The Biographical Dictionary of America/Barringer, Rufus

​BARRINGER, Rufus, soldier, was born near Concord, N.C., Dec. 15, 1821; son of Paul and Elizabeth (Brandon) Barringer. He was graduated at the University of North Carolina in 1842. He read law with his brother at Concord, N.C., finished his legal training under Chief Justice Pearson at Mocksville, N.C., and opened a law office at Concord. He was Whig in politics, and in 1848 was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, where he urged the construction of a railroad from Charlotte to Danville, and otherwise advocated a progressive system of internal improvements, including the North Carolina railroad. The following session he represented his district in the state senate. His growing practice claimed his entire attention until 1860 when, as a Whig elector, he made an energetic canvas in behalf of Bell and Everett. He opposed secession, but when war became inevitable, he prepared to assist in the defence of his native state, raised a company of cavalry, afterwards Company F, 1st North Carolina cavalry, was commissioned captain May 16, 1861; major, Aug. 26, 1863, and three months later he was promoted lieutenant-colonel. In June, 1864, he was commissioned brigadier-general, and was promoted to the command of the North Carolina cavalry brigade consisting of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th regiments. General Barringer was seventy-six actions, received three wounds, and had two horses killed under him. He was taken prisoner at Namozine church, Va., April 3, 1865, and held until August, 1865. On returning to North Carolina, he engaged in the practice of law until 1884, and advocated qualified negro suffrage as a southern policy co-operating with the Republican party until 1888, when he supported the nomination of Grover Cleveland on the ground of tariff reform. He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1875; Republican candidate for lieutenant-governor of North Carolina in 1880, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in 1884. He is the author of “A History of the 1st North Carolina,” and of other war articles. He died Feb. 3, 1895.