Historical Rosters Database

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Charles Edward Ford

Roster ID 1294
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:Charles
Middle Name:Edward
Last Name:Ford
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1863
Biography & Genealogy:Charles Edward Ford, Class of 1863: Born- Nov. 23, 1841. Matriculated from Fairfax Court House, VA. At VMI 2 years. Military Record: Drillmaster in Richmond during the spring of 1861; unofficial source says he served with the 2d South Carolina at First Manassas; in fall of 1862, he joined Captain G.W. Brown's (VMI Class of 1863) Company of Virginia Horse Artillery; promoted to 2d Lieutenant on Sep. 22, 1862 (date of rank August 9); promoted to 1st Lieutenant on Dec. 10, 1863; won praise on February 21, 1863 when with the section of artillery he drove two gunboats down the Rappahannock River; Killed in Action at Hanover Court House where he commanded his guns "with conspicuous gallantry." Died- May 31, 1864 (though some records indicate May 25); buried first on nearby farm of Brigadier General W.C.W. Wickham; soom moved to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516