John Randolph Chambliss

Chambliss was born in Hicksford (today Emporia), Greenville County, Virginia on January 23, 1833. He was the son of John R. Chambliss, a wealthy planter and Virginia politician who later was a delegate to the Virginia secession convention of 1861.

Chambliss graduated from West Point as a member of the class of 1853. He served at the cavalry school in Carisle, Pennsylvania for approximately a year before submitting his resignation. Becoming a planter in his hometown, he later served as a major on the staff of the governor from 1856 till 1861 and as a colonel in the Virginia milita.

Chambliss became colonel of the 41st Virginia and led it during the Seven Days but then was quickly moved to command of the 13th Virginia Cavalry. He served under JEB Stuart, eventually being promoted to general.

Chambliss was killed in an engagement on the Charles City Road east of Richmond on August 16th, 1864. General David M. Gregg, a Union cavalry general and West Point classmate of Chambliss, made sure that his body was recovered and sent home. Chambliss was buried in Hicksford in the Chambliss Family Cemetery.

Robert E. Lee later stated that "the loss sustained by the cavalry in the fall of General Chambliss will be felt throughout the army, in which, by his courage, energy and skill, he had won for himself an honorable name."