Edward A. Cary

Edward A. Cary

Library of Congress

Quick Facts

Place of Birth:

Charlotte County, Virginia

Place of Death:

Battle of Port Republic

Date of Death:

June 9, 1862

Unit: 44th Virginia Cavalry

Rank:  Private

Enlisted: May 8th, 1861

Muster Out: Killed at Port Republic, June 9, 1862

Photo Credit/Donated by: Library of Congress

Description:

Edward Cary was from Charlotte County, Virginia. The American Civil War began when he was 18-year-old. Cary enlisted in the 44th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate army on May 8, 1861. He fought at Rich Mountain, West Virginia, and the battle of Greenbrier River, West Virginia.

Cary's brother William also enlisted in the 44th Virginia Infantry. On October 3, 1861, during the battle of the Greenbrier River, William took leave to recover from illness at home.

The regiment avoided conflict until May and early June of 1862, when it fought in a string of battles throughout Virginia. The first battle was McDowell, Virginia, on May 8th. The regiment attempted to plant a battery on Bull Pasture Mountain but were driven back until nightfall and lost 75 men. 

A confrontation two weeks later at Front Royal saw more success for the Confederate forces, as they were not fooled by a Union ploy to give the false appearance of greater strength. Though the retreating Union troops burned the nearby river’s bridges, the Confederate cavalry soon crossed and captured most of the force.

On June 2, 1862, the regiment faced a skirmish at Strasburg. They were overcome at Woodstock and lost many men, along with their fort, to the Union army.

The Battle of Port Republic began six days later. The first day saw some success for the Confederates, including Cary’s regiment, who were first driven back by Colonel Samuel Carroll’s Union troops, but then returned in force and caused a Union retreat.

The next day, the Confederates attacked the Union troops under James Gavin, and succeeded in capturing their batteries. The Confederates turned the captured guns onto the Union troops, who fell back for four or five miles until reinforcements arrived. Perhaps it was during this resurgence that Edward Cary fell. He was one of fifteen who lost their lives at Port Republic who belonged to the 44th Virginia.

His brother William had returned to the regiment just a month earlier, on May 15th. He would remain with it, despite three periods of hospitalization, at least until September of 1864, when his name fades from the record.

Sources:

· “Edward A. Cary.” Soldier Data. The American Civil War Research Database.

· Ruffner, Kevin Conley. 44th Virginia Infantry. Lynchburg, VA: H.E. Howard, 1987. Print.

· Moses, Ann Tyler. "Glimpses of Soldiers' Lives: Edward Cary." Prints and Photographs Reading Room. Last modified July 2012. Accessed April 3, 2013. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/SoldierbiosCary.html.