Virginia Civil War Biographies Page

Brigadier-General R. D. Lilley entered the Confederate service in the spring of i86i as captain of the Augusta Lee Rifles, a volunteer company, which marched through the mountains under Col. J. M. Heck, after the battle of Philippi, to recruit the forces in western Virginia. At Huttonsville, General Garnett ordered two regiments to be formed from the volunteer and militia organizations, and the Rifles was assigned to the Twenty-fifth Virginia infantry, under Colonel Heck. This regiment occupied Rich mountain, and there Captain Lilley, in command of his company, took part in the defense of Camp Garnett. During the night retreat from that post, he and part of his company followed the lead of Major Hotchkiss, over the mountain, and reached Beverly in safety; but the remainder of the column became separated and were captured by McClellan. He remained with the army of the Northwest through the fall and winter of 1861, and shared its valorous service in the defeats of the Federals at the Greenbrier river and Alleghany mountain, and at McDowell in May, 1862. Subsequently his regiment was attached to Early's brigade of Ewell's division, and he was identified with the career of that famous brigade throughout 1862. At the battle of Cedar Mountain he attracted the attention of General Early by his gallantry in advancing among the foremost, with a small body of men, including the color-bearer, after the regiment had been thrown in disorder by a rear attack. At Second Manassas he again won commendation for his gallantry in driving back a column of the enemy while in command of the brigade skirmish line. He was promoted major in January, 1863. In April and May, the Twenty-fifth was with Imboden in western Virginia, and rejoining the army was assigned to J. M. Jones' brigade of the Stonewall division. Major Lilley won high praise by his services in command of the skirmish line of this brigade at Gettysburg, and was promoted lieutenant-colonel. He served with distinction at Mine Run, and after the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House was promoted brigadier-general and assigned to the command of Early's old brigade. In this capacity he served in the expedition through Maryland against Washington. Soon after his return to the Valley he was severely wounded and captured at a battle near Winchester, July 20, i864, but was recaptured four days later. On November 28, i864, he was given command of the reserve forces of the Valley district, where he served during the remainder of the war. General Lilley died November 12, 1886.

Confederate Military History, Vol. III, pp. 627-628

Submit your website to 40 search engines for FREE!