Charles Edward Lightfoot

Lightfoot, a member of the VMI class of 1854, was born in Culpeper, Virginia on April 18, 1834. Standing a mere 5-6, he was a teacher at the North Carolina Military Academy in Hillsboro before the Civil War. He became major of the 6th North Carolina and was wounded at First Manassas. He was appointed colonel of the 22d North Carolina on March 29, 1862 but was defeated at the reorganization while held by the enemy. Lightfoot had been captured at Seven Pines and was not exchanged until August 5, 1862.

Lightfoot had a falling out with his brigade commander Dorsey Pender and it was noted that they were "bitter enemies." Probably for this reason he went into the artillery service. Lightfoot commanded a battalion of artillery in the Richmond defenses for the war's duration. He was paroled in Richmond on April 24, 1865.

After the War, Lightfoot was a professor at the Bethel Military Academy in Culpeper County, Virginia. He died on July 3, 1878.