2016 by Sheridan R. Barringer
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
First Edition, first printing
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Barringer, Sheridan Reid, 1943- author.
Fighting for General Lee : General Rufus Barringer and the North Carolina Cavalry Brigade / Sheridan R. Barringer.First Edition.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-61121-262-4 (alk. paper)ISBN 978-1-61121-263-1 (ebk.)
1. Barringer, Rufus, 1821-1895. 2. GeneralsConfederate States of AmericaBiography. 3. North CarolinaHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Biography. 4. United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Biography. 5. United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Cavalry operations. 6. United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns. 7. Cabarrus County (N.C.)Biography. 8. Charlotte (N.C.)Biography. I. Title.
E467.1.B27B37 2015
973.745672092dc23
[B]
2015029288
PRINT ISBN: 978 1 61121 262 4
eISBN: 978 1 61121 263 1
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For Shannon and Michael
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
The Young North Carolina Lawyer
Chapter 2
Politics, Tragic Love, and Secession
Chapter 3
Sectional Crisis, Slavery, and Secession: Prelude to War
Chapter 4
Rufus Barringer: North Carolina Cavalry Officer
Chapter 5
The Campaigns of 1862 and Early 1863
Chapter 6
1863: Brandy Station, the Bristoe Campaign, and Personal Loss
Chapter 7
The 1864 Campaigns
Chapter 8
Barringers Final Battles
Chapter 9
A Prisoner of War
Chapter 10
The Trials of Reconstruction
Chapter 11
Final Public Service, Retirement, and Death
Preface
A lmost twenty years ago, I had the good fortune to meet Gen. Rufus Barringers grandson, Rufus Barringer (since deceased) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was Rufus who helped inspire me to write this book about his grandfather. For some time I had been doing genealogical research on my ancestors. While researching the Barringer lines of North Carolina, I continued to come across all sorts of interesting information about Brig. Gen. Rufus Barringer (1821-1895). My interest increased when I discovered he was my first cousin (five times removed), and my great-grandfather was probably named after him. Grandson Rufus was interested in having someone write the story of his grandfathers life. He knew I had self-published a biography of General Barringers grandfather, John Paul Barringer, who was also my direct ancestor. I was interested in the challenge of writing a more comprehensive book that would build upon the learning experience of the first one. Between grandson Rufuss interest and my desire to write another book, I embraced the task. Rufus was my constant advisor and friend throughout the process. After several years of researching and writing, I completed the initial manuscript. Dr. James M. Morris, a history professor (now retired) at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, agreed to review my manuscript, and a partnership was born.
While conducting research, I learned an interesting origin for my first name, Sheridan. I am often asked where I got the name. It is differentrare in fact, for a first name. I was named after my father. But where did my father get his name? My parents are deceased, but my mother had always told me when I was growing up that my father, Sheridan Kutter Barringer, was named after a Civil War general. Of course, I discovered that there was no Confederate general named Sheridan. The only general named Sheridan was the famous Union cavalry commander Philip Sheridan. How could it be that my father, being from a pro-Confederate North Carolina Barringer family, was named after a Union general?
It turns out that my great-grandfather, Rufus Osborn Barringer, was probably named after his first cousin, the Confederate Gen. Rufus Barringer, who commanded a cavalry brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia. General Barringer was a successful lawyer before the war, while my great-grandfather was a poor farmer. My grandfather, Jason Alexander Barringer, named his son (my father) Sheridan Kutter Barringer. Near the end of the war, Union Gen. Philip Sheridan defeated Rufus Barringers cavalry brigade and captured Rufus. My grandmothers family included Unionists from Illinois, and I believe that my fathers parents named their son Sheridan after the Union cavalry commander. Did my grandmothers family so despise General Barringer, or were they such Union sympathizers that they named their only child after the very Union general who captured Rufus? I have no idea, but it makes for a good story.
Sheridan R. Barringer
Newport News, Virginia
Acknowledgments
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the following individuals and institutions for their contributions to this book:
Horace Mewborn, who twice reviewed the war chapters of the manuscript. Horaces tireless efforts made the manuscript a much better product. He finally convinced me to slow down, and get back to primary sources in my research.
Dr. James M. Morris of Christopher Newport University. Jim became my partner during the early stages of this project, and made many invaluable suggestions and contributions to the quality of this book. He also taught me that history is more than just a collection of facts; it is the telling of a story around those facts. Jim has been my friend, collaborator, and mentor.
Edward G. Longacre, Staff Historian, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, for his review of the entire manuscript and his most helpful comments and suggestions.
Steve Meserve (deceased) for his review, suggestions, and editorial comments.
Rufus Barringer (since deceased) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, grandson of General Barringer. Rufus was my cousin, friend, and a motivating force behind the creation of this book. Thanks to Rufuss lovely wife, Nanette, for her hospitality and friendship over these past years.
My wife Pam, and to my children, Shannon and Michael, for their encouragement and for putting up with all the time I was away from them, while doing research or at the computer updating the manuscript.
C. Minor Barringer (deceased) of Chadds Ford, Pennslvania, and to Rufus Barringer (now deceased) of Lyme, Connecticut, brothers and grandsons of General Barringer, who offered much valuable information and encouragement.
Thanks to my friend, Nancy Shields of Poquoson, Virginia, for her editing help, ideas, and encouragement. Thanks to my cousin, Larry Welch, for his interest, research, and support.
Thanks to Civil War historians and authors Bob Krick, retired Chief Historian at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield; Chris Calkins, Manager of Sailors Creek Battlefield State Park, Dr. Louis H. Manarin of the Virginia State Archives; William C. Davis, noted historian and author; Clark B. Hall, expert on the Battle of Brandy Station; and James I. Robertson, of Virginia Tech.
