Death of Lt. J. Rudhall White-- Part 2: An Eulogy

From "History of the 118th  Pennsylvania Volunteers: The Corn Exchange Regiment."

"White was a handsome, soldiery young man of scarce twenty summers.    A native of Warrenton, Virginia, at the breaking  out of the war, he was a young lieutenant in the Black Horse Cavalry, a command subsequently famous in all the campaigns  of Virginia.

"Differing in sentiments among his friends and his family, sacrificing the ties of home and  friendship, he was determined to defend his convictions with his sword.  Firm in his belief that the unrighteous attempt to disrupt the Government should be suppressed, imbued with the purest and highest patriotism, he sought service in the Union  army.  (Even though a native of Virginia and with all his family and friends siding with the Confederacy, he determined to go with his country.)

"Instinctively a soldier by principle, his sad and early death interrupted a career that promised the brightest prospects.  His short service had secured him the confidence of his superiors and respect of the soldiers."

A Loss.  --Old Secesh

Virginia's Black Horse Cavalry

From the Encyclopedia Virginia.

In the last post, I mentioned that Lt. J. Rudhall White who was killed at the Battle of Shepherdstown as a member of the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry was a native of Warrenton, Virginia, and had been a member of the famed Black Horse Cavalry before he threw in his lot with the Union. 

The Black Horse Cavalry was conceived by a gathering of Warrenton lawyers in 1858 and was among the local militia groups called to active duty by Governor Henry Wise in 1859.

The Black Horse Cavalry led a successful charge against Union forces at the First Battle of Bull Run, winning the special praise of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.  Known as Company H of the 4th Virginia Cavalry, the unit served as  bodyguard, escort  and scout for generals Joseph E, Johnston and  Stonewall Jackson.

Following the war, a number of men from the group became prominent  leaders in the state.

--Old Secesh