Maj. E.B. Pendleton, Rapides Parish, La Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 MAJ. E. B. PENDLETON of Alexandria, La., is one of the most extensive cotton planters of Rapides Parish, and is now residing on the old Bailey plantation four miles from Alexandria, on Bayou Robert's Road. The Bailey plantation was the home of the lamented Gen. Bailey, the father-in-law of our subject. It is one of the most picturesque places on Red River, and the stately old mansion is one of the landmarks that escaped destruction during the late Civil War. The spacious yards are filled with trees and shrubbery, the rarest that cultivated taste could desire or money purchase, and the massive pillars still bear witness as to the grandeur of its former days. Maj. Pendleton was born in Caroline County, Va., in 1828, and when about twenty years of age traveled to the Pacific slope by way of Cape Horn, going as sutler of Company A, United States Light Artillery, commanded by Col. Magruder. He located at San Diego, and there remained until 1857, engaged in general business. He was also treasurer of the county in which he located for a term. In the last mentioned year he returned on a visit, was induced to stay and entered business in St. Louis, Mo., remaining there until the breaking out of the war. From there he went to New York City, thence to Baltimore, Md., and later, on the underground railroad to Richmond, Va. He put up at Mrs. Surratt's Tavern, which was kept by the lamented Mrs. Surratt who was hanged for being implicated in the killing of President Lincoln. He was well acquainted with Mrs. Surratt and her daughter and son. John Surratt drove our subject a considerable distance on the underground railway. At Richmond, Va., Maj. Pendleton met his uncle Gen. Magruder and joined his staff as chief commissary, serving in the Lone Star State. He fought in the battle of Galveston, and when Gen. Magruder was ordered to Arkansas in 1864, the Major was ordered to Richmond, Va., as bearer of dispatches. He was captured en route, taken to New Orleans, thence to Fort La Fayette, and then to Fort Delaware, where he was subsequently released by order of Gen. Grant. John Mitchell, the Irish patriot, who had two sons in the Confederate Army, crossed the ocean to America, and was with Maj. Pendleton on the underground railway, to Richmond. After the war Maj. Pendleton spent some time in Canada and New York, and resumed business in St. Louis during 1866 and 1867. In 1867 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Pickett, daughter of Gen. William Bailey, and withdrew from the firm in St. Louis taking charge of his father-in-law's plantation, where he resides at the present time. Mrs. Gen. William Bailey, the mother of Mrs. Pendleton, was born in Alexandria, Halifax County, Va., in 1818, the daughter of Alexander and Sarah Butler (Henry) Scott, natives of Fauquier County, Va., and descendants from some of the best families in that State. The father was a member of the Legislature of his county. He was in the theater at Richmond that burned causing such destruction of life, and jumping from a window assisted in saving the lives of many people. The mother was a daughter of the well-known orator and statesman, Patrick Henry. Mrs. Bailey married Gen. Bailey in 1835. He was also a native of Virginia, born in Lexington, in 1804, and reared and educated in his native State. He was occupied at different times as a merchant and farmer. Some times prior to the war he moved south taking with him a large number of negroes, first settled in Mississippi, and in 1858 purchased the plantation in Louisiana, where Mrs. Bailey now resides. After the war he was almost totally wrecked financially, and died in 1878; his widow still survives him, although old in years, is well preserved, and a most brilliant and entertaining conversationalist. To Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton were born these children: Eugene, Allen B. (of Laclede National Bank, St. Louis), and Alice. Two children, Florence and Hattie, are deceased. The Major as well as his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is recorder of Summit Council No. 12, and scribe in Keystone Chapter No. 44, A. F. & A. M. His parents, John L. and Elizabeth (Magruder) Pendleton, were natives of the Old Dominion. The mother was a sister of Gen. Magruder, and a sister also of Capt. George Magruder of the navy [for genealogy see sketch of Judge Thompson].