Information provided by #47351306:
The Military History of the Virginia Military Institute from 1839-1861
Jennings C. Wise
1915
Transcribed by Helen Coughlin
Beverley T. Hunter
Second Lieutenant BEVERLEY T. HUNTER, of Martinsburg, Virginia, matriculated by his sister in Louisiana, July 18, 1845. Son of Moses T. Hunter, a brilliant lawyer and wit, and a soldier in the War of 1812, and his wife Mary Snicker. His parents dying while their two daughters and three sons were very young, the latter went to live with their father’s sister, the wife of Judge Henry St. George Tucker, professor of law at the University of Virginia.
In this happy home they remained until the marriage of one of the sisters to Mr. Alfred Conrad Weeks, a large sugar planter on the Bayou Teche, Louisiana. The unmarried sister, Miss Fannie Washington Hunter, also went to Louisiana, and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Weeks. She assumed the sole care of her three younger brothers, and never was sister more devoted. It was she who signed the matriculation papers for her two brothers, Henry St. George Tucker (see sketch elsewhere in this book) and Beverley T. Hunter, when they both entered the Institute. Beverley had spent but one year at the Institute when the War with Mexico occurred. His home being in Louisiana, he volunteered as a second lieutenant in the Louisiana Mounted Volunteers. On his return to Louisiana he began the study of law, and was thus engaged when the misguided patriot, Narciso Lopez, organized his ill-fated expedition to free Cuba, in 1850. Beverley Hunter joined Lopez, and served under Saunders in Crittenden’s command, as second lieutenant, until his tragic death, August 18, 1851.
His elder brother, Henry St. George, who had also been a cadet, was at this time an ensign (later, acting lieutenant) in the United States Navy, serving on Commodore Perry’s flagship; and his younger brother was a civil engineer, engaged in building the Memphis & Charlestown Railroad....
BEVERLEY T. HUNTER
The uncertainty which developed the fate of the young gentleman whose name heads this notice has hitherto restrained those by whom his memory is highly esteemed from paying a tribute to the chivalry and worth of his character. But recent accounts have dispelled this uncertainty, and have ascertained that he is no longer among the living.
Mr. Hunter was born in Martinsburg, and was the son of the late Moses T. Hunter, Esq., of that place, and was at the time of his death twenty-five years of age. He was by nature ardent and enthusiastic; in character, brave, gallant, generous, true. He combined a disposition which was gentle, affectionate and kind, with a spirit full of daring and eager for adventure. Few men have ever realized in life the dreams of boyhood so nearly as the subject of this notice. With nothing of unamiability in his intercourse, but with the reverse thoughts of battle and strife, of high and noble contention for right against the power of wrong, of enterprise demanding struggle in order to win victory, seemed from childhood to fill his soul.
Accordingly, when the War with Mexico broke out, though engaged in an occupation which seemed to please him, he was restless and impatient, until he left his native State (he was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, at this time) for the avenue of battle; and, although it was not his fortune to be in those engagements which have given immortality to so much heroism and daring, he gained distinction wherever there was strife, by his fearless and bold character. Peace found him prepared for more sober life in which he honorably and industriously engaged for an independence, in the State of Louisiana. “During the last summer, the story of Cuban wrongs suffered under Spanish outrage, together with the fitting out of the Lopez Expedition, and the excitement thereupon, again aroused the spirit of young Hunter in a course which commended itself to his romantic love for adventure, and to his hearty sympathy in all movements which had liberty as their object. He joined that ill-fated expedition with high, pure and noble resolution to strike one blow, as he believed, in behalf of down-trodden Cuba against Spanish despotism. He may have been mistaken in his views he may have been deceived by the representations of things but his heart responded to none other than a noble motive, and recoiled from every incentive which was mean or sordid.
He was at one time, on his arrival in Cuba, with Crittenden’s command. Separated from the latter by events which it is unnecessary to detail (along with about eighteen others), he avoided the butchery to which they were mercilessly devoted, and found a fate more congenial to his daring nature.
From his intrepid conduct and unshrinking firmness, he was selected as the commander of the little band who were with him. The day after their separation from Crittenden’s force, they were attacked by a considerable body of Spaniards who called upon them to surrender. Hunter cried out, ‘Never!’ In the front rank, urging his command to the fray, and fighting (says our informant) like a tiger, he was shot down, and died instantly. With the exception of four who escaped, his friends shared the same fate.
Thus perished, in an unfortunate expedition whose attractive power has cast the pall of mourning and grief over so many hearts in the Union, one of those gallant and chivalrous spirits who need but opportunity to gain a brilliant and shining reputation.
Cuba, we fear, has shown herself untrue to her own liberty, and unworthy of his sacrifice to it. There is, however, a great source of pride in the reflection that there was nothing in the conduct, or motives, of Mr. Hunter, which would not have enabled any cause, which does not cast honor upon his name, and cause the memory of his virtues to be more fondly cherished and embalmed in the hearts of his friends.
“They made him a grave too cold and damp
For a heart so warm and true.”
The Military History of the Virginia Military Institute from 1839-1861
Jennings C. Wise
1915
Transcribed by Helen Coughlin
Beverley T. Hunter
Second Lieutenant BEVERLEY T. HUNTER, of Martinsburg, Virginia, matriculated by his sister in Louisiana, July 18, 1845. Son of Moses T. Hunter, a brilliant lawyer and wit, and a soldier in the War of 1812, and his wife Mary Snicker. His parents dying while their two daughters and three sons were very young, the latter went to live with their father’s sister, the wife of Judge Henry St. George Tucker, professor of law at the University of Virginia.
In this happy home they remained until the marriage of one of the sisters to Mr. Alfred Conrad Weeks, a large sugar planter on the Bayou Teche, Louisiana. The unmarried sister, Miss Fannie Washington Hunter, also went to Louisiana, and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Weeks. She assumed the sole care of her three younger brothers, and never was sister more devoted. It was she who signed the matriculation papers for her two brothers, Henry St. George Tucker (see sketch elsewhere in this book) and Beverley T. Hunter, when they both entered the Institute. Beverley had spent but one year at the Institute when the War with Mexico occurred. His home being in Louisiana, he volunteered as a second lieutenant in the Louisiana Mounted Volunteers. On his return to Louisiana he began the study of law, and was thus engaged when the misguided patriot, Narciso Lopez, organized his ill-fated expedition to free Cuba, in 1850. Beverley Hunter joined Lopez, and served under Saunders in Crittenden’s command, as second lieutenant, until his tragic death, August 18, 1851.
His elder brother, Henry St. George, who had also been a cadet, was at this time an ensign (later, acting lieutenant) in the United States Navy, serving on Commodore Perry’s flagship; and his younger brother was a civil engineer, engaged in building the Memphis & Charlestown Railroad....
BEVERLEY T. HUNTER
The uncertainty which developed the fate of the young gentleman whose name heads this notice has hitherto restrained those by whom his memory is highly esteemed from paying a tribute to the chivalry and worth of his character. But recent accounts have dispelled this uncertainty, and have ascertained that he is no longer among the living.
Mr. Hunter was born in Martinsburg, and was the son of the late Moses T. Hunter, Esq., of that place, and was at the time of his death twenty-five years of age. He was by nature ardent and enthusiastic; in character, brave, gallant, generous, true. He combined a disposition which was gentle, affectionate and kind, with a spirit full of daring and eager for adventure. Few men have ever realized in life the dreams of boyhood so nearly as the subject of this notice. With nothing of unamiability in his intercourse, but with the reverse thoughts of battle and strife, of high and noble contention for right against the power of wrong, of enterprise demanding struggle in order to win victory, seemed from childhood to fill his soul.
Accordingly, when the War with Mexico broke out, though engaged in an occupation which seemed to please him, he was restless and impatient, until he left his native State (he was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, at this time) for the avenue of battle; and, although it was not his fortune to be in those engagements which have given immortality to so much heroism and daring, he gained distinction wherever there was strife, by his fearless and bold character. Peace found him prepared for more sober life in which he honorably and industriously engaged for an independence, in the State of Louisiana. “During the last summer, the story of Cuban wrongs suffered under Spanish outrage, together with the fitting out of the Lopez Expedition, and the excitement thereupon, again aroused the spirit of young Hunter in a course which commended itself to his romantic love for adventure, and to his hearty sympathy in all movements which had liberty as their object. He joined that ill-fated expedition with high, pure and noble resolution to strike one blow, as he believed, in behalf of down-trodden Cuba against Spanish despotism. He may have been mistaken in his views he may have been deceived by the representations of things but his heart responded to none other than a noble motive, and recoiled from every incentive which was mean or sordid.
He was at one time, on his arrival in Cuba, with Crittenden’s command. Separated from the latter by events which it is unnecessary to detail (along with about eighteen others), he avoided the butchery to which they were mercilessly devoted, and found a fate more congenial to his daring nature.
From his intrepid conduct and unshrinking firmness, he was selected as the commander of the little band who were with him. The day after their separation from Crittenden’s force, they were attacked by a considerable body of Spaniards who called upon them to surrender. Hunter cried out, ‘Never!’ In the front rank, urging his command to the fray, and fighting (says our informant) like a tiger, he was shot down, and died instantly. With the exception of four who escaped, his friends shared the same fate.
Thus perished, in an unfortunate expedition whose attractive power has cast the pall of mourning and grief over so many hearts in the Union, one of those gallant and chivalrous spirits who need but opportunity to gain a brilliant and shining reputation.
Cuba, we fear, has shown herself untrue to her own liberty, and unworthy of his sacrifice to it. There is, however, a great source of pride in the reflection that there was nothing in the conduct, or motives, of Mr. Hunter, which would not have enabled any cause, which does not cast honor upon his name, and cause the memory of his virtues to be more fondly cherished and embalmed in the hearts of his friends.
“They made him a grave too cold and damp
For a heart so warm and true.”
Information provided by #47351306:
The Military History of the Virginia Military Institute from 1839-1861
Jennings C. Wise
1915
Transcribed by Helen Coughlin
Beverley T. Hunter
Second Lieutenant BEVERLEY T. HUNTER, of Martinsburg, Virginia, matriculated by his sister in Louisiana, July 18, 1845. Son of Moses T. Hunter, a brilliant lawyer and wit, and a soldier in the War of 1812, and his wife Mary Snicker. His parents dying while their two daughters and three sons were very young, the latter went to live with their father’s sister, the wife of Judge Henry St. George Tucker, professor of law at the University of Virginia.
In this happy home they remained until the marriage of one of the sisters to Mr. Alfred Conrad Weeks, a large sugar planter on the Bayou Teche, Louisiana. The unmarried sister, Miss Fannie Washington Hunter, also went to Louisiana, and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Weeks. She assumed the sole care of her three younger brothers, and never was sister more devoted. It was she who signed the matriculation papers for her two brothers, Henry St. George Tucker (see sketch elsewhere in this book) and Beverley T. Hunter, when they both entered the Institute. Beverley had spent but one year at the Institute when the War with Mexico occurred. His home being in Louisiana, he volunteered as a second lieutenant in the Louisiana Mounted Volunteers. On his return to Louisiana he began the study of law, and was thus engaged when the misguided patriot, Narciso Lopez, organized his ill-fated expedition to free Cuba, in 1850. Beverley Hunter joined Lopez, and served under Saunders in Crittenden’s command, as second lieutenant, until his tragic death, August 18, 1851.
His elder brother, Henry St. George, who had also been a cadet, was at this time an ensign (later, acting lieutenant) in the United States Navy, serving on Commodore Perry’s flagship; and his younger brother was a civil engineer, engaged in building the Memphis & Charlestown Railroad....
BEVERLEY T. HUNTER
The uncertainty which developed the fate of the young gentleman whose name heads this notice has hitherto restrained those by whom his memory is highly esteemed from paying a tribute to the chivalry and worth of his character. But recent accounts have dispelled this uncertainty, and have ascertained that he is no longer among the living.
Mr. Hunter was born in Martinsburg, and was the son of the late Moses T. Hunter, Esq., of that place, and was at the time of his death twenty-five years of age. He was by nature ardent and enthusiastic; in character, brave, gallant, generous, true. He combined a disposition which was gentle, affectionate and kind, with a spirit full of daring and eager for adventure. Few men have ever realized in life the dreams of boyhood so nearly as the subject of this notice. With nothing of unamiability in his intercourse, but with the reverse thoughts of battle and strife, of high and noble contention for right against the power of wrong, of enterprise demanding struggle in order to win victory, seemed from childhood to fill his soul.
Accordingly, when the War with Mexico broke out, though engaged in an occupation which seemed to please him, he was restless and impatient, until he left his native State (he was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, at this time) for the avenue of battle; and, although it was not his fortune to be in those engagements which have given immortality to so much heroism and daring, he gained distinction wherever there was strife, by his fearless and bold character. Peace found him prepared for more sober life in which he honorably and industriously engaged for an independence, in the State of Louisiana. “During the last summer, the story of Cuban wrongs suffered under Spanish outrage, together with the fitting out of the Lopez Expedition, and the excitement thereupon, again aroused the spirit of young Hunter in a course which commended itself to his romantic love for adventure, and to his hearty sympathy in all movements which had liberty as their object. He joined that ill-fated expedition with high, pure and noble resolution to strike one blow, as he believed, in behalf of down-trodden Cuba against Spanish despotism. He may have been mistaken in his views he may have been deceived by the representations of things but his heart responded to none other than a noble motive, and recoiled from every incentive which was mean or sordid.
He was at one time, on his arrival in Cuba, with Crittenden’s command. Separated from the latter by events which it is unnecessary to detail (along with about eighteen others), he avoided the butchery to which they were mercilessly devoted, and found a fate more congenial to his daring nature.
From his intrepid conduct and unshrinking firmness, he was selected as the commander of the little band who were with him. The day after their separation from Crittenden’s force, they were attacked by a considerable body of Spaniards who called upon them to surrender. Hunter cried out, ‘Never!’ In the front rank, urging his command to the fray, and fighting (says our informant) like a tiger, he was shot down, and died instantly. With the exception of four who escaped, his friends shared the same fate.
Thus perished, in an unfortunate expedition whose attractive power has cast the pall of mourning and grief over so many hearts in the Union, one of those gallant and chivalrous spirits who need but opportunity to gain a brilliant and shining reputation.
Cuba, we fear, has shown herself untrue to her own liberty, and unworthy of his sacrifice to it. There is, however, a great source of pride in the reflection that there was nothing in the conduct, or motives, of Mr. Hunter, which would not have enabled any cause, which does not cast honor upon his name, and cause the memory of his virtues to be more fondly cherished and embalmed in the hearts of his friends.
“They made him a grave too cold and damp
For a heart so warm and true.”
The Military History of the Virginia Military Institute from 1839-1861
Jennings C. Wise
1915
Transcribed by Helen Coughlin
Beverley T. Hunter
Second Lieutenant BEVERLEY T. HUNTER, of Martinsburg, Virginia, matriculated by his sister in Louisiana, July 18, 1845. Son of Moses T. Hunter, a brilliant lawyer and wit, and a soldier in the War of 1812, and his wife Mary Snicker. His parents dying while their two daughters and three sons were very young, the latter went to live with their father’s sister, the wife of Judge Henry St. George Tucker, professor of law at the University of Virginia.
In this happy home they remained until the marriage of one of the sisters to Mr. Alfred Conrad Weeks, a large sugar planter on the Bayou Teche, Louisiana. The unmarried sister, Miss Fannie Washington Hunter, also went to Louisiana, and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Weeks. She assumed the sole care of her three younger brothers, and never was sister more devoted. It was she who signed the matriculation papers for her two brothers, Henry St. George Tucker (see sketch elsewhere in this book) and Beverley T. Hunter, when they both entered the Institute. Beverley had spent but one year at the Institute when the War with Mexico occurred. His home being in Louisiana, he volunteered as a second lieutenant in the Louisiana Mounted Volunteers. On his return to Louisiana he began the study of law, and was thus engaged when the misguided patriot, Narciso Lopez, organized his ill-fated expedition to free Cuba, in 1850. Beverley Hunter joined Lopez, and served under Saunders in Crittenden’s command, as second lieutenant, until his tragic death, August 18, 1851.
His elder brother, Henry St. George, who had also been a cadet, was at this time an ensign (later, acting lieutenant) in the United States Navy, serving on Commodore Perry’s flagship; and his younger brother was a civil engineer, engaged in building the Memphis & Charlestown Railroad....
BEVERLEY T. HUNTER
The uncertainty which developed the fate of the young gentleman whose name heads this notice has hitherto restrained those by whom his memory is highly esteemed from paying a tribute to the chivalry and worth of his character. But recent accounts have dispelled this uncertainty, and have ascertained that he is no longer among the living.
Mr. Hunter was born in Martinsburg, and was the son of the late Moses T. Hunter, Esq., of that place, and was at the time of his death twenty-five years of age. He was by nature ardent and enthusiastic; in character, brave, gallant, generous, true. He combined a disposition which was gentle, affectionate and kind, with a spirit full of daring and eager for adventure. Few men have ever realized in life the dreams of boyhood so nearly as the subject of this notice. With nothing of unamiability in his intercourse, but with the reverse thoughts of battle and strife, of high and noble contention for right against the power of wrong, of enterprise demanding struggle in order to win victory, seemed from childhood to fill his soul.
Accordingly, when the War with Mexico broke out, though engaged in an occupation which seemed to please him, he was restless and impatient, until he left his native State (he was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, at this time) for the avenue of battle; and, although it was not his fortune to be in those engagements which have given immortality to so much heroism and daring, he gained distinction wherever there was strife, by his fearless and bold character. Peace found him prepared for more sober life in which he honorably and industriously engaged for an independence, in the State of Louisiana. “During the last summer, the story of Cuban wrongs suffered under Spanish outrage, together with the fitting out of the Lopez Expedition, and the excitement thereupon, again aroused the spirit of young Hunter in a course which commended itself to his romantic love for adventure, and to his hearty sympathy in all movements which had liberty as their object. He joined that ill-fated expedition with high, pure and noble resolution to strike one blow, as he believed, in behalf of down-trodden Cuba against Spanish despotism. He may have been mistaken in his views he may have been deceived by the representations of things but his heart responded to none other than a noble motive, and recoiled from every incentive which was mean or sordid.
He was at one time, on his arrival in Cuba, with Crittenden’s command. Separated from the latter by events which it is unnecessary to detail (along with about eighteen others), he avoided the butchery to which they were mercilessly devoted, and found a fate more congenial to his daring nature.
From his intrepid conduct and unshrinking firmness, he was selected as the commander of the little band who were with him. The day after their separation from Crittenden’s force, they were attacked by a considerable body of Spaniards who called upon them to surrender. Hunter cried out, ‘Never!’ In the front rank, urging his command to the fray, and fighting (says our informant) like a tiger, he was shot down, and died instantly. With the exception of four who escaped, his friends shared the same fate.
Thus perished, in an unfortunate expedition whose attractive power has cast the pall of mourning and grief over so many hearts in the Union, one of those gallant and chivalrous spirits who need but opportunity to gain a brilliant and shining reputation.
Cuba, we fear, has shown herself untrue to her own liberty, and unworthy of his sacrifice to it. There is, however, a great source of pride in the reflection that there was nothing in the conduct, or motives, of Mr. Hunter, which would not have enabled any cause, which does not cast honor upon his name, and cause the memory of his virtues to be more fondly cherished and embalmed in the hearts of his friends.
“They made him a grave too cold and damp
For a heart so warm and true.”
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