User:Rebjeb

Charles Baskerville, Mississippi soldier and Confederate government agent 1821-1890

Charles Baskerville Jr. son of Charles and Elizabeth Ann (Coleman) was born on February 14, 1821 in Mecklenburg Co. Virginia. Baskerville is an ancient Virginia family with roots in Old Dominion’s early history. On November 17, 1841 Charles married Margaret Haynes Frear in Mecklenburg Co. Virginia. In about 1851 they moved west to Mississippi and settled near Columbus in Lowndes County. Margaret died on April 5, 1853 and was buried in the Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, and a newborn daughter, Margaret died two months later. Charles married Jane C. Roby on June 5, 1860 in Noxubee Co. Mississippi. He gained much of his wealth as a cotton broker and a mercantile in Columbus before the War, which he closed in late 1861 and organized a cavalry unit known affectionately as Baskerville’s Battalion. In January 1862, Major Charles Baskerville and his battalion were ordered to Purdy’s Landing on the Tennessee River where they served in Gen. Chalmer’s Brigade. During the Battle of Shiloh it was merged with Col. Brewer’s Mississippi Battalion to form the Alabama and Mississippi Battalion and Charles was promoted to Lieut. Colonel, and second in command. “This newly organized battalion was used extensively during events before, during, and after the battle of Shiloh. A part skirmished with Federal outposts; a detachment was sent for reconnaissance; one company was taken as escort by General Polk; the battalion was used to cover the front while the army advanced from Corinth to Shiloh field; and, three companies skirmished on the lines on the morning of April 6, participated in a flanking action that afternoon, and stayed behind after the battle for three days gathering arms from the battlefield." The Battalion was changed to the 2nd Alabama and Mississippi Cavalry Regiment, but was renamed by the War Dept. to the “8th Confederate Cavalry Regt.”. Col. Brewer was ordered to Virginia not long after taking command and Charles took command in early June 1862.  Lieut. Colonel Charles Baskerville commanded the regiment in an engagement at Blackland, Mississippi where after a disagreement between him and Gen. Chalmers, Charles resigned on the field.  Charles’ two sons, Charles III and John W., also served in the Confederate army. In 1863 he hosted an extended stay at his residence for James D.B. DeBow, a noted secessionist and pro-slavery advocate. DeBow was noted for his popular publication “DeBow’s Review” and “Industrial Resources of the Southern and Western States”. Charles took on a primary role in the Confederate governments Produce Loan Bureau and became a general agent for the transfer of cotton. The bureau was headed by DeBow and Charles reported directed to him. Charles Baskerville and James D.B. DeBow spent much time in Columbus and DeBow eventually purchased a home there. After the War, Charles moved his family to Brooksville, Noxubee Co. Mississippi where he owned a sizable farm. During re-construction, Charles was involved in several disputes with local carpetbaggers cheating freed slaves on his plantation. He was instrumental in resolving these problems among the residents, freedmen, and carpetbaggers in the area. He planted the remainder of his life in Lowndes and Noxubee counties. He had six children who reached adulthood; John, Bettie, Mary, Charles, Sarah, and Alice. Charles III, went on to become a prominent and well known physician in Columbus. Colonel Charles Baskerville died in Lowndes Co. Mississippi on June 23, 1890 and was buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Mississippi.

Military fact were obtained from: Military History of Mississippi, 1803 - 1898 by Rowland, Dunbar.