William was born 27 November 1835 at Retreat, below Richmond, Hanover, Virginia, USA. He was christened 27 November 1835 at "Retreat", Virginia, USA. He married Josephine Reid Anderson 27 June 1867 at Lexington, Virgina, USA. William died 22 March 1917 at home farm on James River, near Greenlee, Rockbridge Co, Virginia, USA,
Mr. William B. Poindexter died suddenly, after an illness of three hours, at his home in Arnolds Valley, near Greenlee, Thursday morning at 8 o'clock. His death was attributed to an attack of acute indigestion. Though an octogenerian in years, he was a vigorous man up to his last illness. His body was interred after 22 March 1917 at Stonewall Jackson Memorial cemetery, Lexington, Rockbridge Co, Virginia, USA. The interment was made in the cemetery at Lexington Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The services at the grave were conducted by Rev. Alfred T. Graham, D. D., of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Poindexter becoming a communicant of the Presbyterian church at Glasgow. The officers of the Lee-Jackson camp of Confederate veterans of which Mr. Poindexter was a member, followed the cortege as guard of honor and placed a Confederate flag upon the grave.
William was employed as a lawyer. At the age of two moved with his parents to "Malvern Hill", Virginia, situated on the James, fifteen miles below Richmond; In 1850 "Malvern Hill" was sold and the family moved to Lexington, Virginia, where William and his brother George attended the Campbell and Fuller school.
William Bowyer Poindexter lived at "Malvern Hill" on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. He volunteered in April 1861 for Troop C as a corporal this troop joined at Harpers Ferry the 1st Virginia Regiment of Calvalry commamded by J.E.B. Stuart. William Bowyer Poindexter was a dispatch rider for Major General J.E.B. Stuart. Suggested he fought in the Battle of Bull Run. Fought in many battles, Spotsylvania Court House, Winchester, Front Royal, Berryville, Cedar Creek, Fishers Hill, New Market. His horse was shot out from under him at Bridgewater,he was wounded several times, one time in 1860 while on picket duty. He left personal letters describing the death of J.E.B. Stuart at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in May 1864. "I was courier for Jeb Stuart that day. We had been marching and fighting steadily for over two weeks. We camped at Hanover Junction, arriving there the night before the battle. About 12 o'clock that night General Stuart sent for me to report to him mounted, as quickly as possible. Reaching his tent I found him seated alone at a table studying a map. Dismounting I saluted and reported myself ready to carry out his orders. " Poindexter" he replied (their families had long known each other before the War) "I am going to charge the enemy tonight and I want you with me". His horse was hitched near the tent, but no orderly and not even a sentry was anywhere about. I presumed that he had given orders for the different regiments to form in line at a certain point. In a few minutes he came from his tent, mounted his horse and we rode off together. A short distance we came up with the command, already formed in column-of fours. Proceeding with him to its front, he gave the order "forward". Marching along a road, through a piece of woods, about four hundred yards, he gave the command "Halt" he the said to me: "We will ride on: I want to find a position to place a field gun". We proceeded about four hundred yards (it was very dark), we were halted by a picket only a few paces from us. I inquire in an undertone if it were our own picket. "No the enemy," was his reply. At the same moment seven shots were fired in our direction, our horses both wheeling into some bushes to the right of the road. We soon discover neither of us nor our horses had been struck. The firing aroused the enemy's camp, which was not far away. We could hear the officers giving their orders; but no more shots were fired. Returning to our command the General remarked: "That firing spoiled my fun". His intention had been to surprise the camp.
At daybreak the enemy began passing along a parallel road half a mile from our command. We had a good view of them as they ascended a hill and General Stuart worried them considerably by dropping an occasional shell into their midst as they passed this point. When they had gotten beyond range our command took up the march, keeping between them and Richmond, until about ten o'clock that morning wham we came together at Yellow Tavern. Here
the fight began --two thousand men engaged on our side against fifteen thousand of the enemy --, but we kept it up until nearly sundown. General Stuart kept me with him, going from place to place over the battlefield, throughout the day.
Between three and four o'clock he sent me with an order to General Wickham. Returning between two fires my escape from being killed was miraculous. Reporting to General Stuart I found him dismounted, his arm through his horse's bridal, looking through a pair of field glasses, which he held in both hands. He was viewing a body of mounted cavalry across a field at the edge of a wood. He stood between two pieces of Baltimore light artillery. Receiving my report he remarked
" They are preparing yonder to charge this battery and if I haven't a regiment mounted to meet the charge, it will be captured. Poindexter have the led horses of the First Cavalry brought up at once!." The cavalry had been fighting dismounted and their mount were a mile in the rear. As I hastened to carry out this order the General mounted his horse, rode to where the First regiment was drawn up in line of battle and ordered all the troops but one to fall back and meet their horses, which I has succeeded in having brought within three hundred yards, when the enemy began its charge, which was completed before our regiment had time to mount and meet the attack. Before the smoke had cleared away and as the First Calvary, now mounted, was taking position, General Fitz Lee appeared at its head and announced that the batteries had been captured and General Stuart mortally wounded. A number of us called to General Lee:
"For God's sake let us charge the enemy now!" But he decided to order an immediate retreat, which our regiment covered, fighting all that night.
This was the last time I ever saw General Stuart. He was the greatest cavalry leader of the war and the coolest man in battle I ever knew. His men idolized him and would follow him to cannon's mouth or go anywhere he might order them. I was riding a fine horse, and went at full speed to bring up the cavalry mounts, which I reached within six minutes. Had he given the order ten minutes sooner the charge would have been repulsed and the life of this great leader might have been spared."
William Bowyer was captured the 2nd of April 1865 at Hatcher's Run, 25 miles east of Petersburg, while attempting to carry a message to General Pickett and spent the remainder of the War on Johnson's Island near Washington D. C. Not released for some months after the end of the war. (From information submitted by Nancy Tolley, and Katherine Bowles) When war was over and he was released he was 29 years old and penniless, his property destroyed by the War. He worked for Southern Life Ins. as a general agent in Arkansas. He returned to VA in 1867 when he married Josephine Anderson. He moved to TN but returned to VA with his family in 1871, and settled in home built by his father-in-law and returned to farming in the Shenandoah Valley on "Glenwood" his wife's family estate.
is said to have loved the outdoors and riding, hunting and fishing.
22 June 1870 Lexington Town, Rockbridge Co, VA. W. B. Poindexter age 30 born VA, Josephine age 27 born VA, Miles ate 2 born VA. Residing with F. L Anderson Judge of court of Appomattox. born VA (father of Josephine).
25 June 1880 census Natural Bridge district, Rockbridge co, VA William B Poindexter is age 44 Farmer born VA. Josephine A is 38 wife born VA, Miles son is 12 born VA, Fielding Lewis son is 9 born Va, Ernest son is 7 born VA, William son is 5 born VA, George son is 3 born VA, Mary M daughter is 1 born VA, Also in household is Frances H. age 74 born VA. mother
27 April 1910 census Natural Bridge Dist, Rockbridge Co, VA William B Poindexter age 72 married 42 years born VA , Josephine A age 71 married 42 years 6 children all living. born VA.6 He was listed as a resident in the census report 2 June 1860 at Lexington PO, Rockbridge, Virginia, USA. He was listed as a resident in the census report 3 June 1860 at USA. Roll M653_1378, pg 20.
Mr. William B. Poindexter died suddenly, after an illness of three hours, at his home in Arnolds Valley, near Greenlee, Thursday morning at 8 o'clock. His death was attributed to an attack of acute indigestion. Though an octogenerian in years, he was a vigorous man up to his last illness. His body was interred after 22 March 1917 at Stonewall Jackson Memorial cemetery, Lexington, Rockbridge Co, Virginia, USA. The interment was made in the cemetery at Lexington Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The services at the grave were conducted by Rev. Alfred T. Graham, D. D., of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Poindexter becoming a communicant of the Presbyterian church at Glasgow. The officers of the Lee-Jackson camp of Confederate veterans of which Mr. Poindexter was a member, followed the cortege as guard of honor and placed a Confederate flag upon the grave.
William was employed as a lawyer. At the age of two moved with his parents to "Malvern Hill", Virginia, situated on the James, fifteen miles below Richmond; In 1850 "Malvern Hill" was sold and the family moved to Lexington, Virginia, where William and his brother George attended the Campbell and Fuller school.
William Bowyer Poindexter lived at "Malvern Hill" on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. He volunteered in April 1861 for Troop C as a corporal this troop joined at Harpers Ferry the 1st Virginia Regiment of Calvalry commamded by J.E.B. Stuart. William Bowyer Poindexter was a dispatch rider for Major General J.E.B. Stuart. Suggested he fought in the Battle of Bull Run. Fought in many battles, Spotsylvania Court House, Winchester, Front Royal, Berryville, Cedar Creek, Fishers Hill, New Market. His horse was shot out from under him at Bridgewater,he was wounded several times, one time in 1860 while on picket duty. He left personal letters describing the death of J.E.B. Stuart at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in May 1864. "I was courier for Jeb Stuart that day. We had been marching and fighting steadily for over two weeks. We camped at Hanover Junction, arriving there the night before the battle. About 12 o'clock that night General Stuart sent for me to report to him mounted, as quickly as possible. Reaching his tent I found him seated alone at a table studying a map. Dismounting I saluted and reported myself ready to carry out his orders. " Poindexter" he replied (their families had long known each other before the War) "I am going to charge the enemy tonight and I want you with me". His horse was hitched near the tent, but no orderly and not even a sentry was anywhere about. I presumed that he had given orders for the different regiments to form in line at a certain point. In a few minutes he came from his tent, mounted his horse and we rode off together. A short distance we came up with the command, already formed in column-of fours. Proceeding with him to its front, he gave the order "forward". Marching along a road, through a piece of woods, about four hundred yards, he gave the command "Halt" he the said to me: "We will ride on: I want to find a position to place a field gun". We proceeded about four hundred yards (it was very dark), we were halted by a picket only a few paces from us. I inquire in an undertone if it were our own picket. "No the enemy," was his reply. At the same moment seven shots were fired in our direction, our horses both wheeling into some bushes to the right of the road. We soon discover neither of us nor our horses had been struck. The firing aroused the enemy's camp, which was not far away. We could hear the officers giving their orders; but no more shots were fired. Returning to our command the General remarked: "That firing spoiled my fun". His intention had been to surprise the camp.
At daybreak the enemy began passing along a parallel road half a mile from our command. We had a good view of them as they ascended a hill and General Stuart worried them considerably by dropping an occasional shell into their midst as they passed this point. When they had gotten beyond range our command took up the march, keeping between them and Richmond, until about ten o'clock that morning wham we came together at Yellow Tavern. Here
the fight began --two thousand men engaged on our side against fifteen thousand of the enemy --, but we kept it up until nearly sundown. General Stuart kept me with him, going from place to place over the battlefield, throughout the day.
Between three and four o'clock he sent me with an order to General Wickham. Returning between two fires my escape from being killed was miraculous. Reporting to General Stuart I found him dismounted, his arm through his horse's bridal, looking through a pair of field glasses, which he held in both hands. He was viewing a body of mounted cavalry across a field at the edge of a wood. He stood between two pieces of Baltimore light artillery. Receiving my report he remarked
" They are preparing yonder to charge this battery and if I haven't a regiment mounted to meet the charge, it will be captured. Poindexter have the led horses of the First Cavalry brought up at once!." The cavalry had been fighting dismounted and their mount were a mile in the rear. As I hastened to carry out this order the General mounted his horse, rode to where the First regiment was drawn up in line of battle and ordered all the troops but one to fall back and meet their horses, which I has succeeded in having brought within three hundred yards, when the enemy began its charge, which was completed before our regiment had time to mount and meet the attack. Before the smoke had cleared away and as the First Calvary, now mounted, was taking position, General Fitz Lee appeared at its head and announced that the batteries had been captured and General Stuart mortally wounded. A number of us called to General Lee:
"For God's sake let us charge the enemy now!" But he decided to order an immediate retreat, which our regiment covered, fighting all that night.
This was the last time I ever saw General Stuart. He was the greatest cavalry leader of the war and the coolest man in battle I ever knew. His men idolized him and would follow him to cannon's mouth or go anywhere he might order them. I was riding a fine horse, and went at full speed to bring up the cavalry mounts, which I reached within six minutes. Had he given the order ten minutes sooner the charge would have been repulsed and the life of this great leader might have been spared."
William Bowyer was captured the 2nd of April 1865 at Hatcher's Run, 25 miles east of Petersburg, while attempting to carry a message to General Pickett and spent the remainder of the War on Johnson's Island near Washington D. C. Not released for some months after the end of the war. (From information submitted by Nancy Tolley, and Katherine Bowles) When war was over and he was released he was 29 years old and penniless, his property destroyed by the War. He worked for Southern Life Ins. as a general agent in Arkansas. He returned to VA in 1867 when he married Josephine Anderson. He moved to TN but returned to VA with his family in 1871, and settled in home built by his father-in-law and returned to farming in the Shenandoah Valley on "Glenwood" his wife's family estate.
is said to have loved the outdoors and riding, hunting and fishing.
22 June 1870 Lexington Town, Rockbridge Co, VA. W. B. Poindexter age 30 born VA, Josephine age 27 born VA, Miles ate 2 born VA. Residing with F. L Anderson Judge of court of Appomattox. born VA (father of Josephine).
25 June 1880 census Natural Bridge district, Rockbridge co, VA William B Poindexter is age 44 Farmer born VA. Josephine A is 38 wife born VA, Miles son is 12 born VA, Fielding Lewis son is 9 born Va, Ernest son is 7 born VA, William son is 5 born VA, George son is 3 born VA, Mary M daughter is 1 born VA, Also in household is Frances H. age 74 born VA. mother
27 April 1910 census Natural Bridge Dist, Rockbridge Co, VA William B Poindexter age 72 married 42 years born VA , Josephine A age 71 married 42 years 6 children all living. born VA.6 He was listed as a resident in the census report 2 June 1860 at Lexington PO, Rockbridge, Virginia, USA. He was listed as a resident in the census report 3 June 1860 at USA. Roll M653_1378, pg 20.
William was born 27 November 1835 at Retreat, below Richmond, Hanover, Virginia, USA. He was christened 27 November 1835 at "Retreat", Virginia, USA. He married Josephine Reid Anderson 27 June 1867 at Lexington, Virgina, USA. William died 22 March 1917 at home farm on James River, near Greenlee, Rockbridge Co, Virginia, USA,
Mr. William B. Poindexter died suddenly, after an illness of three hours, at his home in Arnolds Valley, near Greenlee, Thursday morning at 8 o'clock. His death was attributed to an attack of acute indigestion. Though an octogenerian in years, he was a vigorous man up to his last illness. His body was interred after 22 March 1917 at Stonewall Jackson Memorial cemetery, Lexington, Rockbridge Co, Virginia, USA. The interment was made in the cemetery at Lexington Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The services at the grave were conducted by Rev. Alfred T. Graham, D. D., of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Poindexter becoming a communicant of the Presbyterian church at Glasgow. The officers of the Lee-Jackson camp of Confederate veterans of which Mr. Poindexter was a member, followed the cortege as guard of honor and placed a Confederate flag upon the grave.
William was employed as a lawyer. At the age of two moved with his parents to "Malvern Hill", Virginia, situated on the James, fifteen miles below Richmond; In 1850 "Malvern Hill" was sold and the family moved to Lexington, Virginia, where William and his brother George attended the Campbell and Fuller school.
William Bowyer Poindexter lived at "Malvern Hill" on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. He volunteered in April 1861 for Troop C as a corporal this troop joined at Harpers Ferry the 1st Virginia Regiment of Calvalry commamded by J.E.B. Stuart. William Bowyer Poindexter was a dispatch rider for Major General J.E.B. Stuart. Suggested he fought in the Battle of Bull Run. Fought in many battles, Spotsylvania Court House, Winchester, Front Royal, Berryville, Cedar Creek, Fishers Hill, New Market. His horse was shot out from under him at Bridgewater,he was wounded several times, one time in 1860 while on picket duty. He left personal letters describing the death of J.E.B. Stuart at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in May 1864. "I was courier for Jeb Stuart that day. We had been marching and fighting steadily for over two weeks. We camped at Hanover Junction, arriving there the night before the battle. About 12 o'clock that night General Stuart sent for me to report to him mounted, as quickly as possible. Reaching his tent I found him seated alone at a table studying a map. Dismounting I saluted and reported myself ready to carry out his orders. " Poindexter" he replied (their families had long known each other before the War) "I am going to charge the enemy tonight and I want you with me". His horse was hitched near the tent, but no orderly and not even a sentry was anywhere about. I presumed that he had given orders for the different regiments to form in line at a certain point. In a few minutes he came from his tent, mounted his horse and we rode off together. A short distance we came up with the command, already formed in column-of fours. Proceeding with him to its front, he gave the order "forward". Marching along a road, through a piece of woods, about four hundred yards, he gave the command "Halt" he the said to me: "We will ride on: I want to find a position to place a field gun". We proceeded about four hundred yards (it was very dark), we were halted by a picket only a few paces from us. I inquire in an undertone if it were our own picket. "No the enemy," was his reply. At the same moment seven shots were fired in our direction, our horses both wheeling into some bushes to the right of the road. We soon discover neither of us nor our horses had been struck. The firing aroused the enemy's camp, which was not far away. We could hear the officers giving their orders; but no more shots were fired. Returning to our command the General remarked: "That firing spoiled my fun". His intention had been to surprise the camp.
At daybreak the enemy began passing along a parallel road half a mile from our command. We had a good view of them as they ascended a hill and General Stuart worried them considerably by dropping an occasional shell into their midst as they passed this point. When they had gotten beyond range our command took up the march, keeping between them and Richmond, until about ten o'clock that morning wham we came together at Yellow Tavern. Here
the fight began --two thousand men engaged on our side against fifteen thousand of the enemy --, but we kept it up until nearly sundown. General Stuart kept me with him, going from place to place over the battlefield, throughout the day.
Between three and four o'clock he sent me with an order to General Wickham. Returning between two fires my escape from being killed was miraculous. Reporting to General Stuart I found him dismounted, his arm through his horse's bridal, looking through a pair of field glasses, which he held in both hands. He was viewing a body of mounted cavalry across a field at the edge of a wood. He stood between two pieces of Baltimore light artillery. Receiving my report he remarked
" They are preparing yonder to charge this battery and if I haven't a regiment mounted to meet the charge, it will be captured. Poindexter have the led horses of the First Cavalry brought up at once!." The cavalry had been fighting dismounted and their mount were a mile in the rear. As I hastened to carry out this order the General mounted his horse, rode to where the First regiment was drawn up in line of battle and ordered all the troops but one to fall back and meet their horses, which I has succeeded in having brought within three hundred yards, when the enemy began its charge, which was completed before our regiment had time to mount and meet the attack. Before the smoke had cleared away and as the First Calvary, now mounted, was taking position, General Fitz Lee appeared at its head and announced that the batteries had been captured and General Stuart mortally wounded. A number of us called to General Lee:
"For God's sake let us charge the enemy now!" But he decided to order an immediate retreat, which our regiment covered, fighting all that night.
This was the last time I ever saw General Stuart. He was the greatest cavalry leader of the war and the coolest man in battle I ever knew. His men idolized him and would follow him to cannon's mouth or go anywhere he might order them. I was riding a fine horse, and went at full speed to bring up the cavalry mounts, which I reached within six minutes. Had he given the order ten minutes sooner the charge would have been repulsed and the life of this great leader might have been spared."
William Bowyer was captured the 2nd of April 1865 at Hatcher's Run, 25 miles east of Petersburg, while attempting to carry a message to General Pickett and spent the remainder of the War on Johnson's Island near Washington D. C. Not released for some months after the end of the war. (From information submitted by Nancy Tolley, and Katherine Bowles) When war was over and he was released he was 29 years old and penniless, his property destroyed by the War. He worked for Southern Life Ins. as a general agent in Arkansas. He returned to VA in 1867 when he married Josephine Anderson. He moved to TN but returned to VA with his family in 1871, and settled in home built by his father-in-law and returned to farming in the Shenandoah Valley on "Glenwood" his wife's family estate.
is said to have loved the outdoors and riding, hunting and fishing.
22 June 1870 Lexington Town, Rockbridge Co, VA. W. B. Poindexter age 30 born VA, Josephine age 27 born VA, Miles ate 2 born VA. Residing with F. L Anderson Judge of court of Appomattox. born VA (father of Josephine).
25 June 1880 census Natural Bridge district, Rockbridge co, VA William B Poindexter is age 44 Farmer born VA. Josephine A is 38 wife born VA, Miles son is 12 born VA, Fielding Lewis son is 9 born Va, Ernest son is 7 born VA, William son is 5 born VA, George son is 3 born VA, Mary M daughter is 1 born VA, Also in household is Frances H. age 74 born VA. mother
27 April 1910 census Natural Bridge Dist, Rockbridge Co, VA William B Poindexter age 72 married 42 years born VA , Josephine A age 71 married 42 years 6 children all living. born VA.6 He was listed as a resident in the census report 2 June 1860 at Lexington PO, Rockbridge, Virginia, USA. He was listed as a resident in the census report 3 June 1860 at USA. Roll M653_1378, pg 20.
Mr. William B. Poindexter died suddenly, after an illness of three hours, at his home in Arnolds Valley, near Greenlee, Thursday morning at 8 o'clock. His death was attributed to an attack of acute indigestion. Though an octogenerian in years, he was a vigorous man up to his last illness. His body was interred after 22 March 1917 at Stonewall Jackson Memorial cemetery, Lexington, Rockbridge Co, Virginia, USA. The interment was made in the cemetery at Lexington Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The services at the grave were conducted by Rev. Alfred T. Graham, D. D., of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Poindexter becoming a communicant of the Presbyterian church at Glasgow. The officers of the Lee-Jackson camp of Confederate veterans of which Mr. Poindexter was a member, followed the cortege as guard of honor and placed a Confederate flag upon the grave.
William was employed as a lawyer. At the age of two moved with his parents to "Malvern Hill", Virginia, situated on the James, fifteen miles below Richmond; In 1850 "Malvern Hill" was sold and the family moved to Lexington, Virginia, where William and his brother George attended the Campbell and Fuller school.
William Bowyer Poindexter lived at "Malvern Hill" on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. He volunteered in April 1861 for Troop C as a corporal this troop joined at Harpers Ferry the 1st Virginia Regiment of Calvalry commamded by J.E.B. Stuart. William Bowyer Poindexter was a dispatch rider for Major General J.E.B. Stuart. Suggested he fought in the Battle of Bull Run. Fought in many battles, Spotsylvania Court House, Winchester, Front Royal, Berryville, Cedar Creek, Fishers Hill, New Market. His horse was shot out from under him at Bridgewater,he was wounded several times, one time in 1860 while on picket duty. He left personal letters describing the death of J.E.B. Stuart at the Battle of Yellow Tavern in May 1864. "I was courier for Jeb Stuart that day. We had been marching and fighting steadily for over two weeks. We camped at Hanover Junction, arriving there the night before the battle. About 12 o'clock that night General Stuart sent for me to report to him mounted, as quickly as possible. Reaching his tent I found him seated alone at a table studying a map. Dismounting I saluted and reported myself ready to carry out his orders. " Poindexter" he replied (their families had long known each other before the War) "I am going to charge the enemy tonight and I want you with me". His horse was hitched near the tent, but no orderly and not even a sentry was anywhere about. I presumed that he had given orders for the different regiments to form in line at a certain point. In a few minutes he came from his tent, mounted his horse and we rode off together. A short distance we came up with the command, already formed in column-of fours. Proceeding with him to its front, he gave the order "forward". Marching along a road, through a piece of woods, about four hundred yards, he gave the command "Halt" he the said to me: "We will ride on: I want to find a position to place a field gun". We proceeded about four hundred yards (it was very dark), we were halted by a picket only a few paces from us. I inquire in an undertone if it were our own picket. "No the enemy," was his reply. At the same moment seven shots were fired in our direction, our horses both wheeling into some bushes to the right of the road. We soon discover neither of us nor our horses had been struck. The firing aroused the enemy's camp, which was not far away. We could hear the officers giving their orders; but no more shots were fired. Returning to our command the General remarked: "That firing spoiled my fun". His intention had been to surprise the camp.
At daybreak the enemy began passing along a parallel road half a mile from our command. We had a good view of them as they ascended a hill and General Stuart worried them considerably by dropping an occasional shell into their midst as they passed this point. When they had gotten beyond range our command took up the march, keeping between them and Richmond, until about ten o'clock that morning wham we came together at Yellow Tavern. Here
the fight began --two thousand men engaged on our side against fifteen thousand of the enemy --, but we kept it up until nearly sundown. General Stuart kept me with him, going from place to place over the battlefield, throughout the day.
Between three and four o'clock he sent me with an order to General Wickham. Returning between two fires my escape from being killed was miraculous. Reporting to General Stuart I found him dismounted, his arm through his horse's bridal, looking through a pair of field glasses, which he held in both hands. He was viewing a body of mounted cavalry across a field at the edge of a wood. He stood between two pieces of Baltimore light artillery. Receiving my report he remarked
" They are preparing yonder to charge this battery and if I haven't a regiment mounted to meet the charge, it will be captured. Poindexter have the led horses of the First Cavalry brought up at once!." The cavalry had been fighting dismounted and their mount were a mile in the rear. As I hastened to carry out this order the General mounted his horse, rode to where the First regiment was drawn up in line of battle and ordered all the troops but one to fall back and meet their horses, which I has succeeded in having brought within three hundred yards, when the enemy began its charge, which was completed before our regiment had time to mount and meet the attack. Before the smoke had cleared away and as the First Calvary, now mounted, was taking position, General Fitz Lee appeared at its head and announced that the batteries had been captured and General Stuart mortally wounded. A number of us called to General Lee:
"For God's sake let us charge the enemy now!" But he decided to order an immediate retreat, which our regiment covered, fighting all that night.
This was the last time I ever saw General Stuart. He was the greatest cavalry leader of the war and the coolest man in battle I ever knew. His men idolized him and would follow him to cannon's mouth or go anywhere he might order them. I was riding a fine horse, and went at full speed to bring up the cavalry mounts, which I reached within six minutes. Had he given the order ten minutes sooner the charge would have been repulsed and the life of this great leader might have been spared."
William Bowyer was captured the 2nd of April 1865 at Hatcher's Run, 25 miles east of Petersburg, while attempting to carry a message to General Pickett and spent the remainder of the War on Johnson's Island near Washington D. C. Not released for some months after the end of the war. (From information submitted by Nancy Tolley, and Katherine Bowles) When war was over and he was released he was 29 years old and penniless, his property destroyed by the War. He worked for Southern Life Ins. as a general agent in Arkansas. He returned to VA in 1867 when he married Josephine Anderson. He moved to TN but returned to VA with his family in 1871, and settled in home built by his father-in-law and returned to farming in the Shenandoah Valley on "Glenwood" his wife's family estate.
is said to have loved the outdoors and riding, hunting and fishing.
22 June 1870 Lexington Town, Rockbridge Co, VA. W. B. Poindexter age 30 born VA, Josephine age 27 born VA, Miles ate 2 born VA. Residing with F. L Anderson Judge of court of Appomattox. born VA (father of Josephine).
25 June 1880 census Natural Bridge district, Rockbridge co, VA William B Poindexter is age 44 Farmer born VA. Josephine A is 38 wife born VA, Miles son is 12 born VA, Fielding Lewis son is 9 born Va, Ernest son is 7 born VA, William son is 5 born VA, George son is 3 born VA, Mary M daughter is 1 born VA, Also in household is Frances H. age 74 born VA. mother
27 April 1910 census Natural Bridge Dist, Rockbridge Co, VA William B Poindexter age 72 married 42 years born VA , Josephine A age 71 married 42 years 6 children all living. born VA.6 He was listed as a resident in the census report 2 June 1860 at Lexington PO, Rockbridge, Virginia, USA. He was listed as a resident in the census report 3 June 1860 at USA. Roll M653_1378, pg 20.
