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Bishop Fravel Larkins

Obituary of Charles M. Bishop, Shanghai, West Virginia

After a brief illness, Charles M. Bishop died at his home, near Shanghai, W. Va., on August 10, 1919. He was born on January 23, 1840, and died in the home where he was born and lived all his life with the exception of six years. He served in the Confederate army during the entire four years of the war, going out with the militia at the opening of hostilities and enlisting in Company C of the 7th Virginia Cavalry, Ashby's "Laurel Brigade," the following spring. He participated in the many engagements which made that command famous for quick and hard service. He was taken prisoner at Orange C. H., Va., in August 1862, and was confined in the Old Capital Prison, in Washington City for about a month, when he was exchanged and rejoined his command at Brandy Station. He served continuously throughout the memorable campaign of 1864, in the Wilderness, with Early on his Washington excursion in July, etc. After the battle of Cedar Creek his command was doing picket duty until January, 1865, when he was again taken prisoner on January 29 and sent to Fort McHenry, at Baltimore, where he had a strenuous time until exchanged about the 1st of March.

Many times he has laughingly told of his capture. With his brother, T. J. Bishop and a comrade, Bill Larkins, he had spent the night at the home of friends, and in the morning at sunrise they heard that the Yankees were near, and before they could get to a place of safety the house was surrounded. However, they started for the woods, but the ground was covered with ice, and they could not run with their shoes on, so they tried it in their stocking feet, but were caught at a short distance. He and his brother got back to the Valley, only to find that Early had fallen back, and they were completely cut off. As their home was near the border, it was some time after the surrender before they could venture to return.

Comrade Bishop was a staunch and true Confederate, never happier than when sitting by his fireside with loved ones, telling of his war experiences or reading the Veteran. He also enjoyed attending the Reunions and mingling with his comrades. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as an elder for many years. In March 1867, he was married to Miss Rebecca Ann Fravel, of Shenandoah County, Va., who died in 1915. He is survived by one daughter and several grandchildren, an aged sister, and one brother, T. J. Bishop.

He had lived an upright life, and example to those following him.


SOURCE: Confederate Veteran Magazine, May, 1920.


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