Edward A. Cary

Edward A. Cary

Library of Congress

Quick Facts

Significance:

Confederate Soldier

Place of Birth:

Charlotte County, Virginia

Place of Death:

Battle of Port Republic

Date of Death:

June 9, 1862

Private Edward Cary posed with his sister, Emma, at the popular studio of C.R. Rees in Richmond. Soldiers frequented portrait studios, eager to display their soldierly likeness in pocket sized mementos. How do you make and share memories? 

A Call to Arms

Cary joined the Confederate army when he was eighteen years old, enlisting in the 44th Virginia Infantry. His brother William also joined the regiment. Their first combat experience occurred in the mountains of western Virginia at Rich Mountain and Greenbrier River. These locations are now in West Virginia. 

Death in the Valley 

The 44th Virginia fought with General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson during the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign. The campaign closed with the Confederate victory at Port Republic in June. Edward was killed during the fight. William remained with the regiment until at least September 1864, when his name fades from the paper records.