| Roger Preston Chew | |
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| Born: | April 9, 1843 |
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| Place of Birth: | {{{place of birth}}} |
| Died: | March 16, 1921 (aged 77) |
| Place of Death: | {{{place of death}}} |
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| Birth Name: | {{{birth name}}} |
| Allegiance: | Confederate States of America |
| Participation(s): | {{{participations}}} |
| Branch: | Confederate States Army |
| Service Years: | {{{service years}}} |
| Rank: | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Service number : | {{{servicenumber}}} |
| Unit: | |
| Commands: | Stuart Horse Artillery |
| Battles: | American Civil War |
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| Relations: | {{{relations}}} |
| Other work: | {{{otherwork}}} |
Roger Preston Chew (April 9, 1843 – March 16, 1921) was a noted horse artillery commander in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. After the war, he was a prominent West Virginia businessman and railroad executive.
Chew was born into a prominent family in Charles Town, West Virginia (then Virginia). The Chew family owned the The Hermitage, one of the oldest houses in western Virginia.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, young Chew raised a battery of horse artillery, "Chew's Battery," which eventually became part of the famous Laurel Brigade under Stonewall Jackson's command. He participated in all Jackson's campaigns until Jackson's death in May 1863; and, despite his youth, was promoted to the chief of the cavalry's guns under J.E.B. Stuart. He served through the Gettysburg Campaign, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign.[1]
After the war, Chew married Louise Fontaine Washington, daughter of the last owner of Mount Vernon at Blakeley.[2] He engaged in numerous business ventures and was the president of the Eagle Manufacturing Company. In 1883, the Shenandoah Valley Railroad constructed what became known as Chew's Siding, a private spur that led from the main line to Chew's business. In 1890, with several business partners, he formed the Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing, and Improvement Company and became its first president.[3]
Chew's wife, purchased her financially struggling uncle's mansion, "Blakeley", in 1875, and maintained ownership until 1892 when she sold it.[4]
References[]
- Longacre, Edward G., Lee's Cavalrymen: A History of the Mounted Forces of the Army of Northern Virginia, Stackpole Books, 2002, ISBN 0-8117-0898-5.
Notes[]
- ↑ Longacre
- ↑ Jean T. Crolius (January, 1993), National Register of Historic Places Nomination: The HermitagePDF (5.01 MB), National Park Service
- ↑ Geoffrey Henry and Jared N. Tuk (April 10, 2001), National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing, and Improvement Company BuildingPDF (4.94 MB), National Park Service
- ↑ Michael Pauley (December 7, 1981), National Register of Historic Places Nomination: BlakeleyPDF (4.64 MB), National Park Service
External links[]
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