DINWIDDIE COUNTY, VIRGINIA - LETTERS (AUTO-BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN GRAMMER, JR.) File contributed for ue in USGenWeb Archives by: SALLYLAPIN Dr. J. Grammer Houston, Virginia Mar. 1st, 1893 Dear Sir, I am the John Grammer, jr, who was Captain, Major, Lt. Col. & Colonel of the 53rd Va Reg. C.S.A., & afterwards Surgeon in the same, & there is no one who can give you my annals so well as myself. If you want them, though it is a delicate matter, I will try to give them to you as succinctly & modestly as I may. Of course I give you the following data only as such, & expect you to modify, correct or omit anything that you please, giving the whole in your own language & in your own way. Was born June 21st 1833, at Locust Grove, Dinwiddie co. Va, oldest child of John and Maria Ellen Meade Grammer. When about 2 years old, my father moved to Lawrenceville, Brunswick Co. Va, three years later to Halifax Co. Va. In 1848 was sent to the Epis. High School of Va, & continued there two sessions. After a year at home teaching my Brothers & Sisters, went to the University of Va, where I remained four sessions, studying Medecine during the last . Three academic diplomas, Latin, French & German, were the fruits of my idleness there. In 1855 went to New York City, & graduated from the N. Y. Medical College in March 1856. In the fall of that year entered upon the duties of assistant Physician in the N.... Hospital, Randall’s Island, New York & remained there 13 mos. Then returned to my home in Halifax C. H. and commenced the practice of medecine. In 1859 a volunteer company was organized at Halifax C. H. , on account of the agitated state of the country, and the feeling of insecurity in regard to the negroes. This was first called the Halifax Blues, afterwards Halifax Light Infantry, & finally became Co. A 53rd Reg. Va Vols. There not being a military man in the community, I, though utterly ignorant, was pitched upon to do the best I could as Captain. I learned the Manual of Arms, in front of a looking glass with the Gilham’s Tactics open before me. Some months after the organization Thomas H. Barksdale, now of Roanoke City, (afterwards a Lieutenant in the Company) Drill-master. The Halifax Light Infantry was, I think, the 5th Co. mustered into the service of Virginia, when Sumter had been fired upon & volunteer companies were being hurried to Richmond. We remained at the Camp of ..struction at Ashland Col. Dick Ewell (afterwards General) being the Commandant, two or three weeks, & were then ordered to Yorktown, & formed part of a Battallion under Major E. B. Montague (afterwards Col. 32nd Va Reg.). We were present and under fire at the Battle of Bitt..., but did no fighting, “the bowld sojer boys” of old Ben Butler, over 5000 strong , being repulsed by a section of the Richmond Howitzers & two companies of D. H. Hill’s N. C. Reg. For awhile at Camp Magruder, near Williamsburg, we composed a part of the 32nd Va Reg, then under Col. Ben Ewell. Just before McLellan’s landing on the Peninsula, we were taken south of James River, and assigned finally to the 53rd, Col. Harrison B. Tow..., Comd. Inthe fall of 62 I received the three commissions, all at once, of Major, Lt. Col. & Colonel, the first two not having been forwarded to me when issued. In May 1863, owing to a continued state of ill-health, & a chronic state of disagreement between General Armistead (my Brigadier) & myself, I resigned the command of the 53rd & requested permission to appear before the Army Medical Examining Board. In September I stood my examination, passed as full surgeon & was ordered to the Department of Western Virginia & East Tennessee. Here, sometimes in Echols’, sometimes in Inborden’s Brigades, I served during the rest of the war, being present at General Sam Jones’ disaster at Droo.. Mountain (where I lost 2 horses), at Breckenridge’s victory at Newmarket, at Tottapotamy, at 2nd Cold Harbor & Gaines’ Mill, at Early’s feint upon Washington, & all his subsequent disasters. Since the war have been practicing Medecine at Halifax C. H. (now Houston). Am a member of the Va Medical Society, and served one term as its second vice- president, also a member of the American Medical Association. I am a story, but must leave it to you to cut and slash as you please. All that I know of Dr. David Walker, who married my aunt Dorothy Withers Grammer, is that he was the son of an old Mrs. Walker who owned a handsome place and estate in Dinwiddie called Kingston. He was educated in medecine ar Edinburgh, married my Aunt, May 18th 1813, & died July 16th 1816. As to the annals of other Halifax men, I suppose they would give them themselves if you would write to them. The only Field Officers that I can recall at present as being from this county, are Col. Thos H. Owen, So. Boston, who commanded the 3rdCav. I think, & Maj. H. A. Edmondson, 53rd Va Inf, Houston Va. If I can be of any further service to you, please command me. Yrs Very Truly JGrammer ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************