APPENDIX D. "War of 1812." So little is known of the part Orange played in the War of 1812, that it can all be easily embraced in an appendix. It certainly was not conspicuous; yet the names of such of her sons as volunteered in the war which the New England States denounced as "Madison's War," ought to be handed down to posterity. It was a curious coincidence that one son of the County, Madison, was the chief executive of the nation, and another, James Barbour, the chief executive of the State, during this war. William Madison, brother of the president, attained the rank of major-general at that period, but it is not believed that he ever had a command in action. From an official publication by the State in 1852, "Muster Rolls of the Virginia Militia in the war of 1812," the following roster is copied, being that of "Capt William Smith's Company of the Second Regiment, Virginia Militia, in the County of Orange, called into actual service, under the general orders of the 28th of June, 1813, from the 5th of July till the 10th of August:" one month and twelve days in all. The name Colling ought probably to be Collins, and Right, Wright; the spelling of the roll is followed. William F. Taylor was commissioned an ensign of infantry in 1813. (Calendar, State Papers.) There was also a company of "mounted riflemen" from the County, commanded by Capt. William Stevens. This company of the Third Virginia Regiment was stationed at Hampton, for two months, in 1814, but diligent search has failed to discover a roll. Among the Orange "Petitions" in the State Library is one from Charles M. Webb, of this company, which sets out the facts here stated. Webb's horse impaled itself and died from his wounds, and his petition for pay for it was rejected. Application was made to the War Department, through the courtesy of Senator Thomas S. Martin, for a roster of this company, but without success, there being a "lack of clerical force;" yet others than the official force are not permitted to examine the files, which is as it should be. War of the Revolution. In this appendix, names are sometimes duplicated, no doubt, yet it is impossible now to tell whether persons of the same name were always the same person. Authorities are generally given that statements may be verified. It is not assumed that this record is exhaustive, but it is believed to be much the fullest that has yet appeared. Unfortunately the official records of the Revolution, which are fairly complete in the State Land Office and Library, seldom disclose the county from which the soldiers came, and hence are not useful, except for comparison, in compiling a roster of this kind. Permission was asked to examine the files of the departments at Washington. It was refused on the ground that the rolls have become so fragile that handling them is very injurious; yet the Government does not publish them, and the archives of the State and County are the only resource of the investigator. The following persons are named in the order books, at the indicated dates, as being active participants in the Revolution. The orders are greatly condensed. 1778. JERE CHANDLER -STAVES, (Two sons of widow Staves, names not given.) JOSEPH EDMONSON FRANCIS MCCLARNEY 1779. SOLOMON GARRETT -HENSLEY (son of Jane). 1784. JOHN TRACEY. Died in service. 1785. JAMES CHISHAM (Chisholm). Died in service in '78 WM. ROSSON. Died in service. AMBROSE WHITE. Died in Va. Regt. of Guards. 1786. JOHN BUSH. 7th Va; died in Continental service. CATLETT JONES. Not wounded in public service; discontinued from pension list, as able to earn his living JOHN GROOM. Lost leg; entitled to pension. 1787. FINLASON SLEET. Allowed £50 for acting as adjutant for six years from JAMES GAINES. years. 1789. JOHN Miller. 1777. Allowed £30 as clerk of court-martial five Died of wounds received in United States service. Judith, his wife, pensioned. 1792. WM. BOLLING. Enlisted in 2d Va. Feby. 1777; died Aug., '78, in service. PEACHY BLEDSOE. Sergt. in 2d regiment, (proved foregoing item.) 1811. JAMES BURTON'S Oath as to his service. WILLIAM CAMPBELL'S oath; both Captains. 1813. JESSE THORNTON. In Capt. Spencer's Co. 7th Va. in '76, as fife major; served to end of war. 1817. HERMAN VAWTER. Sergt. in 17th Va. 1818. JOHN ATKINS. Aged 69; in Capt. Geo. Stubblefield's Co., 5th Va., in '76,; discharged in '78. THOMAS MARSH. Aged 72; in Capt. Thos. Gaskin's Co., served 3 years; discharged in N. C.; in battles of Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown; re-enlisted in cavalry and served till end of war. JOSEPH THOMAS. Aged 61; enlisted in '76 in 2d Va. Cont. JOHN BOURN. Aged 66; enlisted '76, 2d Va. Contl., Capt. |