Robert McChesney was the son of Capt. James McChesney and Francis Ann McNutt.

He graduated from Washington College (later Washington and Lee) in 1848, attended the University of Virginia in 1848 and 1849, M.D."Quinimont, Greenbrier Co., MD."

On the 1850 Dist. 51, Rockbridge Co., VA census, I found Frances McChesney, 46, with $13,662 in real estate; farmer Alexandr, J., 21; farmer ROBERT, 18; Rachel G., 16; Martha A., 14; Frances A. 11; Mary M., 9 and Jas Z., 7, all VA born.

He enlisted in Brownsburg on 14 May 1861, as a 1st lieutenant in Co. H in the 14th Virginia Cavalry, then called the Rockbridge Dragoon. It was just about 32 days after the war was declared. He was the first man from Rockbridge Co. and the first officer to die in the Civil War. He'd only been in for 45 days. His sword, spurs and purse were returned by Col. James Irvine (Ohio Infantry) who wrote "What should have been our common country lost a brave and gallant man." He served in the same company with two of his brothers: James Zechariah McChesney and Alexander Gallatin McChesney.

He was tall, 6'2" with a "well knit frame and capable of great endurance." He accomplished a lot in his short 29 years.

Data supplied by Robert J. Driver, Jr., 14th Virginia Cavalry, 1988, a wonderful source of data on the individuals. It confirms he was buried here and not in Charleston, West Virginia. Assume his family retrieved his remains and moved him here, installing a gravestone.

"Beneath the sod in the adjoining cemetery rest the mortal remains of Rockbridge's first and last soldiers to lose their lives in the War between the States. Lieut. Robert McChesney killed (my cousin) in battle near Rowlesburg, West Virginia, June 29, 1861 and James Wilson died of a wound received on the field of battle April 10, 1865." The entire 7 Aug 1941 issue of The Rockbridge County News, Lexington, VA, was saved by my family. The page 6 article on the History of New Providence Church During the 200 Years of its Existence included these words.

The Rockbridge Co. VA Death Register, says Robert McChesney, died 30 (sic) June 1861, killed as a scout in Tucker Co., aged 29 years, the son of James and F. A. McChesney, born in Rockbridge Co., VA. The informant was J. J. McBride. Lieut James Jackson McBride was Robert's first cousin, the son of his dad's sister Ann J McChesney McBride. Tucker Co. is just below Preston Co., where Rowlesburg is.

Our Scout Fired Upon. On Saturday last, Lieut. Robt. McChesney, of Rockbridge Cavalry, Capt. McNutt, with nine others of that Company ventured from camp Garnett a distance of about 20 miles in the direction of Rowlesburg where the Unionists were holding an election for the New Government they are traitorously endeavoring to establish in North Western Virginia. They fell into an ambuscade of the enemy numbering about 150. They were fired upon, and Lieut. Robt. McChesney was killed, and a Mr. Paxton of Rockbridge and a Mr. Long of Tucker, were wounded. Mr. Long joined that company after it arrived at Camp Garnett. The other members of this scouting party made their escape unhurt, thought the balls passed through portions of their clothing and five or six of their horses were killed. Staunton Spectator, 9 Jul 1861, The Library of Congress.

HWH recommended checking out the History of Tucker County, West Virginia....... by Hu Maxwell, Preston Publishing Co., WV, 1884, p 319-321, includes photo and family letter, etc. The Yankees were holding an election and the rebels overheard it. McChesney was sent into Tucker Co. to scout it out and to disrupt it. His last night, the Yankees stayed overnight in the Holly Meadows at Job Parson's house. The next day they headed toward Hannahsville, WV, when it happened. Capt. Miller bragged of killing McChesney. Mr. (Abner Jehu) Paxton and Dock Long were slightly wounded. He was first buried there and moved back home, at a later date.

Robert's brother James shared a letter from Mrs. Mary A. See. "On Saturday, June 29, it was reported that the Union men would hold an election eight miles below St. George, protected by a large guard from the Northern army. Lieutenant McChesney went down with a party of ten men as scouts. When within half a mile of the house, he ordered his men to return. Just as they turned their horses, a party of men who were lying in ambush, rushed out and cut off their retreat. They fired on each other. Part of our men dashed up the mountain, and part attempted to cut their way through them. Lieutenant McChesney was killed on the spot, Mr. Paxton badly wounded, and two others wounded, not so badly. Some of the men say they saw him lying dead, the horse standing by him, and the bridle in his hand. Some of the Northern men requested the people at the election to bury him, which was done that evening." The following Sunday, Anvil, Talbott and Bohon went to Hannahsville and retrieved McChesney's body via a quiet sled. He was buried by then future Sen. Wm Ewin's daughter. Under the circumstances, they had a funeral there and he was laid to rest under the shade of trees, with a view of the Cheat River ad the town of St. George. "A musket ball had penetrated his body in the left side, near the heart." See attached photo of the lyrics of the 1817 published song that was sang at his funeral at Ewin Cemetery shared by HWH.

The Rockbridge Co., VA Death Register says Robert McChesney died (1 day later) 30 Jun 1861, and was killed in a scout in Tucker Co. Aged 29 years, born in Rockbridge Xo., VA, he was the son of James and F A McChesney. J J McBride reported.

Frances Ann McNutt McChesney gave to the New Providence Presbyterian Church, the pulpit Bible that is in the History Room, following the 1861 death of her brother, Robert McChesney. HWH shared.

Bio researched and written by LSP. Do NOT reproduce