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Letter to Editor
May 23, 1897
The Norfolk Virginian
Norfolk, Virginia
What is this article about?
Biographical sketch of William G. Ridley, eldest son of Francis T. and Elizabeth Ridley of Southampton County, Va., who left his education at UVA to join the Confederate army in Company F, Sixth Virginia Regiment, and was killed at age 19 in the Second Battle of Manassas on August 30, 1862.
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Full Text
SKETCH OF ANOTHER HERO.
The Record of the Gallant Youth, Wm. G. Ridley,
Norfolk, Va., May 20, 1897.
Editor of The Virginian:
In last Sunday's issue of your paper was an article entitled "A Norfolk Hero," by "Company F." In it an account is given of the memorable charge by Mahone's Brigade at the second battle of Manassas, August 30th, 1862, and among the list of killed was mentioned William G. Ridley. This young soldier was the eldest son of the late Francis T. Ridley and Elizabeth Goodwin Ridley, of Southampton county, Va. At an early age he was placed at the well known school of the Rev. William Dinwiddie at Greenwood, in Albemarle county, and remained there five years. He then completed a term at the University of Virginia, where his fine classical education bespoke for him an A. M. and a brilliant future, but filled with the same ardor that animated every Virginia's son, and manifesting his revolutionary heritage, he remained at home but a few days and entered the army, joining "Company F," Sixth Virginia Regiment, then stationed at Craney Island, near Norfolk. After the evacuation of Norfolk his brigade was stationed around Richmond, where it fought the seven days' battle. William G. Ridley celebrating his 19th birthday at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862. During the intervening time to August 30th, the command, in Longstreet's Corps, joining Jackson to frustrate the movements of Pope and McDowell, and after a hard day's march were ordered into this memorable battle of Manassas, where fell the youthful hero. Immediately after the battle Gen. Mahone and other friends recovered his body and had it neatly buried beneath a large tree near the battlefield, where still remains all that is mortal of that brave soldier, the idol of his parents.
A little incident occurred on one occasion when working on the fortifications around Yorktown. A fellow soldier, who knew of his family's position, remarked: "I should think you would have a substitute." His reply was: "I have more to fight for than any substitute would."
The subject of this sketch was the brother of Mrs. Elizabeth N. Neely and Mrs. Norfleet Ridley, of Portsmouth, Va.
VIRGINIA.
The Record of the Gallant Youth, Wm. G. Ridley,
Norfolk, Va., May 20, 1897.
Editor of The Virginian:
In last Sunday's issue of your paper was an article entitled "A Norfolk Hero," by "Company F." In it an account is given of the memorable charge by Mahone's Brigade at the second battle of Manassas, August 30th, 1862, and among the list of killed was mentioned William G. Ridley. This young soldier was the eldest son of the late Francis T. Ridley and Elizabeth Goodwin Ridley, of Southampton county, Va. At an early age he was placed at the well known school of the Rev. William Dinwiddie at Greenwood, in Albemarle county, and remained there five years. He then completed a term at the University of Virginia, where his fine classical education bespoke for him an A. M. and a brilliant future, but filled with the same ardor that animated every Virginia's son, and manifesting his revolutionary heritage, he remained at home but a few days and entered the army, joining "Company F," Sixth Virginia Regiment, then stationed at Craney Island, near Norfolk. After the evacuation of Norfolk his brigade was stationed around Richmond, where it fought the seven days' battle. William G. Ridley celebrating his 19th birthday at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862. During the intervening time to August 30th, the command, in Longstreet's Corps, joining Jackson to frustrate the movements of Pope and McDowell, and after a hard day's march were ordered into this memorable battle of Manassas, where fell the youthful hero. Immediately after the battle Gen. Mahone and other friends recovered his body and had it neatly buried beneath a large tree near the battlefield, where still remains all that is mortal of that brave soldier, the idol of his parents.
A little incident occurred on one occasion when working on the fortifications around Yorktown. A fellow soldier, who knew of his family's position, remarked: "I should think you would have a substitute." His reply was: "I have more to fight for than any substitute would."
The subject of this sketch was the brother of Mrs. Elizabeth N. Neely and Mrs. Norfleet Ridley, of Portsmouth, Va.
VIRGINIA.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Military War
What keywords are associated?
William G Ridley
Confederate Soldier
Second Battle Of Manassas
Mahone Brigade
Civil War Hero
Virginia Regiment
Yorktown Fortifications
What entities or persons were involved?
Virginia.
Editor Of The Virginian
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Virginia.
Recipient
Editor Of The Virginian
Main Argument
this letter provides a biographical sketch of william g. ridley, a young confederate soldier who was educated at prominent virginia institutions before enlisting and dying heroically at the second battle of manassas in 1862.
Notable Details
Educated At Rev. William Dinwiddie's School In Greenwood, Albemarle County, For Five Years
Completed Term At University Of Virginia, Earning A.M.
Joined Company F, Sixth Virginia Regiment
Celebrated 19th Birthday At Battle Of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862
Reply To Substitute Remark: 'I Have More To Fight For Than Any Substitute Would.'
Brother Of Mrs. Elizabeth N. Neely And Mrs. Norfleet Ridley Of Portsmouth, Va.