Wharton, Gabriel C. (Gabriel Colvin), 1824-1906
Biographical Note
Gabriel Colvin Wharton was born in Culpeper County, Virginia on July 23, 1824. After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1847, Wharton became a civil engineer, working in Arizona and elsewhere. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Wharton was appointed a major within the 45th Virginia Infantry. Soon after, he was promoted to colonel, commanding the 51st Virginia Infantry. In July 1863, Wharton was promoted to brigadier general, commanding a brigade guarding southwestern Virginia railroads and participating in the battles of New Market and Cold Harbor, among others. Wharton married Nannie Radford in 1863; following the war, the couple made their home in Radford, Virginia. Wharton resumed his civil engineering career and was instrumental in building a railroad in the New River Valley. Gabriel Wharton died in Radford in 1906.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Gabriel C. Wharton Papers
This collection contains materials from Civil War General Gabriel C. Wharton. The materials are largely concerned with financial records of the Richmond and Louisville and the Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio Railroad Companies. Materials also include correspondence, maps, and ephemera.