History of Chamblissburg, (Bedford County) Virginia United States of America

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William Parham Chambliss, soldier, was born in Chamblissburg, Va., March 20, 1827. He was educated for the law, and served in the war with Mexico as 2nd lieutenant in the 1st Tennessee volunteers from 1846 until July, 1847, when he was promoted contain of the 3rd Tennessee volunteers. At the close of the war he practised his profession in Pulaski, Tenn., 1850-55; edited the Citizen, a Democratic newspaper, 1850-55 and was a member of the state legislature, 1853-54. In March, 1855, he was given a commission as 1st lieutenant 2nd cavalry, United States army, and stationed in Texas. In April, 1861, he was promoted captain, and in August of the same year was transferred to the 5th cavalry, served in the civil war during the Manassas and peninsular campaigns, and was brevetted major May 4, 1862, for meritorious conduct at Hanover Court House, Va. He was severely wounded at the battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862, and, after lying exposed on the battlefield for four days, was taken to Libby prison. He received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel for his gallantry at Gaines' Mills, and after his release from Libby he served as instructor of cavalry at West Point, N. Y., 1862-64. He was promoted major in the 4th cavalry March 30, 1864, and served as special inspector of cavalry in the division of the Mississippi, 1864-65. He accompanied his regiment to Texas in 1865, and on Nov. 1, 1867, resigned from the army to engage in business in Canada. He was afterwards reinstated in the army as major, and was retired Dec. 21, 1886, by act of Congress. He died Feb. 22, 1887.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Chamblissburg, (Bedford County) Virginia

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