Snowden-Warfield
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Civil War Heroes
   
 

Three of Nicholas Snowden's (1786-1831) children served in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. Dr. Arthur Montieth Snowden served as surgeon in the Confederate army.

Dr. Arthur Monteith Snowden graduated from Georgetown University and the University of Maryland with a degree in Medicine. He served as Assistant Surgeon at the General Hospital in Staunton, VA, for the Confederate Army. It is written that his life was cut short by drowning when he fell overboard from the Wenonah steamship on the Chesapeake Bay in rough seas on July/August 28, 1869. His body was never recovered.

Dr. DeWilton Snowden was said to be the brightest student at Georgetown College and studied medicine at the University of Maryland. He was a member of the State Legislature and President of the Laurel Electric Company. He served through the entire Civil War on the Confederate side, initially as First Sergeant of the First Maryland Artillery (CSA) commanded by Richard Snowden Andrews, then as Assistant Surgeon of the 2nd MD infantry (CSA) commanded by his cousin Lieutenant-Colonel James R. Herbert. He was highly commended by General Robert E. Lee for care of the wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, including his cousin Lieutenant-Colonel James R. Herbert who fell seriously injured. His name appears on the list of officers who surrendered at Appomattox, VA, April 9, 1865.

Second Lieutenant Nicholas N. Snowden (last in this line to be born in Montpelier) graduated from Georgetown University. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army to fight for the cause of the South. He served in the 1st Maryland Infantry Battalion (CSA), Company D. As a "gallant and brave officer" he fought in the First Battle of Manassas. While rushing head on into a shower of bullets from Yankee sharpshooters concealed behind a fence near Harrisonburg, VA, he fell pierced by three balls on June 6, 1862. He died in the arms of his cousin, Captain James R. Herbert, of the same company. Col Bradley T. Johnson's official report read, "Here also fell Second Lieutenant Nicholas Snowden, a true and brave soldier, who died as became his life, in the arms of victory, with his face to the foe". General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson posthumously awarded Nicholas the rank of Major for his gallant actions during the battle. In 1884 his body and tombstone were removed from Union Church Cemetery in Cross Keys, VA, and moved to the Confederate Hill section of the Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore, MD. The stone marker was buried deep to match the other stones in the area.

Other Notable Snowdens:

J.H. Snowden - Lieutenant, 21st Virginia Infantry, Maryland Guard Company B - Resident: Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Charles Alexander Snowden - Major, Cosby's Cavalry Brigade - Resident: Laurel, Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Edward F. Snowden - Private, 54th Virginia Infantry, Company D - Resident: Laurel, Prince Georges County, Maryland.

George T. Snowden - Captain, Davis's Maryland Cavalry, Company D - Resident: Howard County, Maryland.

Gustavus Warfield Snowden - No records.

John Capron Snowden - Private, 1st Maryland Cavalry, Company C - Resident: Prince Georges County, Maryland.

John Hudson Snowden - Lieutenant, Aid de Camp for General L. Northrop staff - Resident: Laurel, Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Richard M. Snowden - Major, Adjutant and Assistant Inspector General for General L. Polk's staff - Resident: Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Thomas Herbert Snowden - Private, 13th North Carolina Light artillery, Company A - Resident: Baltimore County, Maryland.

William Snowden - Private, Maryland Guerilla Zouaves - Resident: Laurel Factory, Prince Georges County, Maryland.

 

James E. Bebermeyer, son of Helen Warfield Bebermeyer, has written an in-depth Treatise on the Civil War and family members who fought for the Southern cause. This treatise, entitled "The Life and Times of Lt. Nicholas N. Snowden, CSA, is currently available in the Gift Shop at Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD.
   
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©2005 George A. Scheele MD