Remembering Our Civil War Veterans in Chestnut Grove

By Barbara Glakas

The remains of at least 40 Civil War veterans are interred at Herndon’s Chestnut Grove Cemetery.

Herndon was not yet incorporated during the Civil War (1861-1865); it was simply considered a village. Yet, the train depot had been built and it had become the center of the community. 

There also were a few other wooden structures downtown, many of them commercial or industrial buildings such as saw mills, lumberyards, and general supply stores.

Residents held different views about the war. Some supported the Union while others supported the Confederacy, and some of these north/south sympathies were split between married couples.

Troop movements through the village were common. Some residents recalled in their memoirs that they would temporarily leave their homes for safety when they heard that troops were approaching the village.

As the years passed by the Civil War veterans passed away, and some of those veterans were buried in Herndon’s Chestnut Grove Cemetery. Although it is impossible to identify all of them, following is a list of those whom we do know about. They include a number of men who served with Mosby’s Rangers.

Three of the veterans' gravestones have the Southern Cross of Honor symbol engraved on them. The original wartime medal was referred to as the Confederate Medal of Honor and it was the Confederate equivalent of the Union Army Medal of Honor, awarded for valor during the war. 

After the war, beginning in about 1898, some of these medals were given to Confederate veterans who had provided “loyal, honorable service to the South and given in recognition of this devotion,” according to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. 

One Civil War historian confirms that a Confederate Cross of Honor carved onto a tombstone is a rare find. Another says, “Having three individuals in one cemetery who have it carved onto their tombstone is unbelievable!”

The information about these men is from the tombstones, from www.Find-a-Grave.com, or from other historical resources. 

1.     Bready, Isaiah (b. 1830, d. 1913). Herndon’s first Mayor. He may not have enlisted in the military, but Herndon resident Lottie Dyer Schneider (1879-1967) remarked in her memoir, Memories of Herndon Virginia, “Among those who acted as loyal scouts for the Union Army was Isaiah Bready.”

2.     Bicksler, Henry F. (b. 1835, d. 1912). Civil war muster card shows H.F. Bicksler mustered into Company C, 49th Regiment in May 1861.

3.     Blanchard, Pvt. Henry C. (b. unknown, d. 1913). One of Mosby’s Rangers, Co. D. 

4.     Burr, Pvt. Charles Nicholas “Tobe” (b. 1840, d. 1923). Company C. 43rd Va. Cav. Battalion. Captured in Loudoun Co. and sent to Old Capital Prison, later transferred to Ft. Warren. Lived in Sterling in 1909.

5.     Carper, Philip William (b. 1840 d. 1918). Company A, White’s Battalion, C.S.A. Carper fought with the 35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry at the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. During his fight on Fleetwood Hill, he was wounded by a Union saber and taken prisoner. After a short stay in a Union prison, he was exchanged on June 26, 1863 and then was captured again on December 27, 1863. He was exchanged once more on February 13, 1864 and surrendered in May of 1865. Carper died on September 21, 1918. A depiction of the Southern Cross of Honor is engraved on his gravestone.

6.     Carr, Charles Lewis (b. 1842, d. 1925.) Enlisted on April 27, 1862 at Crumps, West Virginia, as a Private in the 8th Virginia Cavalry, Company C, on April 27, 1862.

7.     Coleman, Johnston Cleveland (b. 1842, d. 1895). Co. K, 6th Va. Cav. Regt.–CSA. Died Loudoun Co., 9/29/1895 per widow. Johnston was originally buried in the Holtzclaw Cemetery in Loudoun County, Virginia. He was reinterred at Chestnut Grove on April 19, 1958, when the site of his original grave was being cleared for Dulles Airport.

8.     Cornell, George Henry (b. 1839, d. 1915). Confederate Veteran-Loudoun Light Artillery.

9.     Cridler, John. W. (b. 1845, d. 1923). Residing in Loudoun County at the time of enlistment. Enlisted on April 16, 1862 at Orange County, Virginia as a Private in the Virginia Loudoun Light Artillery, at the age of 19. Hospitalized on August 6, 1862 at Danville, Virginia. Returned on August 28, 1862. POW on February 13, 1865 at Leesburg, Virginia (Listed as “Guerilla” not to be exchanged). Confined on February 15, 1865 at Fort McHenry, Maryland. Oath of Allegiance on May 1, 1865 at Fort McHenry, Maryland.

10.    Davis, Cpl. Philip A. (b. 1843, d. 1920). Co. A, 1st Va. Cav. Regt.; Co. C, 43rd Va. Cav. Battalion-CSA. Born Fairfax Co. Captured in Fauquier Co. and sent to Old Capital Prison, then transferred to Ft. Delaware. Resided in Fairfax Co. in 1843.

11.    Dyer, Elisha (b. 1838, d. 1919). Former Mayor of Herndon. He originally joined the Confederate Army, but later deserted and joined the Pennsylvania Cavalry of the Union Army.  In 1863 he enrolled in Co. K, 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry Volunteers. He was involved in the Battle of Cold Harbor and the First and Second Battles of the Wilderness.

12.    Garrett, Capt. Henry H. (b.1831, d. 1910). Enlisted on July 23, 1861 as a First Sergeant in the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company B. Transferred to Company G on June 23, 1862. Promoted to First Lieutenant on June 23, 1862. Promoted to Captain on December 24, 1863. Discharged on September 12, 1864.

13.    Gresham, Edwin James (b. 1831, d. 1902). Born in Chesterfield Co. Va., died in Washington, D.C. Co. G, 1st Va, Cav. Regt., Co. K., 6th Va. Inf. Regt.

14.    Hutchison, Pvt. Joshua M. (b. 1842, d. 1931). Born in Pleasant Valley, Fairfax Co. Co. G, 8th Va. Inf. Regt., per his pension. Joined 43rd Va. Cav. in 1865. Died in Clarendon, Arlington Co., Va. per widow.  A depiction of the Southern Cross of Honor is engraved on his gravestone.

15.    Hutchison, George Cuthbert (b. 1841, d. 1905). Lived in Broad Run, Virginia. Was a dealer in agricultural equipment. Served in the Confederacy in the 35th Virginia Cavalry, which skirmished in Gettysburg. A depiction of the Southern Cross of Honor is engraved on his gravestone.

16.    Hutchison, Pvt. Lycurgus E. “Curg” (b. 1835, d. 1924). He enlisted on June 10, 1863, sworn in by John S. Mosby at Rector's Crossroads. He was captured April 27, 1863 with Thomas N. Green and Ranger Thompson near Aldie, Fauquier County, Va. He was paroled and exchanged around May 19, 1863. He was present during the raid on a sutler’s wagon train on November 14, 1863, near Fairfax Court House. He also got his share of the “loot” from the “Greenback Raid” on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad train near Duffield Station, Jefferson County, W. Va. on October 14, 1864. He was paroled April 22, 1865 at Winchester at the age of 30. Listed as having fair complexion, dark hair, and blue eyes, standing 5’ 10”. After the war, he resided at Herndon, Virginia. He met with Col. John Mosby and others in Manassas for a reunion in 1914.

17.  Inzer, John H. (b. 1838, d. 1911). Co. C, 17th VA Inf., CSA, Loudoun Guards, 1861-1865.

18.  Jenkins, Charles T., (b. 1828, d. 1906). Born in Va., Loudoun Light Artillery – CSA.

19.  Jones, Ens Robert Tyler (b. 1843, d. 1895). Grandson of President John Tyler. He was the son of Henry L. and Mary Tyler Jones. He married Sally Breeden Gresham. Enlisted in the 53rd Virginia Infantry Company K on June 25, 1861. His occupation was listed as farmer. Promoted to Sergeant on June 1, 1862. Promoted to Color Sergeant on July 5, 1863, for conspicuous gallantry. Promoted to Ensign on April 20, 1864. Was wounded on July 3, 1863 at Gettysburg, Pa., while carrying the colors. Surrendered April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Va.

20.  Kennedy, Pvt. Andrew Jackson (b. 1843, d. 1912). Co. C, 52nd Va. Inf. Regt. Note: Widow on pension said he died 9/26/1917.

21.  Leith, James W. “Tim” (b. 1838, d. 1920). Born Leighton, Loudoun Co., died in Herndon, Fairfax Co. 3rd Lt., Co. H, 1st Va. Cav. Regt.

22.  Jacob Leonhardt (b. 1828, d. 1905).  Co. C., 6 D. C. Inf.

23.  Oliver, Theo (b. unknown, d. unknown). Co. K, 3rd Mo. Cav.

24.  Osgood, Cpl. George F. (b. unknown, d. unknown). Co. D., 92nd N.Y. Inf.

25.  Rowzee, Pvt. George Albert “Bully” (b. 1840, d. 1917). Enlisted August 7, 1863 for the war by William Thomas Turner in Fauquier County. He was paroled on April 22, 1865 at Winchester at age 24; listed as with dark complexion, dark hair, and black eyes. After the war, George owned and operated a general store at Dranesville, Virginia. He served in Company A of the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Mosby’s Rangers, Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate States of America.

26.  Ryon, Samuel E. (b. unknown, d. 1897). Enlisted on July 13, 1861 at Leesburg, Virginia as a Private in the 8th Virginia Infantry, Company H, at the age of 18. Listed as POW on June 14, 1863 at Leesburg, Virginia. Confined on June 17, 1863 at Point Lookout, Maryland. Released on May 19, 1865 at Elmira, New York.

27.  Sanders, Pvt. John H. (b. 1832, d. 1907). Co. A, 43rd Va. Cav. Prisoner at Bowling Green, later sent to Essex Co. Lived in Pleasant Valley, Fairfax County.

28.  Simms, Walter Hamden (b. 1845, d. 1907). Enlisted on May 1, 1862 as a Private in the 4th Virginia Cavalry, Company C. Paroled on May 20, 1865 at Gordonsville, Virginia.

29.  Simonds, Edwin Byam (b. 1831, d. 1926). Co. H, 1st Minn. Vol. Inf.

30.  Summers, William Snowden (b. 1837, d. 1908). Enlisted on May 13, 1861 at Aldie, Virginia as a Private in the 8th Virginia Infantry, Company D, at the age of 26. Listed as a POW on October, 1, 1862. Confined on October 3, 1862 at Old Capital Prison, Washington DC. Paroled on April 22, 1865 at Winchester, Virginia.

31.  Sperling, James (b. unknown, d. unknown). Well-worn tombstone appears to say, “Co. C, Inf.”

32.  Stahl, William C. (b. 1832, d. 1915). In 1860, he was a saddler living in Bloomfield, Perry County, Pennsylvania. He was not then living with his parents. A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in Perry County September 18, 1862, mustered into federal service at Harrisburg September 26 at the rank of saddler with Co. I, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry (162nd Pa), and was honorably discharged with his company June 16, 1865, at Cloud Mills, Virginia.

33.  Summers, Thomas F. (b. 1842, d. 1923). Born Fairfax Co., Co. D., 8th Va. Inf. Regt.

34.  Summers, Pvt. William Snowden (b. 1837, d. 1908). Enlisted on May 13, 1861 at Aldie, Virginia as a Private in the 8th Virginia Infantry, Company D, at the age of 26. Listed as a POW on October, 1, 1862. Confined on October 3, 1862 at Old Capital Prison, Washington DC. Paroled on April 22, 1865 at Winchester, Virginia.

35.  Taylor, Joseph V. (b. 1843, d. 1911). Co. K. 11th Mich. Inf., Vol. USA.

36.  Underwood, Pvt. Samuel L. (b. 1839, d. 1917). He served in Company A of the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Mosby’s Rangers, Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate States of America. Enlisted in 1861 in 8th VA Inf. Deserted 1862 near Manassas. Later joined Mosby’s command. Appears on POW list at Old Capital Prison. Described as, “One of Mosby’s personal favorites and most noted men. Native of the vicinity of the Cav. Camp at Vienna, Va. upon whom Mosby depends for all operations in that neighborhood.” His brother, John Underwood, lead Mosby’s men into Herndon for Mosby’s raid of the Herndon station in 1863.

37.  Whaley, Charles Augustus (b. 1833, 1904). Enlisted on March 1, 1863 at New Market, Virginia as a Private in the 35th Virginia Cavalry, Company A. Paroled on April 26, 1865 at Edwards Ferry, Maryland.

38.  Wilson, Pvt. William H. (b. 1841, d. 1902). Co. C, 35th Va. Cav. and later the 43rd Va. Cav. Captured in Loudoun Co. and sent to Old Capital Prison, later transferred to Ft. Warren. Resided in Loudoun Co. where he was murdered in 1902.

And, finally:

Unknown (b. unknown, d. unknown). This tombstone says, “Here lie two Confederate soldiers known only to God, buried on land of Joshua Hutchison, Cub Run, VA. Removal arrangements courtesy of Richard Hammond and Jerry Michael Hutchison grandsons, Nov. 11, 1969.”

Remembering Herndon’s History is written by members of the Herndon Historical Society. Barbara Glakas is a member. The Society operates a small museum that focuses on local history. It is housed in the Depot and is open every Sunday from noon until 3:00. Visit the Society’s website at www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

Note: The Historical Society is seeking volunteers to help keep the museum open each Sunday. If you have an interest in local history and would like to help, contact Carol Bruce at 703-437-7289 or carolbrcom@aol.com.

About this column: Remembering Herndon’s History is a regular Herndon Patch feature offering stories, anecdotes, and information about the Town and its past. A complete list of Remembering Herndon’s History columns is available on the Historical Society website.

FOLLOW HERNDON PATCH FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS!

Facebook | Twitter | Daily & Breaking News E-mail Updates