Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/69

during place in the affection of the people of his county and state and so established himself in their confidence and esteem that on frequent occasions he was honored by important and responsible public offices. Until after passing his fourteenth year he attended the schools of his native county. While still a mere boy he began his active business life by entering a mercantile and tobacco house, where he remained until he had almost attained his manhood. He then became deputy sheriff of Amherst county, and while holding this position diligently studied law, being admitted to the bar at Amherst court house, in March, 1849. He immediately entered upon active practice of his profession, practicing law in Amherst, Lynchburg and Nelson, and was rapidly winning his way to the front rank, when the war between the states broke out. Filled with the ardent patriotism of a true southerner, Major Whitehead at once proffered his services, and throughout the desperate struggle stood firmly by the cause which he loved, and contributed in many ways to the lasting glory of the Confederate arms. He entered the military service in April, 1861, receiving a commission as lieutenant of cavalry. He was assigned to the Thirtieth Regiment of Virginia volunteers, which later in the year was enrolled as the Second Virginia Cavalry Regiment. At the reorganization in 1862 he was unanimously elected captain of Company E of this command, and with this rank he served until wounded severely at Trevilian Station. June 11, 1864. On account of his resulting disability he was assigned to duty on the board of inquiry at Charlottesville, where he served until the evacuation of Richmond, in the meantime receiving his commission as major. His military services included faithful and gallant duty in many important battles and campaigns, among them the battles of First Manassas, Dranesville, Middleburg, Fredericksburg, Front Royal, two battles at Winchester, Barnesville, the fight in which Ashby fell, Dunkers Church, Port Republic, the Seven Days before Richmond, Cedar Mountain, the two engagements at Harper's Ferry, Stuart's raid in Pennsylvania, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Greenwood and Funkstown, Todd's Tavern, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Yellow Tavern, Beaver Dam, Ashland, Hawe's Shop (where he cut his way through the federal lines with four companies of his command), Wilson's landing, the raid from Raccoon Ford, by Stevensburg, Brandy Station or Beverley's Ford, the Stafford Raid, with fighting at Hartwood church and Falmouth, Kellyville, Second Manassas, Occoquan River, the raid after Averell, driving him into West Virginia, and Trevilian Station. After this arduous service with the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, he was paroled at Amherst court house, where he resumed the practice of his profession. He had been elected in March, 1865. to the Virginia senate, but under the changed conditions could not take his seat. In 1866 he was elected commonwealth attorney for this county, but was removed by the military authority after about one year's service. In 1869, being again elected, he served his term. In 1872 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress and was elected by a large majority. In his term of service in Congress he served his constituency with marked fidelity and ability and was particularly noted for uprightness of conduct and the strict probity of his convictions in all things political.

Major Whitehead was a Democrat of the most uncompromising type, and in numberless campaigns stumped the state in the interests of its nominees. He was a vigorous, forceful speaker, and the most eloquent and able orators dreaded to meet him. Some of his meetings with men of state and national reputation are historical. At various times he stumped the state almost from end to end for the Democratic nominees and even in his latter years was willing to under- go almost any fatigue to insure their triumph.

While pursuing his profession as a lawyer, Major Whitehead invaded the newspaper field, and also established his reputation for ability as an editor. His first venture was the "Amherst Enterprise," which he conducted until he removed to Lynchburg in 1876 and took charge of the "News." Subsequently he established the "Lynchburg Advance" and "Whitehead's Democrat." In 1887 he was elected commissioner of agriculture, succeeding Colonel Randolph Harrison. At that time the power to fill that position was vested in the legislature. and although he entered the field late, he was elected almost unanimously, the members of the legislature recognizing his sig-