A brief History of Bedford County
Bedford County is located in southwestern part of the state of Virginia, between the cities of Roanoke, to the West, and Lynchburg, to the East. It is bounded on the North by the Blue Ridge Mountains with the majestic Peaks of Otter, and on the South by Smith Mountain Lake, and on the East by the James River.
Long before the coming of European explorers, native American Indians lived here, at least as far back in time as several thousand years B.C. The initial explorers in the 1600's reported finding tribes of Saponi, Tutelo, and Monacan.
The English colony of Virginia was divided into eight shires in 1634. The shires were subsequently subdivided into large counties, and then smaller counties. Bedford County was formed from Lunenburg County by an act passed Dec 13, 1753, to take effect on 10 May 1754, with the seat of government to be the community of New London.
The County was named Bedford, in honor of John Russell, the fourth Duke of Bedford, who was Secretary of State of Great Britain at the time.
Settlers came to Bedford to farm and to exploit the natural resources of timber and fertile lands, well watered by springs, creeks and streams fed by rains coming off the mountains.
Lula Jeter Parker, in _Parker's History of Bedford County_, records that "Campbell County was taken from Bedford County in 1782. Again, in 1786, Bedford gave of her territory for the formation of still another county, Franklin, to which Henry County also contributed". See description at History from Hamilton's & Viemeister - Books on-line gives description of Parker's book.
The county seat was moved in 1782 from New London, then near the Bedford-Campbell border, to a more central location, with a new log courthouse, on land donated to be the new Town of Liberty.
In 1786 John Lynch obtained charter to start a new town on the James River, which later became the City of Lynchburg.
In 1806 President Thomas Jefferson began construction of the octagonal summer retreat home, "Poplar Forest", on land inherited decades earlier by his late wife.
Much of the manual labor on the farms and plantations was done by slaves. From Slaves to Satellites notes that "In the 1850's, some 69% of all landowners owned slaves." See Slavery to Satellites - 250 years - Excerpts
_Historical Diary of Bedford_ records that on April 1, 1852 the Virginia & Tennessee railroad ran an excursion from Lynchburg to Forest Depot and back.
War between the states encompassed people of Bedford. A History of Bedford County (in the 1884 Hardesty's Encyclopedia) says "When the Richmond convention passed the ordinance of secession, April 17, 1861, Bedford County citizens enthusiastically ratified the action of their delegates to that body. The services of three Bedford companies were the first in the State tendered and accepted by Governor Letcher after the call for troops, and nine companies were in the field before the close of May, 1861." More info at History from Hamilton's & Viemeister - Books on-line gives description of this book, which contains some family histories and a roll of Civil War soldiers..
An estimated 15,000 Federal Union army soldiers, commanded by Gen. David Hunter and intent upon capturing Lynchburg, streamed over the Blue Ridge between the two Peaks of Otter, came into Bedford in June 1864. They skirmished to the outskirts of Lynchburg but "Hunter's Raid" failed its objective. The Peaks of Otter Life and Timesexplains. "General Hunter believed that the Confederate forces in the city were too strong for his tired and hungry men. The next day he retreated, followed by Confederate snipers, losing one hundred men as he passed back through Liberty and on into West Virginia." See Excerpts from The Peaks of Otter - Life and Times
Slavery ended during the war. After enduring a tedious economic recovery after the end of the Civil War, Bedford industry flourished in the 1890's and tourists enjoyed the mountains and resort hotels. Liberty changed its name to Bedford City. Excerpts from the 1887 _Sketch Book of Liberty, VA_
Bedford County escaped harm during the first World War, but agonized during World War II, as hundreds of its young men were casualties of battle. D-Day extracted a terrible toll: 19 Bedford men died on Omaha each in the D-Day battle at Normandy.
After peace returned, businesses prospered. A dam was built on the Staunton River, creating Smith Mountain Lake, which reached full pond in 1966. The lake stabilized electricity production and became a powerful lure for retirees and vacationers.
The legend of the Beale Treasure reemerged in national media. For more about the legend, click on Hamilton's & Viemeister - Excerpt from _The Beale Treasure_
Restoration began on Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest home.
The strong postwar economy had fostered growth in Roanoke and Lynchburg, and many city workers chose to make their homes in Bedford County, a place admired for its natural beauty, low taxes and low cost of living.
During the 1980's and early 1990's, Bedford was one of the faster growing counties in Virginia. As the population swelled, newer residents stimulated the need for more schools, more roads, and more law enforcement, changes which caused local government to expand and taxes to rise.
Now, Bedford is proud to be the site of the new National D-Day Monument. President Bush was one of 22,000 people at the dedication on 6 June 2001.
Genealogists can find family information by visiting the Courthouse and the Bedford City/County Museum
Historian Peter Viemeister is a resident of Bedford and author of _Start All Over - An American Experience_.
http://www.28thvirginia.com/contents.html
28th VIRGINIA INFANTRY
CO. D
This is the original flag issued to the 28th Virginia Regiment.This flag was replaced by the Confederate Battle Flag in 1862.
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28th Virginia Infantry
This is the flag of the 28th VA INF regiment. State flags were often used in the early days because the Confederacy had not supplied all units with Confederate Battle Flags. The history of the Virginia state flag is the Bonnie Blue flag with the star replaced by the seal of the Commonwealth. The seal, which had been adopted during the Revolution represents the goddess Liberty striking down an allegorical tyrant, his crown dashed to the earth. Both seal and flag display the Latin motto "SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS" which translates as "Ever Thus to Tyrants." The symbol which had been adopted as Virginia's response to monarchical and parliamentary tyranny in the 1770's would serve as her reply to aggression in the 1860's. In slightly modified form, the flag of 1861 still serves the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The 28th Infantry Regiment completed its organization in Lynchburg, VA in June, 1861, Its members were raised in Botetourt, Craig, Bedford, Campbell, and Roanoke counties. After fighting at First Manassas, the unit was assigned to Gen. Pickett's, Garnett's, and Hunton's Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment was active in the campaigns of the army from Williamsburg to Gettysburg except when it served with Longstreet at Suffolk. The 28th moved to North Carolina, then was on detached duty at Richmond. It fought at Cold Harbor, the Petersburg trenches, and was engaged in various conflicts around Appomattox. The regiment consisted of around 600 men in April, 1862 and reported 40 casualties at Williamsburg and 47 at Seven Pines. 12 were killed at Manassas and 52 were injured, 8 were killed and 54 wounded during the Maryland Campaign, and, of the 333 engaged at Gettysburg, half were disabled. Many were captured at Sayler's Creek, and 3 officers and 51 men surrendered on April (, 1865. The field officers were Colonels Robert C. Allen, Robert T. Preston, and William Watts; Lieutenant Colonels Samuel B. Paul and William L. Wingfield; and Majors Michael P. Spessard and Nathaniel C. Wilson.
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Company Motto
Duty, Fame, Love and Wealth may desert us but......
Erieland's HONOR shall be Eternal"
The 38th Battalion Virginia Light Artillery
Virginia's
Southern Sons of
Saint Barbara
1862 - 1865
A Brief History of the Battalion
The batteries that made up the 38th Battalion were the Fauquier (Co. A), Richmond Fayette (Co. B), Hampden (Co. C), and Blount's Lynchburg Artillery (Co. D). Each battery had initially different areas of operation before joining together in Dearing's Battalion. Among the early individual battle honors were First Manassas, Jackson's Valley Campaign, the Peninsula, Richmond, and 2nd Manassas.
Following reorganization as a battalion in November, 1862, the battalion saw service at Fredericksburg and began serving in George E. Pickett's division during the Suffolk Campaign. Under the incredible leadership of Major James Dearing, the battalion became a formidable arm of Lee's Long Arm. From Suffolk, the organization, now designated as the 38th Battalion, followed Pickett to Gettysburg, participating in the grand barrage before the famous charge; and into North Carolina at the Second Battle of New Bern. Later attached to Hoke's division, the battalion fought at Plymouth, Drewry's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor, and in the nine months of trench warfare at Petersburg. After participating in the offensive against Fort Stedman, the battalion was cut off from the Army of Northern Virginia near Appomattox. Though some men of the battalion surrendered with Lee, the majority of the 38th continued on to Lynchburg where they were disbanded.
The Richmond Fayette Artillery
A Brief History of the Battery
Organized initially as the "Richmond Light Artillery" on May 3, 1821, this company was later renamed in July, 1824 to the "Richmond Fayette Artillery" in honor of the Marquis de La Fayette's visit to the United States. Early captains included Robert Nimmo, Charles Richardson, and Henry C. Cabell, under whom the battery was organized for the war on April 25, 1861. Formerly Co. F, 1st Va. Vols., the battery had also been associated with the 1st Regt. Va. Arty as Co. I and Co. H. Early battles for the battery included the Yorktown Line and Williamsburg. Independent by the reorganization in 1862, the battery served under Capt. Cary Macon. Transferred to Major General Geroge E. Pickett's Division, the battery began to see an upgrade in activity beginning with the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862 in an undesignated battalion under the command of Major James Dearing. By the close of 1862 this battalion was assigned the title of the 38th Battalion Va. Lt. Artillery. From Gettysburg, the battlefields of North Carolina, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, the Richmond Fayette Artillery served with distinction. Finally, in the retreat from Petersburg, the battery, being in the van guard of Lee's army, escaped capture at Appomattox, only to spike their guns near Bent Creek near Lynchburg, Virginia. Either near Lynchburg or Fincastle, the battery, along with the remnants of the 38th Battalion, were disbanded.
For more detailed information on this company, and the men who fought in it, I recommend
The Richmond Fayette, Hampden, Thomas, and Blount's Lynchburg Artillery
by Robert H. Moore, II
Available from
The Virginia Regimental Histories Series
Or Can be Obtained through:
The Fauquier Artillery
A Brief History of the Battery
Originally Co. G, 49th Va. Inf., the company was organized June 22, 1861, as the Markham Guards, enlisting July 1, 1861. The company was detached from the 49th in September or October, 1861 and served as Capt. Robert M. Stribling's Battery. Reorganized May 12, 1862, the battery was assigned later in the year to the 38th Battalion Va. Lt. Artillery. Following the reorganization of the artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia in October, some men and equipment were assigned from Captain John R. Johnson's Bedford Artillery and Capt. Arthur L. Roger's Loudoun Artillery. Many members that transfered from the Bedford Artillery were subsequently transfered to Blount's Lynchburg Artillery (Co. D) or the Purcell Artillery later on. Captain William C. Marshall assumed command as captain following the promotion of Stribling to major on March 11, 1864.
For more detailed information on this company, and the men who fought in it, I recommend
The Brooke, Fauquier, Loudoun and Alexandria Artillery
by Michael J. Andrus
Johnson's Bedford Artillery
A Brief History of the Battery
The Bedford Artillery was a company that faced nothing but disappointment and missed opportunities. From the date of the unit's conversion from infantry to artillery, almost one full year elapsed before the unit finally became engaged in a full-scale battle at Second Manassas. Less than a month later, the Bedford men took a beating at Sharpsburg and suffered horrible casualties. Partially as a result of the battle and the reorganization of the artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia, the battery was disbanded and reassigned in October, 1862. While a good number of men were reassigned to the Purcell Artillery, a large number were also reassigned to the Lee Lynchburg Artillery.
For more detailed information on this company, and the men who fought in it, I recommend
The Charlottesville, Lee Lynchburg and Johnson's Bedford Artillery
by Robert H. Moore, II
Blount's Lynchburg Artillery
A Brief History of the Battery
Originally enlisted as Capt. Henry Gray Latham's (not re-elected) Battery on April 23, 1861, this battery later came under the command of Captain James G. Dearing (later promoted to major) when reorganized on April 3, 1862. The final commanders being Captain Joseph G. Blount (promoted to major, Oct. 1864) and Captain James W. Dickerson. Some of the men from the Bedford Artillery were later transfered to this battery. The battery was later assigned to the 38th Battalion Va. Lt. Artillery by the close of 1862.
For more detailed information on this company, and the men who fought in it, I recommend
The Richmond Fayette, Hampden, Thomas, and Blount's Lynchburg Artillery
by Robert H. Moore, II
Richmond Enquirer April 29, 1864
THE BATTLE OF PLYMOUTH
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The following is a list of casualties in the 38th Battalion Virginia Artillery, in the engagement near Plymouth, N.C. 18th, 19th and 20th April 1864, Major J. P. W. Read commanding:
Field and Staff, none
Fauquier Artillery, Capt. W. C. Marshall, commanding
KILLED:
Sergeant F. W. Powell
Private Wm. H. Riley
WOUNDED:
Lt. T. M. Archer, thigh severely,
Corporal P.P. Thomas, knee and chest
Pr B. Bowery, thigh; severely
H. J. Pritchard, thigh, slightly
M. Weaver, leg broken
Richmond Fayette Artillery. Lieutenant B. H. Robinson, Commanding
KILLED
Private John Ronke
George A. Benton
WOUNDED
Privates James Barnes, foot amputated
Richard B. Dowden, back severely
Thomas Lillas, face, severely
Edwin Cocke, left arm, severely
William A. Allen, leg amputated, mortally
William H. Robinson, abdomen, slightly
W. O. Martin, shocked by explosion of caisson
A member of the 11th Virginia Regiment, writing to the Lynchburg "Republican," from Plymouth, under date of the 19th, says:
About 4 o'clock, A.M., Companies C and G were thrown out as skirmishers and moved through a deep marsh to within a hundred and fifty yards of a strong fort; this was to secure a position from which the Yankee gunners could be picked off and prevent their firing on our batteries. In executing this move, I regret to record the following casualties
Lieut. W. H. Thayer, Company H, wounded badly
______ Callahan, Company B, wounded slightly
A.J. Bateman, company C, wounded severely shoulder
Lee Brown, Company C, Wounded slightly
F. B. Tweedy, Company C, killed
W. J. Monroe, company C, wounded badly
E. A. Tweedy, Company c, wounded slightly
J. C. Hall, Company C, wounded slightly
H. Eades, Company C, wounded slightly
The following casualties occurred in Company G:
Corporal J. P. Sale, wounded, supposed mortally
Corporal W. S. Averett, wounded, supposed mortally
Private J. H. Cross, wounded, supposed mortally
W. P. Conley, Wounded slightly
W. S. Gregory, wounded slightly
C. H. Gwatkins, wounded slightly
S. T. Nowlin, wounded slightly
W. H. Woods, wounded slightly
Thirty-fifth N. C. Regiment. - Company A
Private J. A. Costin;
Company C
Private Neal Smith
Forty-third N. C. Regiment - Company A
Privates L. R. Grisham
L. J. Quinn; Company E
Private A. W. Simmons
Company F
Private J. H. Wood
Company H
Private W. J. Ashcraft
Company K
Private W. H. Meeks
Fifty Sixth N. C. Regiment. - Company A
Private K. Setton
Company B
Private W. Handy
Company D
Lieut. C. R. Wilson
Privates J. R. Miller
G. W. Montgomery
Company G
Private E. Carlton
Twenty First Georgia Regiment. - Company F
Private W. R. Philips
Company G
Private L. W. Jones
Twenty -Fourth Virginia Regiment - Company B
Private H. A. Metts
Bradford's (Mississippi) Artillery
T. L. Russell
The following named wounded soldiers from Plymouth have arrived at Goldsboro' and are now receiving medical aid at the General Hospital. All are slightly wounded and doing well:
Sixth N. C. Regiment. - Company A
Private J. E. Bordon
Company B
Privates J. E. Saunders
J. Tilly
A. Weavil
Company C
Serg't. J. E. Lyon
Private John McGee
Company E
Private R. Pittman
Company F
E. Nelson
Company H
Private F. Page
Company I
Privates John Childress
A. B. Ephraim
Company K
Privates E. P. Hyatt
John Reece
Eight N. C. Regiment, - Company I
Private A. Boggs
Twenty first N. C. regiment - Company D
Private J. C. Boyles
Company F
Private A. M. King
Company H
Privates W. W. Ashburn
John Marion
Company I
Private C. H. Boyles
Company K
Private C. Flynn
Lynchburg Artillery
Capt. J. G. Blount, commanding. --
KILLED:
None
WOUNDED:
Sergeant Thomas Ross, both legs, severely
Corporal T. W. Jeter, hip, slightly
Privates William T. Noell, head severely
James M. Whorley, face severely
George S. Merriman, hand, slightly
C. P. McCary, knee, slightly
Thomas M. Stone, arm, slightly
William S. Moore, hip, slightly
Henry T. Early, foot, slightly
W. H. Walden, leg, slightly
Thomas O. Cox, hand, slightly
H. S. Arthur, face, slightly
Recapitulation
Killed, - Officer 0, Men 4
Wounded, - Officers 1, Men 23
T. Lewis, Adjutant
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