B.[Ballard] P. Compton, Private, Company F, 16th Regiment Virginia Cavalry, enlisted October 9, 1862 in Tazewell County, Va. by Capt. Taylor for 3 years, recorded as absent wounded since August 7, 1864, admitted C. S. A. General Hospital, Charlottesville, Va. September 1, gunshot wound right thigh, granted 60 day furlough September 3, paroled at Charleston, West Va. June 22, 1865, signs with an 'X', his mark, description: age 21, 5' 8", florid complexion, hazel eyes, light hair
M324: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia
See also:
http://www.nkclifton.com/amer-civ-war/Virginia/16th_Virginia_Cavalry/16thvacavcsa.html
http://books.google.com/books/about/16th_Virginia_Cavalry.html?id=KgZ3AAAAMAAJ
Sixteenth Virginia Cavalry
Report of Maj. James H. Nounnan, Sixteenth Virginia Cavalry.
LOGAN COUNTY, VA., February 7, 1864.
GEN.: I left Col. Ferguson in Wayne County on the 26th
ultimo with indefinite orders and discretionary powers, and moved in the
direction of the Kanawha River, along which stream I maneuvered in
the counties of Mason and Putnam until the 3d instant. I entered
Winfield (Putnam Court-House) on the morning of the 3d instant at 3
o'clock with 40 men, and found a number of Government officials
there, whom I failed to secure, and a Government steamer with a strong
guard and a piece of artillery lying upon the opposite side of the river.
With great difficulty I secured a small craft, capable only of carrying
four men, with which I crossed a small party of 12 men, under
Lieut. E. G. Vertegans, who obeyed my instructions as speedily
as possible in cutting the telegraph and assaulting the boat, which
surrendered without firing a gun, although having moored several yards
from the shore. I found a valuable cargo on board, consisting chiefly
of medical stores and tarpaulin, a lot of arms, &c., and Brig.
Gen. E. P. Scammon, Capt. William G. Pinckard, and
Lieut. Frank Millward, of his staff, and Lieut. William C.
Lyons, Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers, and 25 non-commissioned
officers and privates. I secured about 20 horses and some of the most
valuable medicines, demolished the telegraph office, instruments, wire,
&c., and moved tot he mouth of Big Hurricane, where I burned the
boat and cargo of over $100,00 worth of medicines, destroyed the piece
of artillery and a quantity of ammunition, paroled all the
non-commissioned officers and privates except one, and determined to
make my way through with the most valuable prisoners with as much
speed as possible. The enemy pressed me heavily at all points in their
efforts to recover the prisoners, and compelled me to come to this point.
I herewith send you Gen. Scammon, Capt. Pinckard, Lieut.'s
Millward and Lyons, and Sergt. Thomas McCormick, who refused to
take a parole. I take great pleasure in bringing to your notice the
coolness, discretion, and courage displayed by Lieut. Vertegans, as
well as the good behavior and daring courage and fortitude of my entire
force. I shall report to Col. Ferguson, in Wayne County, as speedily
as possible, and send the prisoners through from this point with a
mounted guard.
I remain, general, with much respect, your obedient servant,
JAS. H. NOUNNAN,
Sixteenth Virginia Cavalry.
Maj. Gen. SAMUEL JONES,
Cmdg. Department of Western Virginia.
P. S.--I sent Gen. Scammon and Lieut.'s Millward and Lyons
in charge of Lieut. Vertegans. The rest will be forwarded so soon
as I hear from Col. Ferguson.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. NOUNNAN,
Maj., &c.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 112-60 OPERATIONS IN N. C., VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XLV.
[Series I. Vol. 33. Serial No. 60.]