Virginia Civil War Biographies Page

Brigadier General Beverly Holcombe Robertson

Brigadier-General Beverly Holcombe Robertson, a native of Virginia, was graduated at the United States military academy in 1849, and promoted to brevet second lieutenant of the Second dragoons. After a year at the cavalry school at Carlisle, Pa., he was promoted second lieutenant, and ordered to the West. He served in New Mexico, Kansas and Nebraska, participating in battle with the Apache Indians at Tornado del Muerto, and with the Sioux at Blue Water, and earning promotion to first lieutenant, until 1859, when, being ordered to Utah, he became adjutant of his regiment and acting assistant adjutant-general of the department of Utah. He was promoted captain March 3, 1861, but in August, having severed his connection with the United States service, he accepted a commission as colonel, Virginia volunteer cavalry. In the cavalry brigade organized by General Stuart in the latter part of i86i, he commanded the Fourth regiment, Virginia cavalry. After Yorktown had been abandoned, and the Federal lines were close to Richmond, he made a gallant fight at New Bridge, in an attempt to repossess Mechanicsville, exercising brigade command in the action. In June, Jackson having concluded his Valley campaign, Robertson was promoted brigadier-general and sent to Mount Jackson to take command of Ashby's cavalry, and protect that region. From Ashby's command was organized the Seventh cavalry regiment, Col. W. E. Jones; the Twelfth regiment, Col. A. W. Harman; and the Seventeenth battalion (later the Eleventh regiment), Maj. O. R. Funsten. These, with the Sixth regiment, Col. P. S. Flournoy, and the Second regiment, Col. T. T. Munford (which had accompanied Jackson), constituted Col. Robertson's brigade when he rejoined Stuart on the Rapidan river in August. Very soon afterward he participated in the victory at Brandy Station, and was congratulated by Stuart upon the superior discipline and stability of the command he had organized. During the battle of Groveton he was in command on the right holding back Porter, and on the 3oth of August, made a handsome cavalry h a an t Buford's brigade, on the Federal left flank, On driving the enemy and capturing 300 prisoners. On September 5th, General Robertson was ordered to the department of North Carolina for the organization and instruction of cavalry troops. In this capacity he displayed excellent ability, also participating in the demonstration against New Bern in March, 1863. Of his brigade he led two regiments, the Fourth and Fifth North Carolina cavalry, to reinforce Stuart in May, 1863; took an important part in the fight at Upperville, and during the Gettysburg campaign, commanded the cavalry division left with the main army, with orders to watch the enemy, and follow in the rear of Lee, after Stuart started on his raid through Maryland. This division consisted of his North Carolina brigade and his former Virginia brigade, now commanded by W. E. Jones. On the last day of the Gettysburg battle his command fought a cavalry battle near Fairfield, and during the retreat was engaged in repeated skirmishes, particularly at Funkstown and Hagerstown. After the return to Virginia, his two regiments having been reduced to 300 men, he asked to be transferred to another field. and was assigned in October to the command of the Second district of South Carolina. In this field he remained, with enlarged command, during the remainder of the war, defeating the Federal attempt to possess John's Island in July, 1864, commanding the cavalry forces which covered the retreat of Hardee from Charleston, and participating in several engagements with Sherman's troops. General Robertson is now engaged in the insurance business at Washington, D. C.

Confederate Military History, Vol. III, pp. 656-658

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