Mann R. P. Castleman and the Survivors of the Clarke County Cavalry

Survivors of the Clark County Cavalry circa 1888

Mann R. P. Castleman, "was a member of the organizations known as the Survivors of the Clarke Cavalry and of the J. E. B. Stuart Camp C. V., both of this county." [ quote from Clarke Courier, 1 Nov 1899]

In "A Rebel Cavalrymen" by John Newton Opie, 1899, the dedication in the book reads: "This book is dedicated, with everlasting friendship and abiding affection, to the " Clarke Cavalry," a troop of Virginian horsemen, who served in the Confederate Army from Harper's Ferry to Appomattox. No more gallant, heroic, and chivalrous men than they ever wielded the sabre or rode up to the cannon's mouth. Truly, they were noblemen, trusty friends, unfaltering soldiers, generous enemies, — the true type of the gentleman, the old-time Virginian, and the Southern horseman. Affectionately inscribed by the AUTHOR." Staunton, Va., March 10, 1897.

Medal given to Survivors of The Clarke Cavalry Co. D. 6th VA. C.S.A. 

Excerpt from "A Rebel Cavalrymen": 

CHAPTER LXXI. THE "CLARKE CAVALRY" AT TREVILIAN'S STATION..
...
The narrator of the following facts was a private in Company "D", Sixth Virginia cavalry, known as the ' ' Clarke County Troop, ' ' and, without any pretense to historical accuracy as to dates, the position of our forces, etc., he relies entirely upon his memory, made somewhat indistinct by the lapse of more than thirty years.....His horse escaped, and the following day, when the main fight took place, was ridden by our gallant color-bearer, Mann R. Castleman. The guns, which we thought we had captured, were immediately turned on the fleeing remnant, and, as I lay stretched upon the field, I remember, very distinctly, seeing General Custer and hearing his order given to the artil lerymen to fire. "Much has been written about the inhumanity of soldiers upon the battlefield; and, before I close this sketch, I must record some facts, to the honor and glory of Custer's command. In the first place, one of them kindly and tenderly helped me to drag myself from the open field to the shade of the woods, where I lay all day, just in rear of the enemy's line of battle, and water was brought and given me, repeatedly, during that long day — the nth of June, 1864 — and coffee was also brought me. At nightfall, I was tenderly carried in a blanket by four of Custer's soldiers, and laid alongside two other wounded comrades; one, Lieut. Nat. Willis, wounded through the lungs, like myself, and another, whose name I cannot now recall, shot through the abdomen, who died that night in great agony. We were also given blankets to keep us warm. 

Obituary of Mann R. P. Castleman

Mann R. P. Castleman Obituary: 
A dispatch was received here on Sunday announcing the death at the hospital in Staunton of Mr. M. R. P. Castleman, of this county, which occurred early that morning from apoplexy, aged about 65 years. Mr. Castleman went to the hospital at that place for treatment several months ago and was improving quite satisfactorily when his earthly career was suddenly terminated as above stated.

He was a gallant Confederate soldier, and for a while carried the colors of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry, and no one bore them more heroically. During the war, he was elected a member of the House of Delegates by his comrades in arms. Since the war, he has followed farming and milling for a livelihood. He was a member of the organizations known as the Survivors of the Clarke Cavalry and of the J. E. B. Stuart Camp C. V., both of this county. He is a brother of Mr. John R. Castleman, who was also a gallant Confederate soldier and is a prominent citizen of this county.

The deceased is survived by a widow, two daughters, and two sons.

His body was brought home and interred in Green Hill Cemetery on Tuesday morning.

[source: Clarke Courier, November 1, 1899, page 3]

Mann R P Castleman, Patient Records and Cause of Death from the Western State Hospital Collection. The Western State Hospital began in 1825 as the Western Lunatic Asylum for insane white persons.

Source: Library of Virginia

Western State Hospital Collection

Series IV. Patient Records, 1826-1996

Volume 250

Title: Admission Register (#5205-9458), 1896-1913

No. & (Line): 5863 (11)

Previous Admission #: (blank)

First Name: Mann R P

Last Name: Castleman

Occupation: Farmer

Admission Date: 1899/09/13

Gender: Male

Age: 61

Year of Birth: (Calculated): 1838

Social Relations: Married

Education: Fair

Nativity: Virginia

Residence: Clarke

No. Attacks: 1

Supposed Cause/Form: Business troubles / Acute melancholia

Duration: 3 months

Death or Release: Died

Date of Death: 1899/10/29

Cause of Death: Apoplexy

Remarks: Two brothers were insane

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** According to my own research there is one verifiably insane brother, Charles F Castleman, who attempted to murder his wife and children and was later put into an asylum. The identity of the other insane brother I do not know.

Letter from Alfred Castleman of Virginia regarding Pension for Service in the War of 1812.

Berryville, Clarke County

Virginia

Jany 31, 1879

Dear Sir,
Your favor of the 21st -??? duly rec'd, and contents noted. My infirmity from age does not permit me to remember with precision whethor or not I rec'd a land warrant or not; but if the record shows the fact then I must have gotten it, since I was very intimately acquainted with Benjamin Morgan & Treadwell Smith, who are both now dec'd. Col. Benjamin Morgan married my own niece, and Treadwell Smith was for some years engaged in business connections with me - evidence of which I send you. There was never any other Alfred Castleman in Capt Taylor's Company, except myself. In fact I am the only per-son in Virginia by the name of Alfred Castle-man. Enclosed you will find agreement returned with oath to signature accepted.

Alfred Castleman