Historical Rosters Database

  • {{ display(decade) }}

Cary Breckinridge

Roster ID 722
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:Cary
Middle Name:
Last Name:Breckinridge
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1860
Biography & Genealogy:Cary Breckinridge, Class of 1860. Born- 5 October 1839. Matriculated from Fincastle, VA. At VMI 4 years; graduated on July 4, 1860. Military Record: Entered service 17 May 1861 at Fincastle, VA for 1 year as 2nd Lt, Company C, 2nd Virginia Cavalry. Elected Capt 30 January 1862. Made Maj 25 April 1862. Severly wounded in action at Second Manassas, August 1862. Captured 17 March 1863 at Kelly's Ford. Held Old Capitol Prison, DC. Exchanged April 1863. Wounded in action 11 October 1863 at Raccoon Ford. Wounded in action (right leg) at Opequon 21 August 1864. In hospital (Charlottesville, Richmond). Made Lt Col on 5 January 1865. Praised for services in Appomattox Campaign. Post War Career: Farmer, Banker, School Official, Public Official. Married Virginia Calwell in 1866. Representative for Botetourt County in Virgina House of Delegates 1869-1871. On VMI Board of Visitors 1888-1890. Mayor of Fincastle 1914-1918. Epsicopalian. Died- 11 May 1918 in Fincastle, VA. Buried in family cemetery in Botetourt County. Brother of Breckinridge, PG '57; Breckinridge, J '58; and Breckinridge, GW '67.

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