Virginius Blackburn Otey

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1860, Covington, Alleghany County, VA
• Military Service: Between 1860 and 1866, Alleghany County, Virginia, USA; Private, Co. A, 27th Virginia Infantry. Carpenters Co. St. L. Art.

Notes:

As told by Anna Otey to Harold Cleveland Ca. 1953

"During the Civil War, Captain Otey was assigned to Lee's command. When Lee went to Appomattox to surrender, Captain Otey did not go along. He mounted his horse and struck out for Missouri, stating bluntly that he refused to surrender. (To this day none of the Captain's side of the family has ever surrendered.) One night he found himself in the small town of Utica Mo. He went to the inn and arranged for a nights lodging. It was dark and he was tired so he went to bed without striking a light. When he awoke the next morning the first thing that met his eye was a picture of "Mr." Lincoln on the wall. Outraged, Captain Otey hauled out his side arm and blasted the picture off the wall. He then jumped through the window, and without paying his bill to 'those damn Yankees', continued on his way home. To this day, the family apparently still owes a bill to some innkeeper's family in Utica."

Side note: Captain Otey's very proper daughter Anna M. Otey took great pleasure in telling this story and could see no wrong in her father's actions. After all, the innkeepers WERE Yankees.

ADDENDUM: March of 1996

Consultation of the military records of the period indicate that the above tale, charming though it may be is open to question.

There were a some 80 Oteys who served in the Confederate army. Of that group there is listed but one Virginius B. He was a Private who served with Captain Carpenter's company of Light Artillery aka, The Alleghany Rough Artillery. The only Captain Otey was named James.* According to his pay records, Virginius was wounded July 21st, 1861, at the first battle of Manassas, and again in February, 1863 at Lynchburg having been admitted to General Hospital #1 at Richmond, February 11, of that year. He was released from General Hospital #9, Richmond, Virginia, on June 4th 1864.* (As there are no mustering out records, part of the traditional story may have been factual.)

The company muster roll states that he was 21 in 1861, and that he enlisted at Covington, Alleghany County, Virginia, with the Alleghany Light Infantry - which became, the 27th Regiment Virginia Infantry. This unit was transferred to the artillery service during the latter part of 1861. The 27th was also known as the 6th Virginia Infantry.* Regardless of its various designations, the Company was always attached to the "Stonewall Brigade".

Virginius' occupation was listed as "manager" - of what it does not say. Given the era and locale, one might speculate that he was a plantation manager (overseer?)

* See National Archives Microfilm Publications, Microcopy No. 324.
COMPILED SERVICE RECORDS OF CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS WHO SERVED INORGANIZATIONS FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. Roll 270, Capt. Carpenter's Co., Light Artillery, M-Y

Virginius married Mary Emma Cooper in 1869. Mary (daughter of Archilaus Mitchell Perkins Herndon and Ann Marian Dickinson) was born on 20 Aug 1848 in Carrollton, Carroll, Missouri, USA; died on 20 May 1931 in Carrollton, Carroll, Missouri, USA; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Carrollton, Carroll County, MO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Anna Mitchell Otey was born in Dec 1869 in Carrollton, Carroll, Missouri, USA; died in 1963.
2. Julia Emmory Otey was born on 15 Dec 1871 in Carrollton, Carroll, Missouri, USA; died on 17 Mar 1929.
3. Virginius Blackburn Otey, Jr. was born on 1 Apr 1881 in Carroll County, Missouri, USA; died on 16 Sep 1931 in Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, USA.

John married Angeline Middleton Brown about 1817. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth Buford on 1 Apr 1790. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Hopkins of Virginia and Related Families
Page 104

Col. John Otey and his wife, Mary, moved to Bedford County in 1770-71. They lived at the summit of a beautiful hill in Bedford County called "Mount Prospect," and later at "Fancy Farm." He commanded a company of riflemen in the War of the American Revolution, and the following affidavit will show one of his exploits:

"John Otey served in the Revolutionary War and held the office of Captain. Upon one occasion when the British soldiery had sailed up the river Pamunky for the purpose of robbing the citizens of their cattle, John Otey assembled his men and stationed them fifty paces apart along the bank of the river, and, as the vessel was returning, hailed and commanded that it come to shore. The British, supposing the little band armed with muskets, and unused to the rifle, began to taunt Otey's men and defy them. John Otey ordered his men to commence firing. The second shot brought down a man, the third did likewise, whereupon the Commander gave orders to land and the entire crew and body of soldiers were made prisoners. Otey issued orders that they were not to make any sign to their comrades under penalty of being shot down, and when night fell marched them in single file very near the British line of encampment, which he safely passed, delivering his prisoners to the care of the American camp. John Otey's descendants were too proud to claim a pension, and the country was never taxed for services freely rendered by him. He was of large statue and commanding appearance, of great moral firmness, and withal an humble Christian. His sons excepting Armistead, the youngest (an officer in the State Line in the War of 1812), were men of great strength and activity, and all of notable bravery, occupying high social position, they possessed the confidence and trust of those among whom they lived."

John married Mary H. Hopkins about 1764. Mary (daughter of William Hopkins and Frances) was born on 14 Jul 1739 in James City County, VA; died about 1815 in Bedford County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY: Captain of the Bedford County militia, 1776-78; magistrate 1782; High Sheriff 1790

Henry married Mildred Blackburn in 1771. Mildred died in 1802. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]