Edward Walton, son of Nathaniel and Evelyne Paine
Walton, was born June 27, 1847, at "Rose Cottage," near
Cartersville, Cumberland County, Va., and died April 7,
1923, at "Penrith" in Cumberland County. He was married
to Miss Rebecca DePriest on November 18, 1875, who preceded
hin in death nearly twenty-four years. He is survived
by two sons and four daughters and seven grandchildren.
He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and served as steward for many years.
Comrade Walton enlisted in the War between the States
in April, 1864, under Capt. Frank D. Irvin, who organized a
force to resist Wilson's raid and prevent him from destroying
the High Bridge across the Appomattox River near Farmville,
Y.i. On advancing from the High Bridge to Amelia Courthouse,
they found the enemy had retired, badly defeated by
the Southern troops. Captian Irvin, therefore, disbanded
his squad. In a few days Edward Walton reported to Colonel
Walker, then in command at the High Bridge, and he served
as mounted courier for Colonel Walker and his successors,
Colonels Scott and Booker, until September 10, 1864, after
which time he was transferred to Company D, 39th Battalion,
Virginia Cavalry. He was bodyguard for Gen. R. E. Lee,
and remained on duty at General Lee's headquarters and at
the telegraph office in Petersburg, Va., until April 1, 1865,
when he was detailed to go home for a fresh horse. In the
meantime Richmond and Petersburg were evacuated. He
attempted to reach General Lee at Farmville, but was cut
off by the enemy near that place. He then started for Danville,
Va., intending to report to General Johnston, but after
going into North Carolina some distance, he heard of General
Johnston's surrender. He retraced his steps and arrived at
home in Cumberland County, Va., about three weeks after
General Lee's surrender.
I'd had an old photocopy of it, but w/ no publication information on the page, couldn't find it.
Finally thought to check an on-line index and it turned up immediately:
http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas65&local_base=CLAS65
Most of the Volumes of _The Confederate Veteran_ are available from www.archive.org
William