Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 23.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[100] to make quickly out of the raw material in it, efficient soldiers. His patience, energy, and kindness were in constant requisition for many months, and contributed largely to the reputation gained by the Rockbridge Artillery. He was made a Colonel of Artillery before the company had seen much service in battle, and eventually became a General in command of the artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia. His subsequent career in that army, and his connection with the military family of our great commander, General Lee, are well known. After the war closed he returned to his labors as a clergyman in Lexington, and died a few years ago, lamented by hosts of friends and honored by his surviving comrades-in-arms.

His successors in command of the company, McLaughlin, Poague, and Graham, all had the benefit of his instruction, and perhaps no company in the army was better officered. They were thorough in their knowledge of the needs of men and horses in camp and on the march, always kind and considerate; and, in battle, active, intelligent, and heedless of personal danger. It would be difficult for any of the men who served under them to give any satisfactory reason for preferring any one of them above the others. The battery did efficient service under the command of each of them.

The following seems to have been the first company-roll; at least this is the roll showing the organization as of 30th June, 1861.

Captain, W. N. Pendleton.

First Lieutenant, John Bowyer Brockenbrough.

Second Lieutenant, William McLaughlin.

Second Lieutenant, William T. Poague.

First Sergeant, John McD. Alexander.

Second Sergeant, James Cole Davis.

Third Sergeant, Archibald Graham, Jr.

Fourth Sergeant, James L. Paxton.

Fifth Sergeant, Frank Preston.

Sixth Sergeant, Norborne S. Henry.

First Corporal, William M. Brown.

Second Corporal, William L. Strickler.

Third Corporal, John W. Jordan, Jr.

Fourth Corporal, Samuel C. Smith.

Fifth Corporal, John F. Tompkins.

Sixth Corporal, John B. McCorkle.

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