turn to God ; or else it may ceas0 
 for awhile, and when our cup of iniquity is full more terrible pun-^ 
 ishments may come upon us. He also said, that God sometime.* 
 uses a more wicked instrument to punish a more innocent one, bnt 
 that the punishment of the more wicked instrument would surely 
 fall .sooner or later, with terrible vengeance. He spoke of the 
 Babylon of the North and predicted its downfall and destruction. 
 His view is, tb.at nations, as they cannot be punished iu the nt- xt 
 world are punished in this for national sins — a view I think entirely 
 coinciding with the Bible. I think the fate of the country is now 
 in the hands of the praying people, and though I cannot see how or 
 when, I ])clieve (iod will certainly answer the prayers of His faithful 
 people in t!ie land. I believe I have not told you of the new di.-<cipline 
 of our army. We have come to be veterans — have no tents, carry 
 our knapsack and blankets, never ride on caisson'', obey orders 
 implicitly without enciuiring the why or wh.erefore, and, in ca.-^o of 
 necessity, can live on half rations and not think it anything r<> 
 markabie. When expecting a fiuht our rations are six hard rrack- 
 ers and a quarter of a pound of pork a dav." 
 
24 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 Battles of FrooH Royal and Winchester — Puvfuoit of the Yankees to 
 the Potomac — Prisoners and Spoils — Yankee Breastplates — Fre- 
 niont and Shields. 
 
 Randolph's anticipations were realized. Jackson 
 went in pursuit of the Yankees in the Valley. In 
 his next letter dated the 27th of May, 1862, our 
 young friend says : 
 
 "Last Friday we made a forced marcli from Luray to Front Roy- 
 al, a distance of twenty-seven miles — surprised the Yankees sta- 
 tioned there, (two regiments with cavalry and artillery) took the 
 town, with a large amount of quartermaster and commissary stores, 
 and about 700 prisoners and two pieces of artillery. And all this 
 with the loss of only two or three killed and wounded. The Yan- 
 kees left in such a hurry that they did not have time to burn two 
 fine bridges which they had just built across the two branches 
 of the river at that point. By a strange coincidence one of the 
 Yankee regiments was the 1st Maryland, who came into contact 
 with our 1st Maryland, who completely routed the Yankees, cha- 
 sing them througli the town, and taking their camp and colors, 
 and a good many prisoners. Nearly all the remainder of the regi- 
 ment, with their Colonel, Lieut. Colonel, Major and many captains 
 were brought in that night by the cavalry. The next day we 
 marched on towards Winchester and then struck off to the left to 
 get into the Valley turnpike at Middletown and cut off the Yankee 
 forces at Strasburg. We captured at Strasburg many prisoners 
 and a large amount of medical and other stores, and I have heard 
 a battery of six guns, that was escaping by a by-road to Moorfield. 
 "This last I am not quite certain about. Our cavalry also cap- 
 tured almost the whole baggage train of the Yankees, consisting of 
 hundreds of wagons. Puvshing on all tliat day and all night without 
 the least rest, driving the Yankees before us, we reached Winches- 
 ter a little before daybreak. Here the Yankees made a stand and 
 while we attacked them in front, Ewell's division attacked their 
 leit flank, on another road. The battle began at early dawn and 
 lasted about two hours and a half, when by a general charge our 
 men drove the Yankees from their position, completely routing 
 them and chasing them at a double quick through W inchester. 
 Such a rout has not been seen since ManasSa ; arms, knapsacks, 
 blankets and ail sorts of accoutrements, were strewn along the 
 route of their flight. We pressed them for five miles beyond Win- 
 chester, but the broken down condition of our troops compelled 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 25 
 
 the infantry to stop. The cavalry contuiued the pursuit. It i.s im- 
 possible for me to form an estimate of our captures. I know thar 
 our loss is small, and the n umber of our pri^■oncrs must be n^nr 
 3,000; the amount of stores, ammouiTion, &c., is very larg'\ We 
 were exposed to a hot fire from some siiarp-sliooters behind a stone 
 wall, as v\-ell as a h-^avy a.tiliery fire. I'oor Boh McKim and an- 
 other was killed, and we have sixteen wounded. It is only through 
 the blessin^cs of God that none of us were hurt. Our passage 
 through Winchester was perfectly glorious. Tlie pavements were 
 crowded with women, cliildren and old men, waving their handker- 
 chiefs, weeping for joy and shouting as we passed at double-quick. 
 Our troops were loaded with Yankee plunder, and rigged out in 
 Yankee clothes to such an extent, that an order forbidding 
 it was issued, lest it might lead to fi ing on our own rnen. 
 Most of our spoils fell to those ii^rho luergcd behind, as thos in front 
 had no time to stop. Among other things Ciptured was a wagon 
 load of lemons and one ot cake. The lemons were reserved 
 for the sick, but the cakes were disposed of in sliort order. Among 
 the spoils 1 have s.en two Yankee brenst-platrs that so much li s 
 been said about. 'I'hcy were of difll'rent patterns ; one a sini]>le 
 steel plate, and the other lud points and came down over thejiips. 
 Unfortunately for the owners they had no plates behind, where 
 they were most needed. We are now resting. Yesterday was ob- 
 served as a day of thanksgiving. It is impossible to tell when or 
 where will be our next move." 
 
 On the very next day after this letter was writ- 
 ten the old brigade, with Carpenter's and McLaugh- 
 lin's (the Rockbridge) batteries moved towards 
 Charlestown. While our forces were finishing up 
 their work on the Potomac, intelligence was received 
 that Shields was moving from Fredericksburg, and 
 Fremont from the west, with a view of concentra- 
 ting in Jackson's rear, and cuttino- him off with his 
 prisoners and spoils. Accordingly our army began 
 to fall back up the Valley on the 30th of AJay. 
 Ewell had been sent to hold Fremont in check at 
 Strasburg, and the retreat . continued to Harrison- 
 burg, with a caravan of prisoners and booty in 
 front, and the eagle-eyed Ashby guarding the 
 rear. 
 
26 BKETCH or THE LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER YTT. 
 
 The Baltlca of Cross Ketfn and Port R('j.tuhlif — />«// of ThanK-.^- 
 (living — Dr. Dabnoi/\s Sennou — The Holy Communion. 
 
 The stirring events immediately succeeding, we 
 will allow our young soldier to tell in his own 
 \\'0rd8 : 
 
 'Cami* nkAr Pout Republic, } 
 «'June Ut\ 1802. \ 
 "DkaPv Mama : I have already told -you how complotely we were 
 Furprii^ed last Sunday. We were all lyiug quietly in camp, ex- 
 pecting to have a day of peace and rest, when we were startled by 
 the pound of cannon in our front. A scene of the utmost confusion 
 ensued. The wagons were p;icked and our pieces hurried forward 
 PR fast as the liorsos Could be hitcliod. We took position on a 
 commanding hill, opposite Port Republic, from which we could see 
 the Federal columns coming np the road on the other side within 
 easy canson range. After a brisk cannonade, we drove them back 
 in confusion. Our position was such that they could not bring their 
 cannon to bear upon us, so that all the fir'ng was on our side— a 
 kind of fighting which we all agreed was decidedly the most plea- 
 sant we had ever tried. This was the advance of Shields' army, 
 consisting of three or four regiments wiiich had pushed on rspidly. 
 It is said that Gen. Jackson, whose head-quarters were at the Port, 
 was iRforn)cd of their appearance only a few minutes before they had 
 actually posted their guns around the town, and he narrowly es- 
 caped being taken prisoner. The General had just crossed the 
 bridge, when he saw a Yankee gun come down the road on the op- 
 po.-ite side and take position so as to command the entrance to the 
 bridge. Taking it for one of our guns, he called out, 'Limber up and 
 coHie over or the enemy will get you.' The Yankees looked sur- 
 prised, and then turning their gun i^pon the General, iiiformed him 
 of their true character by firing a shot et him. One of our p'cccs 
 happening to arrive at the t'me, and putting in two well-directed 
 ghots, ccmpelled the Yankees 1o abandon their piece which was 
 afterwards secured by us. Sooa after this little affair we heard 
 cannonading to our rear, which was the opening of the battle be- 
 tween Fremont and Ewell's division, our rear guaid. Tl e battle 
 raged all day, and we anxiously listened to eveiy shot to tell by 
 the found which side was gainii g g'ourd. The sus; mse was aw- 
 ful, for we knew that if onr torces were driven back our retreating 
 army would be assailed by the force in our rear, and probably be 
 cut to pieces. Towards eveaing, to our great joy, Ave could hear 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. J V 
 
 the report growing more aud more (.li.^taiiL, uial «e soon knew that 
 the enemy hud been rcpnlscd. I nn<]ers!;'nd that our centre wa.s 
 posted upon :i strong hill which the cneray attacked in front. Tiiey 
 led regiment after regiment to the charge and were as olten driven 
 back bj murderous vollej s. Only a part of our force was engaged 
 in this flght ; Our brigade and Gen. Taliaferro's were kept to guard 
 tfae bridge, and some otliers were held in leferve. That right we 
 were brought over to the east-side of the rivtr to e«mp, lully ex- 
 pecting to return and attack Fremont with our whole force in th« 
 morning. But, to our .^urpiisc, we were led against the enemy on 
 that side, while the remainder of our forces, who had held t^l^ir 
 position during the night, were drawn back to onr support and the 
 bridge burnt to keep the enemy from following. 
 
 Some blame Jacksou for not attacking i'lemOrt instead ot 
 Shields. Bui I thinly he pursued the wiser course. If we had at- 
 tacked Fremont and been defeated, there was no saie way of re- 
 treat, and uo General should go into battle without providing a 
 way of retreat in Case of defeat. In the Monday's fight with 
 Shields, we had about five or six thoujand. The enemy's foret 
 was about eight thousand. The battlo began !?oon aftu' daylight, 
 and after a long Caiinonado, chietiy by il.c enemy ; during which 
 t:me oi.r right wing moved around through the woods so as to flunk 
 the Yankee petition. Our left wing, consisting of our battery and 
 some pieees Irom other batteries, with Several regiment? of infan- 
 try, advaroeci io the attack. We were met by almost tlie whole 
 force 01 the enen y, and, alter a hard struggle, we were compelled 
 to fall back, li se<.ms that our advance was nn.de too soon, so 
 that inite.'.d ol having our right win^ op' rating in conjunction with 
 u«, the enemy were able to meet us with an overpoweri-.ig force 
 and drive us back before our right wa-? ready to attack. Our bat- 
 tery was posted in an open wh<-at field, exposed :o fiie from infan- 
 tiy'and artillery. We could .^ee and hear the balh Cutjting through 
 the wheat on tvery side, but strange to say, we escaped with but 
 few casualties. Nothin<: but tliO mercy of God Lept us irom sui- 
 l»ring^severely. As we drove off the fieid, 1 th.ouglit the day was 
 lopt, but Soon we heard the firmg on our right and our wing re- 
 turned as soon as the regiments could rally. The ccmplctc rout 
 of the enemy soon followed, and five splendid guns and five hun- 
 dred prisoners were (alien. Arid all this was done in sight of Fre- 
 mont's army which just then appeared on the heights, on tf.e op- 
 l^o.-ite side of the river, but too late, as theie was an nnfoidabie 
 ri^er between us. Our army was drawn back to Brown's Gap, by 
 an oM mountain road, the knowledge of which was the key to our 
 whole Svicccas, For had avc been forced back by the «-ame road 
 we came, we would have been shelled to pieces by tho Yankee 
 guns on the opposite side of the river, Just as we had shelled them 
 on this day. Our cav;ilry followed th^ enemy for tea or twelve 
 miles and came up with the baggage train ; all of which would have 
 been captured, Some think, if poor lamented Ashby had iflk there 
 
26 SKETCH OF TffiE LIFE OF 
 
 to lead theui. I have not been able to ascertain definitely, but I think 
 Our loss could not hare exceeded 500 Avounded, though I see a 
 newspaper exaggerates il to 500 killed and 1,000 wounded. I 
 think that papers that print every idle report they hear are the 
 Curse of our country. Fremont has fallen back to New Market 
 and we are resting. Yesterday, June 14th, by special order, ser- 
 vices were held in the regiment, eiviiig thanks for our victories and 
 prayers for further blessings. I heard a delightful sermon from 
 Dr. Dabney yesterday evening, and another this morning. This 
 evening the sacrament of the Lord's supper is to be administered 
 and I hope I may be able to attend. It is such a comfort and a 
 great cau^e for thank-igiving to have such a Christian aS Jackson 
 for our General. I have known him when obliged to fight Or 
 march on Sunday to set sipart another day for rest and divine ser- 
 vice. And when other Generals would have continued marching 
 I have known him to lie by and rest on Sunday. Xo wonder the 
 blessing of God attends his army in such a signal way. 1 thank 
 Gi'd for the glorious success, as He alone cau be consi^lered the 
 author of it. I also thank Him gincrel/ tor my presorv^^ition d,]. 
 rino- the ti>ri,t," 
 
RANDOT.PFI PAIFFAX. 29 
 
 CITAPTER VI [I. 
 
 JocksorCs on to Richmond — Hh flank m^venimt on McClellan at 
 the bdttle of Malvern Hill-^r- Randolph strnck by a fragvtent of 
 shell — His return to Gordo7isville — Battle of Cedar Run or 
 ^lauf/hter''s Mountain — Retreat — Forward movement — Shelling at 
 Rapj>ahannock — Flank movement on Pope — Battle at Manassas 
 — Adva7ice into Maryland — Capture of Harper^ s Ferry — Pro- 
 I'o.st Guard at Martinsburg. 
 
 Jackson now flew swooping down from the moun- 
 tains like an eagle upon McClellan's rear on the 
 Chickahominy, and in cooperation with Lee won the 
 series of brilliant victories around Richmond which 
 have made the names of Coal Harbor, Gaines' ^[ill, 
 and Malvern Hill historical. The battery to which 
 our young friend belonged was held in reserve 
 until the bloody fight at Malvern Hill. He writes : 
 
 " For an hour, we were exposed to tlie heaviest artillery 
 Are I ever saw. Shot and shell seemed to pour over in one 
 successive stream, and hurst in our midst. We lost two killed and 
 ten or twelve wounded in our company. I was struck by a piece 
 of a shell on the collar bone, but fortunately received from it only 
 a bruise which put me on the disabled list yesterday. It was only 
 through God's mercy that our loss was not greater. Numbers were 
 struck by frai^ments of spent shells which did no serious injury. 
 The poor iTth, of Alexandria, I hwar siiffei-ed severely. Hector 
 Eachcs, Chiirley Whiting and Colonel M^ye were taken prisoners. 
 We drov« the enemy step by step, capturing many prisoners and 
 much artillery. I prr^- that God will continue to prosper our ar- 
 mies until our enemies are entirely overthrown. Don't trouble 
 yourself about my promotion. I am' content where I am, and per- 
 haps it itj best for me to remain where I nm. 1 would not feel right 
 in accepting a posiion that would take me out of active serviae. 
 God again in his meicy has preserved me, and none of my Jriends 
 were severely hurt, for which, and His orher mercies, I owe Him a 
 life of gratitude, and pray for grace to lead it." 
 
 After three days' leave of absence, which he spent 
 with his family in Richmond, Randolph joined his 
 battery at Gordonsville, and writes on the 7th of 
 AuQfust : • • 
 
'^0 .SKSiCli UF THE LIBE OF 
 
 *' Jiulgiiig from appear iipcos. both fiiics are gathariug their forces 
 for a decisive struggle. I h;ive no doubt of the r( solt if the Yan- 
 Jvees will only fight us." 
 
 His next letters of the lltli and l3th of August 
 give an account of Jackson's advance intu Culpe- 
 per, and the battle of Slaughter's Mountain. He 
 says : 
 
 *' Three pieces of our battery, were under a very hot 
 fire, but it susiaiued uo injury. Gai>r.val Winder, our brigadier, 
 was standing by one of our guns wkeu ho was struck. His death i« 
 a great loss to us, as he v/as one of our lirst officers. Major An- 
 drews, chief of artillery of our divisiou was seVQ;reIy wounded and 
 tell into the enemy's hands. Out br'gade fought splendidly, and 
 was complimented by General Jackson who said they had always 
 done well, but this time gloriously. A panic is said to have seized 
 aome of the troops which exposed the fiuiikof some regiments and 
 led to disorder and lo&S. Our victory v.as complete. The enemy 
 asked for a flag of truce to bury their dead. The force engaged 
 on our side was the 1st, 2d and 8d brigades, one brigade of E well's 
 aud several of Hill's, wiiich came up during the tighi. We were 
 suiprised at our fall back to Gordousvillc, after our victory. But 
 Jackson has some plan in liis head. After again leaving Gordons- 
 ville to advance on Pope, we met with no obstacle until we reached 
 the river. The long siege guns of our battery were engaged in an 
 artillery duel with the Yankee batteries on the other side of the 
 river. After several days skirmis! in^jand unintelligible mauouvres 
 we crossed the river at a'lother fc.ril without any opposition. We 
 then marched day and night, rtachiiig Manassas Junction on the 
 .3(»th day, taking the Yankees by surf.n,-:e. It is wonderiul how sue- 
 cessful Jackson is in his movemenis. We effected a march along 
 the entire flank of the en«iny and r<?achpd his rear without Ids knowl- 
 edge. Just after reaching Manassas we «(iw a brigade of Yankees 
 sent from Alexandria to check the supiosed c ivalry raid, filing 
 down the opposite hilis. Tlicy advanced int)eautiful line of battle 
 up into a semi-circle formed by our infantry and artillery concealed 
 in the valley until our artillery opening upon their flank aud rear, 
 they discovered their iflistake i(nd retired precipitately. If I may 
 presume to criticise, ic seems to we that if we had sufiered them to 
 advance furth. r and then closed upon them with our infantry we 
 should have captured the whole lot, but as it was, w^e took many 
 hundred prisoners. At Manassas Junctioa a large amount of stores 
 were taken and destroyed. That night we marched by the light of 
 the burning depot and cars in the direction of Sudley chureh. We 
 had now been marching three days and three sights, with only 
 about four hours sleep during our march. Nothing but exhilaration 
 at 00 unwonted success kept us up. Here we were at Sudley 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX 31 
 
 Church with about 2i),000 men, witk Pope iu our front, and a hirge 
 force advancing from Alexandria on our rear. Well n^ight the 
 Yankeei tiiink they had ns iu a trnp. But we privates with eutire 
 confideuco iu our generalt', were inblisslul iguorance of our danger. 
 For two day^ by niai.aMiveriug and Ughting we kept tliem back «u- 
 til about the middle of tin' pci-ond day '.ve saw the long expected 
 Longstreet advancing ou oui- right. At one time we were com- 
 pletely cut olf, and four successive couriers from LongstFi^et to 
 Jackson were captured, but the fifth got through .with the glad tid- 
 ings of his' approach, and Jackson is said to have gra>ped fa's hand 
 iu jov at his coming. The next day (Saturday) about three or lour 
 oV'lol'k the enemy attacked us ana were driven back at ev^ry 
 point. We had a sp'endid vii-w ot the battle fiom a hill oq wliica 
 our battery was po ted. It wa> the grandest sight that T over »aw. 
 Aitillery was blazing^ froiii fv» ry rig« iu the valley below, sheila 
 bursting in every direction — batteries and liorsemen galiopir-g over 
 the held in pursuit ; while away off on our right, we could s 'e t];e 
 long line of Yankee infantry drawn up to oppose Longstro^t, and 
 sheets of smoke bursting front their guns. Soon a cloud of praoke 
 enveloped the plain, and we could only hear the successive roar of 
 artillery and rattling of the musketry, gradually becoming more 
 and more distant. I don't think I ever saw such a di.«proportien 
 in losses — ours being comparatively light, theirs very heavy." 
 
 The Rockbridge Eattej-y accomparied Jackson 
 an the march to Maryland from Manassas, and on 
 his return to Martinsbiirg to clear out the Yankees 
 in our rear, and wliicli resulted in the capture of 
 Harper's Ferry, with valuable stores and munitions, 
 and 11,000 prisoners. The gun to which Randolph 
 belonged with two regiments of infaatry was left 
 in Martinsburg as Provost Guard and was sent 
 while there to destroy a bridge near North Mountain 
 Station. Finding 'the Yankees in too great force 
 for them, they only toie up the railroad track and 
 returned to Martinsburg, In a letter fiom that 
 place dated September the l4th, he says: 
 
 "The prospect of a little rest he'-e is truly delightful. We have 
 now,'' he adds, " been Tuore than a month without a change of 
 clothes ; either marching or fighdng nearly every day, and sleeping 
 wiihout shelttr. We have been reduced to a degree of raggedness 
 and dirt that 's scarcely tolerable, and the worst of it is we had no 
 chance of getting our baggage which was left at the Ri^ppahan- 
 nock." - ^ 
 
32 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 In the aame letter lie speaks of the good conduct 
 of our troops in Maryland — tlie strictest discipline 
 having been maintained. In reference to the sen- 
 timents of the Ma-jdanders lie says : 
 
 *' There are numbers of the people who would receive us gUdh 
 and avow their sympathies for the South, were they assured tliat 
 we would keep posissssion of the Strite." 
 
RAisDOLrH iAIRFAX. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Ba'ile of Shar}nburfj—Str«igfjlinff— Battery Iran ff erred to Col. J. 
 T. Br9icn's llegiment of Reserve Artillery— March to Port Roy- 
 al — Battle of Fredericksburg — His last letter — His JJeaih — Lt. 
 Col. Lewis Coleman — Lieut. McC9rkU^Berkelei/ Minor — L. 
 Hyde-T. McCorkU. 
 
 On the 3rd of October, 1862, he writes from camp 
 near Bunker Hill : 
 
 *«Tbc army is now resting and beiag re-organized. It is unfor- 
 tunate that wo could not have continued active operationis, but it is 
 iaipostfiblc The men are ragged and bare'boted, and the ninks so 
 reduced by stragghng that we could only bring half our force into 
 the flold. It is shameful. There wai not half of our army engaged 
 in the battle of Sharpsburg. The .icoundrels were strangling over 
 the country and eating out the hospitable farmers on their way, 
 while their comrades were beating hack McClellan. I don't thiuk 
 we eould have had more than 40,000 men engaped at Sharpsburg, 
 and yet we repulsed the enemy. Bat as the more we drove them 
 back the betier their position became on the slope* of the mouu- 
 taint, it was clearly ottr policy to fall back." 
 
 On the 20th and 22nd of October, 18G2, Randolph 
 says : 
 
 "Wc have beea transferred to the Regiment of Col. Thomp^ion 
 Brown,'whichx;onstitutes the Reserve Artillery of Jackson's Corps. 
 We have thus dissolved partnership with the old First Brigade, and 
 we are all sorry to pait v.i'ii old friends, and dissolve a counection 
 which has existed from the beginning of the War. We have now 
 two spendid twenty pound Parrots. Such heavy guns are gene- 
 rally held in reserve. We think that our General intended the 
 change to relieve us from tkc active service in which we have al- 
 ways been engaged. 
 
 "Gen. Jackson paid us a high compliment at dinner at Mr. Dan- 
 dridge's, and said we deserved to have rest. The monotony ©f our 
 present camp life is relieved by drills, guard duty and cooking, and 
 now and then diversified by a corn-detail, when we have to ^o Ten or 
 fifteen ndles, and shuck out a tragon load of corn. I happened to 
 be on a corn-detail, during the late snow-storm, and we had a terrible 
 time of it working in the cold driving snow without gloves." 
 
 After a mareh of fifteen days, the Roekbridge 
 
SKETCH Or THE LIFE OF 
 
 ^ery encamped near Port Royal, on the Rappa- 
 „nnock river : 
 
 "The weather now," (Dec. 7tb,) he says, '^a inteusely cold, and 
 I am afraid many of our poor soldiers are suffering." "Oh, how I 
 wish,*' he adds, "that this cruel war would cease. I think when 
 peace is declared I shall be like a man just rele.^sed from prison or 
 a condeiimed criminal just receiving his pardon. May God bless 
 you and keep you ail." 
 
 His last letter, which was found in his pocket 
 after his fall, was written to his mother on the llth 
 ol December, the day after the battle of Fredericks- 
 burg opened : 
 
 "Remembering your injunction to write immediately after every 
 battle, I hasten to obey it and relieve you of any anxiety on my 
 account that may have been awakened by the engagemt.^nt of 
 yesterday at Fredeiicksburaf. We were on picket near Fort Royal, 
 and although eighteen milc-s distant, distinctly heard the cannon- 
 ado ; it was the moit continuous and rapid 1 ever heard, lasting 
 from lour o'clock till Sunset. I think the enemy must have been 
 repulsed once or twice, but at last succeeded in crossing the river, 
 and now have possession of Fredericksburg. They are, however, 
 no better off than they were before. We have heard firing again 
 this morning, up the river, but do not know what it is. 
 
 "The day before yesterday we had an affray with the gunboats 
 on the river below. Our battery WaS seat down, with the long 
 range guns. We only succeeded in getting five or six shots at a 
 boat passing up, bat our '2(i pounder, with a Whitiock gun, had a 
 sharp duel with five gunboats above. The engagement, I believe, 
 was harmless on both sides." 
 
 This was the last letter Randolph Fairfax ever 
 wrote. On the very next day, as the sun went 
 down, amid a gtorm of roaring guns and shrieking 
 shellsj he fell by the side ef the gun he had served 
 so well, and 
 
 "Death lay upon him like an untimely frost 
 Upon the fairest flower of all the field." 
 
 Rerkeley Minor, one of Randolph's most intimate 
 friends, in reference to the battle of Fredericks- 
 burg, says: 
 
 •*rhe eorapany never behaved better than on thid occasion, I 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 35 
 
 speak of my own personal knowledge of the second section, that is, 
 the two twenty pound Parrotts, with one of which Eandolph and I 
 worked, as the first was placed in a different part of the field by 
 Major Pelham. Lieut. Graham had commaud of that section, and 
 was highly complimented by Major Pelham. Our section was under 
 the most tremendous fire that any of the company had ever wit- 
 nessed. We Were in position about two hours only, but were un- 
 der fire long before we got into position. The fire was most terri- 
 ble about sundown. Then it wes that our doar friend fell. "We 
 had ceased filing for a while, when Gen. Jackson rode up and or- 
 dijted all the guns to be shotted and fired simultaneously, and con- 
 tinue firing as fast as possible. This, it appears, drew the fire of 
 almost all the enemy's guns, in range upon us. Such a shower of 
 shot and shell I never saw before aud hope never to see again. 
 This lasted until daylight was gone. After dark we brought oft 
 Our guns." 
 
 E. Hyde, saj3 : 
 
 "The piece of shell which was the cause of Randolph's death, en- 
 tered the corner of the left eye, killing him instantly." 
 
 T. McCorkle, who was at the same gun with Ran- 
 dolph, says : 
 
 "That same shell, of which a fragment struck Randolph, bad'y 
 woniidcd Lieut. Colonel Coleman and Arthur Robinson, of Baki- 
 more.* Gen. Jacksou had left the place wheie it exploded, a few 
 minutes betore. Lieut. McCorkle was near the same gUn, but was 
 not killed until shortly afterwards, Thomas McCorkle and Berke- 
 ley Minor bore Randolph's body off the field, and that night he 
 and Lieut. McCorkle were buried together by their weeping com- 
 rades, not very far from where they fell." 
 
 Lancelot Blackford, who communicates these 
 facts, says : 
 
 "Few of the victims of the war have been committed to the 
 earth on the field of glory, with more genuine grief than that which 
 attended the interment of those two young heroes on Saturday 
 night, the ISih of December, l862." 
 
 * '* Both of thesn have since died of their wounds. Coleman was Profer- 
 8or of Latin at the University of Virginia, and Robinson of the best blood of 
 Maryland. Both were Christians and died full of hope." 
 
36 SKiSTCH OF THE LIFE Of 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Tributes; of his Preceptor— Jlit Coinradts—Of kin Captain — 0/ 
 ih$ Coinifkander-in- Chief of the, Ar/iiy of Northcr^i Virginia — 
 Re». J. P. McGuire — Kinloch N'iUo'i — Lancelot Blackford — //. 
 Grahairt — Serft Macon — Berkeley Minor — Jos. P.ackard — (J apt. 
 Poagitc — Gsnerdl R. E. Lee. 
 
 We ha^e not painted an ideal portrait and writ- 
 tea the name of Randolph S^airfax upoa it. We 
 have done little more than classify the facts of his 
 short life, and weave thena into a continao*3 nar- 
 rative. We shall now oalj add a few te^JtioioniaU, 
 volunteered by his fellow students and fellow sol- 
 diers, who knew hitn well in times which try men's 
 souls, and where character develops itself as freely 
 as plants in the open air. 
 
 Rev. J. P. McGuire, says : 
 
 "I !UH glad to hr-ar that yoi ai-e prepxr'uii? a mkefcck of Randolph 
 Fairfax, persuadod tliat no wortliier subject eould occupy your peu. 
 # TF * # * # * 
 
 CoEflniug my reply to the eviquiriea contained in your let- 
 ter, let me begin by remarking that a true estimate of him 
 must be formed from the general tenor of his life, rather than 
 from any isolated iacideut. Hig character was throughout of 
 the highest order, and perhaps more remarkable fpr its ex- 
 quisite lini.-ih than for anything else. As a papil in the High 
 School, as a f?tudent, a Christian, there was a uniform consist- 
 ency—making one day of singular excellence but the represen- 
 tative of ail the rest, and giving to the whole a completeness 
 rarely equalled in its strength and loveliness. Intellectually 
 he was undoubtedly one of the first young men of his day. His 
 mind was strong and clear, undcrstftnding promptly and tho- 
 roughly whatever he studied. A first rate student, he acquired 
 knowledge rapidly and accurately, promising great success and 
 high rank in whatever department of intellectual labor he might 
 select. Morally, 1 have not known his superior. God endowed 
 him with a strange purity ot mind and heart by nature ; and 
 then to this added the grace of true religion. With a quick con- 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 37 
 
 science, aud a must sensitive regard to whatever was right, 
 whatever was proper and becoming ; be was ever ready to re- 
 siat the slightest offence against a stainless morality. How- 
 ever retiring and unassuming in his general bearing, he was, 
 nevertheless, constitutionally brave, richly gifted with that 
 moral courage, the want of which i:s often the great defect of 
 men of genius and even of galUut soldiers. Not the slightest 
 timidity was there; no hesitancy or avoiding of responsibility 
 where duty was concerned. Brave as Cssiar in the field of bat- 
 tle, he was not less so for truth and right in public and privrte, 
 in the most retired walks of life or amidst a crowd of gay and 
 thoughtless pchool buys, or the tempting fascinations of the 
 social circle. Nothing could exceed the mwdesty which threw 
 euch a charm around him ; nothing that native politeness, 
 that unselfish courtesjs which attracted to him so many de- 
 voted hearts, unless, indeed, it was this steadiness, this quiet 
 firmness with which he declined evil associatioi'S. and pre- 
 served the pniity with which his divine Lord had blessed him. 
 To this Heavenly grace it, of course, nrjst be ascribed that 
 he stood so " "learly in the light of viod," and reflected so 
 much of the Saviour's image. The uncommon purity and 
 blame'essness of his whole life cannot be accounted for with- 
 out looking to those spiritual influences which alone sanctify 
 the heart, and clothe life in the beauty of holiness. Early he 
 had, no doubt, received them from the God and Father of all, 
 whose blessed spirit quickens in life's early dawn more of the 
 children of men than we are apt to think. 
 
 * * * V^'ithout intending to compare him with 
 others, particularly among his fellow- students, for so many of 
 whom I have the highest admiration, and, hoping that I may 
 not be deemed extravagant, yet I may not hesitate to say, in 
 conclusion, that no nobler son was ever bom within this grand 
 old Commonwealth than Rnndolph Fairfax. 
 
 Kinloch Nelson, naw a Lieutenant of Ordnance 
 iu Kemper's Brigade, says : 
 
 '*Mv atqaamtan e with Randolph Fairfax commenced at the 
 High School, in the fall of 1857, where his modest manners, and 
 unselfish disposition, endeared him to all around him. There aa 
 intimacy begin between us, which the lapse of time only strergh- 
 encd, and wliich was broken bv the rude band of death alone. In 
 the next summer he became a member of the Episcopal church, 
 aud during the followirg five years I can trnly say, that I never 
 saw him guilty of a single act inconsistent with his profession. At 
 the University, we were constaatly together, and in the army we 
 
38 RKEICH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 were intimately associatotl as messmates, and he continued a faith- 
 ful Koldicr, alike of his countvv and of his God. He was among 
 the first to re-enlist in the spring of 1 SC2, and he never lost a day from 
 sickness or absence witlumt leave. At Malvern Hill, he was struck 
 on the chest by a frnonient of a shell, and turned to leave the field, 
 but when after walking a few steps, he found it was but a slight 
 wound, he returned to his post, aiid renuiined until the battery was 
 ordered to leave the field. In the patient endurance of all the 
 hardships of a soldier's life few equalled him— in unfaltering cour- 
 age, in that most trying arena, the battle field, none surpassed him. 
 Throughout that whole campaign which shed such an undying lus- 
 tre OH the name of Jackson— from the Ronmey expedition to the 
 fatal field Of Fredericksburg — none ever heard him murmur, none 
 ever saw him flinch? In all those trying marches, he was uncom- 
 plaining ; ahk»- under the frosts of winter and the burning suns of 
 summer; on all those bloody fields he was ever the model of a chris- 
 tian soldier. I know that none attain perfection in this life, 
 but I should iiisciibe upon his tomb "Mark the perfect man and 
 behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' " 
 
 Sergeant L. S. Macon, of tlic Rockbridge Battery, 
 now the Sheriff of Al))einar]e, who was one of Ran- 
 dolph's messmates, says : 
 
 "He was. ever the noble self-sacrificing boy who commanded the 
 admiration of all around him. As a soldier he was surpassed by 
 none. He never swerved from the path of duty, and he met dan- 
 ger even at the cannon's mouth, with unfaltering courage. As a 
 christian, he was sincere and consi;~teut ; conscientious in the dis- 
 charge of the duties of every post ; and from his daily life, there 
 was reflected a light which always makes an unraistakable'impreas, 
 but especially in the bloody strife of the battle field, and in the 
 daily intercourse of camp life. In many situations I have yeen him 
 severely tested, and in aU he evinced the same heroism. In cold, 
 hunger, or fatigue, I never heard him murmur. He was ever ready 
 to share his comfort, and partake of other's hardships. Truly it 
 may be said of him 
 
 ' He lives upon all memories, 
 
 Though with the buried gone." 
 
 Lancelot Blackford, also one of his messmates, 
 in delineating his character, says : 
 
 "That OTie of his most striking traits was his modesty. Of all 
 the people I have ever known, he did and said the least to advance 
 his own credit, and to draw attention to anything praiseworthy of 
 himself. A fit accompaniment to his modesty, was his singular 
 purity. In this respect he was in camp what he was in the com- 
 
RANDOLPH FA.IRFAX. Sd 
 
 pany of his mother and sisters. Certainlj 1 never saw the man 
 who was more free from the defilements contracted in the midst of 
 this naughty world. The pmnty of his speech and conduct, which 
 exerted such influence upon his companions, sprang from the puritj 
 of his heart ; which in him was 'the fruit of habitual abiding with 
 him of the Holy Spirit. Kan. was always attentive to religious du- 
 ties ; he had a well worn pocket testament, which was each day tlie 
 man of his counsel. I well remember how under the most advor.-o 
 circumstances, he always found time to read it ; and the solemn 
 earnest expression of his countenance when pouring over the sacred 
 pages. He lost his prayer book in the Potomac the night he 
 dropped his overcoat/blankets, &c. It was but seldom that we were 
 able to spend Sunday" appropriately. Sometimes, however, we 
 were quiet enough, particularly between the battles of Richmond 
 and Cedar Run. On these occasions, we spent Sunday as far as 
 practicable together, except when Divine service was accessible, or 
 we had prayer meetings. In our knapsack tent, we frequently road 
 together the whole or parts of the church service, including many 
 ot the occasional prayers and thanksgivings. We were both much 
 attached to the Liturgy, and took much pleasure in the use of it3 
 forms when unable to attend the public services of the church. 
 The hardships of the Bath and Romney expedition were great, and 
 the complaints of the men not unfrecjuent ; but he never complain- 
 ed. Such was his CiinrBCCer, whether undergoing hardships, or en- 
 during the scarcely le-s painfrd trial of performing the menial dutien 
 which fall to the lot of every private soldier, particularly in artillery 
 service. I have seen iiim when detailed as teamster from the l5th 
 of 4uly to the hist of August, after a fatiguing day's march, and just 
 as we were about to retire to rest, called up to go in the dark for 
 forage to feed his teams. Yet he bore all these exacting duties, 
 such as watering, feeding, currying, and harnessing horses, with 
 such equanimity and sweetness as to strike all his associates. The 
 refined gentleman made a first rate estler when the exigency de- 
 manded it, because he considered it incumbent on him to do hi* 
 duty in everything that became a soldier. We had few men who 
 were regarded as he was by our captain and other officers. This 
 was the subject of almost the last conversation I had with one of 
 them, 1st Lieutenant Graham. The point upon which all ofBceri 
 and men chiefly agreed in admiring him, was his unswerving de- 
 votion to duty, whether in camp or in action. Members of the 
 company in lamenting his fall, would remark with ernphasia ' what 
 a good soldier Fairfax was.' " 
 
 Berkeley Minor, says : 
 
 *' I knew Randolph Fairfax at the University quite well, but Hot 
 so intimately as I did after he joined this company, (the Rockbridge 
 Battery.) For several months before his death, I was his me^s- 
 mate and bed-fellow, and was able to note more fully the teue of 
 
40 SKITCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 fiiiruest piety that pervaded his words and actAon*. He was uusel 
 tish, modest', and uniformly kind and considerate to all. If there 
 was one trait in him more striking than others, it was his calm, 
 earnest, trustful demeanor in time of battle, resulting I believe from 
 his abiding trust in the Providence and love of God. Many fine 
 young men have been removed by death from the company, yet I 
 "do not think that any has been more deeply and universally lament- 
 ed than he." 
 
 Joseph Packard, another of his comrades, says : 
 
 *' His cheerful courage, his coolness and steadiness, made him 
 conspicuous in every battle field. At the battle of Malvern Hill 
 where he had received a wound, which nine out of ten would have 
 considered an excuse for retiring from the awful scene, he persisted 
 in remaining at his post ; and did the work of two, until ihe battery 
 left the field. But it was in the bearing ^nore than in the daring of 
 the soldier's life that his lovely character displayed itself. He never 
 avoided the most irksome and trying duties. If he had selfishaesa, 
 those who knew him long and well, as schoolmate and comrade 
 never discerned it. More than once I have heard his beautiful 
 Christian example spoken of by irrehgious comrades. When I 
 heard ofliis death, though only the bare fact was stated, I knew 
 that he had died at his post, in the path of duty and heroic self- 
 sacrifice. Bitter and inexplicable as may be the Providence which 
 laas removed one so full of proinlse of good to his fellows, I feel 
 that we may thank God, that we have been permitted to witness a 
 life so Christ like, terminated by a death so noble." ^ 
 
 Captain Poague, commanding the R©okbridge 
 Battery, says in a letter to his father : 
 
 " In simple justice to your son I desire to cxpre?is my high ap. 
 preciation of his noble character aa a soldier, a christian and a 
 gentleman. Modest and courteous in his deportment, charitable 
 and unselfish in his disposition, cheerful and conscientious in bis 
 performance of duty, and upright and consistent in his walk and 
 conversation, ho was a universal favorite in the company, and 
 greatly beloved by liis iriends. I don't think I have ever known a 
 young man uho.-'e lii'e was so fiee from the frailties of human na- 
 ture, a id whose chjiracter in all its aspects formed so faultless a 
 model for tliC imitaiion of others Had his influence been restric- 
 ted to ihe silent powtr and beauty of his example, his life on earth, 
 short as it was, woul I no' have been in vain. The name of Ran- 
 dolph Fairfax will not soon bo forgotten by his comrades, and his 
 family may be assured that tltere are many who, strangers aa they 
 ar^', deeply pympathisc with them in their bereavement." 
 
 The following from Gen. Lee will be a fit climax 
 to the foregoing tributes : 
 
FANDOLPII FAIRFAX. 41 
 
 Camp FREDfiRiCKSBURG, Dec. 25tli, 1862. 
 My De;U' Docfor : — 
 
 I have trrievel most deeply at the death of your noble sou. I 
 liave watched his conduct from the coinnionoeraent of the war, and 
 have pointed with pride to the patriotism, self-denial and manline.-s 
 of ch iracter he has exhibited. I had hoped that an opportunity 
 wouM have occurred for the promotion he deserved ; not that it 
 would have elevated him, but have shown that his devotion to duty 
 was appreciated by hi.s country. Such an opportunity would nn- 
 doubtcdly have Occ.irred ; but he has been translated to a better 
 trorld, for which his purity and his piety have eminently fitted him. 
 You do not require to be told how r^reat his gain. It is the living 
 for whom I sorrow. I he^ you will offer to Mrs. Fairfax and your 
 daughters, my heartfelt sympathy, for I know the depth of their 
 grief. That God may give you and them strength to bear this 
 great aftlic'don is the earnest prayer of your early friend, 
 
 R. E. LEE. 
 
 Dr. Orlando Fairfax. 
 
 An enthusiastic soldier after reading Gen. Lee's 
 letter exclaimed : "Such an honor were indeed worth 
 dying for." Another soldier not less enthusiastic 
 said : " The original of this letter if addressed to 
 me under similar circumstances, I should preserve 
 as the most precious I eyer received — a thing to be 
 handed down to the latest posterity — a testimonial 
 which a stranger would regard centuries hence as 
 in itself a Patent of Nobility." 
 
42 SKETCH or THE LIFE 01- 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Analysis 0/ his Character, its Sijuiwetvii, its Root — Tht Man of the 
 World and the Christian — Faitli and Sense — His Standard — E't- 
 tract from, one of hin Essays — The Ground of his Hope — His 
 Diary, 
 
 Lord Bacon sajs a man that is young in years, 
 may be old in lioiirs. The subject of this sketch 
 lived just twenty years and twenty days. If we 
 measure his life by years, it was short, and we may 
 say of him that he came up and was cut down like 
 a flower. If we measure it by the number of erents, 
 it was long, for it was crowded with events. To 
 have been in one great battle for his country is an 
 era in a man's life never forgotten, aud to which 
 he always refers with pride. Randolph Fairfax in 
 the space of sixteen months, was in ten fierce bat- 
 tles and many intervening skirmishes. To have re- 
 ceived the approbation of his teacher, taken the 
 honors of his school, and won the hearts of his fel- 
 low students are not common events. To have at- 
 tracted the attentioia and elicited the commendation 
 of his commanders, is an honor to the soldier in tke 
 ranks. But to hare won the iinauirnons applause 
 of his comrades, not merely for courage in action, 
 patience in suffering and for uniform devotion to 
 duty, but to have gained their esteem and affection, 
 by all those nameless graces which beautified his 
 daily life in camp, is a higher honor still. If we 
 analyse his life and character, to detect the secret 
 of his popularity and success, we shall not find it in 
 the prominence ©f any one or two traits. Some 
 men had as much genius — others as high culture — 
 some as fine a person — others as much modesty, 
 piety, sweetness of temper and gentleness of man- 
 
RAN DOLPH FAIRFAX. 43 
 
 ners. It was, tliat these elements were so mixed 
 in him, as to make his character round and sjm* 
 ruetrical." if we search for the germ of sueh a 
 cliaracter we sliall find it to be a deeply rooted re- 
 ligious principle, of which his life was the normal 
 derelopment. IFe seemed to have, we learn from 
 his diary, an habitual sense of Jthe presence of God — 
 hearinjj; his word, witnessing his actions and look- 
 ing at his heait. lie lived as in the great task- 
 ftiaster's eye. Tliis is the essential difference be- 
 tween a (■hristiaH and a man of the world. The 
 worldly man only looks at things tangible, visible 
 and temporal, lie has no perce})tion of spiritual 
 things, lie sees only by the light of his naural facul- 
 ties. Faith is the evidence of things not seen— it 
 passes the bounds of scus« ami imparts to invisible 
 and eternal tilings the life and 4)0 wer of waking 
 certainties and actual existences. This is the victo- 
 ry that overcometh the world, even our faith. 
 
 Again, our young friend, as we see by an inspec- 
 tienof his diary, did not measure himself by any 
 human standard. lie daily looked unto Jesus. 
 His model was "God manifest in the flesh." He 
 aspired after conformity to His image, who did no 
 sin and yet died for the sins of others. As Ran- 
 dolph himself says, in a manuscript essay which 
 now lies before us : 
 
 "Where caa we find such an example of courage in doing 
 duty as in the life of the 'raan of sorrows' who endured the 
 cross, despising the shame? Truly this is an example to fol- 
 low, though we may never attain, till, perfected by him, we 
 sit down in His kingdom." 
 
 • TotKn Tereifiut Rofundv!^. 
 
44 SKETCH OF TMK LIFJS OK 
 
 CHAPTER XIT. 
 
 ^Vo bu'ompatcihiflti^ hf-tiveen the Llfn of the Soldier and that of the 
 Christiajt- — Courage and Vhrispianity compatible — Uhe highest 
 ti/pe of hrave.ru h the maii who fears God and vho has no oihtr 
 fear. 
 
 Randolpli Fairfax adds another to the many plea- 
 sing illustrations famished by this war, of the truth, 
 that there is notliing incompatible between the life of 
 a Christian and that of a soldier. Indeed, other 
 things being equal, a conscientious Christian should 
 make the best soldier, fie will not straggle from the 
 ranks, skulk his dnty nor desert his colors. Although 
 war is in general inconsistent with the genius of 
 Christianity, and wars of ambition or covetonsness, 
 for conquest or subjugation, are specially wicked as 
 to those who are responsible for them ; yet, even in 
 such cases, it may be incumbent on a christian citi- 
 zen to take up arms in obedience to the powers 
 'Hhat bo.'' When soldiers asked John the Baptist 
 what they must do, he did not raise a question as to 
 the lawfulness of war in general, or of the particular 
 wars in which they were enlisted, but dismissed them 
 with the comprehensive precept — Do violence to 
 no man, and be content with your wages — that is — 
 do your duty without murmuring and without any 
 wanton violation of the rights of others. As to 
 defensive wars, it seems to be generally agreed that 
 the J are lawful. The same instinct that prompts 
 an innocent bird to defend its nest and its helpless 
 young, justifies man in defending his home, his wife 
 and his children — his rights of person and of pro- 
 perty against lawless aggression. And the soldier 
 who fights and falls in such a cause, not only obeys 
 instincts which are a law of nature, but is a martyr 
 to principle. 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 45 
 
 Such examples also prove that Christianitj and 
 courage are not incompatible. There is a vulgar 
 notion that a Christian must needs be a coward. 
 This notion is founded upon the error that he ouly is 
 the brave man who resents every insult with blows 
 or with arms. According to this notion, a game- 
 cock is the bravest of animals and a vulgar bully 
 the bravest of men. But the truth is, that fighting 
 of itself is no proof of courage at all. On the con- 
 trary, it is often the result of cowardice, having no 
 higher motive than the jeers and scoffs of other 
 men. This deference to opinion is one of the most 
 powerful motives of human conduct, and sometimes 
 screws the- courage of the most abject cowards up 
 to the lighting point. Many cowards would face 
 the pistol or the cannon, and quail before the finger 
 of scorn pointed by men whom they despise. If we 
 were called upon to define a brave man, we should 
 gay of him that he was a man who fears God and 
 who has no other fear. That such were the prin- 
 ciples of Randolph Fairfax, we learn from an essay 
 on moral courage, written by him before the war, 
 in which he contrasts the death of a soldier, sacrifi- 
 cing his life on the field of battle from a mere sense 
 of honor, with the death of a Christian martyr, dy- 
 ing from a sense of duty : 
 
 "The soldier," he says, "encouraged by the shouts of his 
 comrades and the stirring blasts of the bugle, aad knowing 
 that a more certain death and di.-'grare awaits him should he 
 yield to the base impuLsqs of his nature, may perform prodi- 
 gies of valor, and, rushing through storms of shot, meet death 
 at the cannon's mouth. Contrast him with the martyr who, 
 rather than abjure his faith and d part from the path of duty, 
 endures the scofT'S of a misguided rabble and dies a death many 
 times more terrible than that of the soldier. How vastly su- 
 perior is the courage of the man who surmounts all difficulties 
 and braves all dangers from a sense of duty." 
 
 These principles our young friend not merely 
 
Aij SKETCH or THE LIFS Of 
 
 maintained in theory, but he illustrated them in his 
 life and sealed them with his blood. 
 
 He only lived but till he was a man. 
 The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed, 
 In the unshrinking station where he fought ; 
 , But like a man he died. 
 
 One might well suppose that a young man so 
 much admired, beloved and lauded as we have 
 seen that Randolph Fairfax was, by his fellow-stu- 
 dents and fellow-soldiers, would be likely to have 
 more of the spirit of the Pharisee than of the Pub- 
 lican. But it would seem that the higher a man rises 
 above the earth, and the nearer his vision of God, 
 the deeper is his insight into his own heart. When 
 we only hear of God by the hearing of the ear, we 
 may have a good opinion of ourselves, but when we 
 see"^ him with the eye of faith we abhor ourselves, and 
 repent in dust and ashes. That this was the case 
 with our young friend, will appear in the daily re- 
 cord of his experience made when he was alone 
 with God, and which he never dreamed would be 
 seen by the eye of man; for no one knew of its ex- 
 istence until after his death. We make a few more 
 extracts from it, which are a fair sample ot the 
 whole book : 
 
 *' How little do 1 know of mysoif, oh God ! I know that 
 my heart is deceitful above all things, and I pray Thee to 
 make it known to me, that I may cast all the burden of my 
 sin upon Ohri.-t, and obtain a new heart. Oh, Father, reveal 
 thyself to me, through thy Son, and shed abroad thy love in 
 my heart. Let me not deceive myself by any appearance of 
 holiness, but may I forget those things which are behind, and 
 press forward towards Thee. Oh when shall I cease sinning 
 and be truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit ? My heart is 
 not influenced as it ought to be by the love of God, or how 
 could I find it so hard to serve him ? Oh God put thy fear in 
 my heart, and let not the fear of man keep me from my duty. 
 Oh reveal thyself to me and show mo my deep sinfulness, and 
 show me, also, my Saviour on the cross, and enable me to go 
 to him. Wean me from this sinful world ; soften my heart, 
 
RANDOLPH FAIRFAX. 47 
 
 and give me a single eye to thy glory. Grant me grace to 
 keep all my good resolutions, not trusting in my own strength, 
 which is weakness, but in thine almighty aid, which can 
 make me truly one of thy servants, although I am so sinful." 
 
 Again : 
 
 '* Another Sabbath is past, and how have I improved my 
 opportunities ? Have I grown in grace ? My soul sinks 
 within me when I reflect upon these questions. I have sinned 
 against the great majesty of God in not worshipping him with 
 my whole heart. I have partaken of the Holy Communion, 
 and I hope to the good of my soul ; but if not, how great is 
 my danger ? Do L love God, or no, is a questioa which tries 
 my very heart. Oh God, if I have never loved thee before, 
 help me to begin to-day. Oh, how hard my heart seems. I 
 can think of God, but he seems like some great being afar 
 off, whom I can never reach. My faith is so small. Oh re- 
 veal thyself to me ; my heart is so proud and sinful, and so 
 much actuated by the praises of men. Oh God, humble me 
 in the dust — teach me to know myself, and make thyself 
 known to me through my crucified Lord. Make the union 
 between thy spirit and mine closer and closer." 
 
 Such was Randolph Fairfax's estimate of himself 
 when alone with God, whoso all-seeing eye was 
 shining through hira, revealing every mote to his 
 own eye. While the mouths of others were ring- 
 ing with his praises, he laid his hand upon his own 
 mouth in the dark, and cried, '' God be merciful to 
 me, a sinner." Such is the history of a private in 
 the ranks, which we dedicate to the privates of the 
 Confederate army. May they follow the example 
 of his life as he followed Christ, and may his death 
 inspire them with renewed devotion to the cause 
 which drew from his bleeding heart its last libation. 
 
 How glorious fall the Taliant, sword in hand, 
 
 In front of baUlo for their native land ; 
 
 iiut, oh, what ills await the wretrh that yields — 
 
 A recreant outcast from his country's fields. 
 
 The mother whom he loves shall quit her home, 
 
 An aged father at his side shall roam ; 
 
 His little ones shall weeping with him go, 
 
 And a young wife participate his woe ; 
 
 Whil& scorned and scowled upon by every face, 
 
 They pine for food, and beg from place to place. 
 
48 SKETCH OF THE LIFE Oi 
 
 l^taio of his breed — dishonoring manhood's form— 
 All ills shall cleave to him. Allliction's storm 
 3hs.ll blind him, wandering in the vale ol teara, 
 "Fill lost to all but ignominious fears ; 
 PTe shall not blush to Icnve a recreant's name, 
 And cliildren, like himself, enured to shame. 
 
 But ire will combat for our fathers' land, 
 And we will drain the life blood where we stand, 
 To s-ive our children. Fight ye side by side, 
 And serried close ye men of youtliful pride, 
 Disdaining fear, and deeming liglit the cost, 
 Ol life itself in glorious battle lost. 
 
 Leave not our sires to stem the unequal fight, 
 "Whose liinb^ are nerved no more with buoyant might 
 Nor ligging backward, let the younger breast,- 
 •Pcrm^'^ tiie man of age, (a sight un))lessed,) 
 To welter in the combat's foremost thrust, 
 nis hoary head disheveled in the dust, 
 Aiid venerable bosom, bleeding, burst. 
 
 lot youih's fair form, though fallen, is ever fair, 
 And beautiful in death the boy appears; 
 The hero boy, that dies in blooming years ; 
 Ib man's regret he lives, and woman's tearsj 
 More sacred than in life, and lovelier far 3 
 Fer havlnj perished in the front of war. 
 
M^