George Washington "Josh" Martin

George Washington “Josh” Martin M V R C P K Y

Photo: Image file is saved in BHC Work Folder\Cavalryman Photos. Dink has individual photo of him.[2647]

Born: 2 February 1844.[2648] 1 February 1844.[2649]

Married: There is no record of his marrying.

Died: 24 February 1898.[2650] He is buried in the Martin family cemetery,[2651] in Midland, Fauquier County.[2652] 2 February 1896.[2653]

“The/ Martin Boys./ The Pride Of/ Old Fauquier.”

“In Memoriam/ Geo. W. Martin/ Born/ Feb. 2, 1844:/ Died/ Feb. 24, 1898./ The Most Famous/ Of The/ Black Horsemen.”

“The Lamb Of/ The Household/ The Lion In/ Battle./ He Looked Friend/ And/ Foe In The Face.”[2654]

Obituary: “I have seen him in the advance dismounted, his eyes blazing with the flame of battle, and his voice rising above the rattling fire of carbines, cheering his comrades on; and I have seen him stop, and with a pitying tenderness give his canteen to a wounded enemy lying in his path…”[2655] See Obituary Chapter.

At death he was hailed as “the most famous” of the Blackhorsemen. With his brother Bob dead, and his brother Dick living in Missouri, Josh became the symbol in Fauquier of the achievements and fame of the three Martin brothers. “The women of Warrenton collected funds for a marker[2656] for Josh Martin’s grave.” See Obituary Chapter.

Children: There is no record of his marrying.

Parents and Siblings: Susan A. (Fisher) (10 March 1803–9 August 1979) and John Martin (8 October 1796–25 July 1876), who wed on 12 January 1829 in Fauquier County. The nine siblings were: William Thomas; Robert Edward [BH]; Mary Frances; Elias F.; Margaret Ann; Mildred Lee; John Richard [BH]; Susan Elizabeth; George Washington [BH]. Their sister Margaret wed James H. Childs [BH] and their sister Susan wed William A. Bowen, Jr. [BH].[2657]

His father was “Honest” John Martin[2658] [2659] born circa 1800; died between December 20, 1875[2660] and August 28, 1876.[2661] Married Susan A. , who was born March 10, 1803; died August 9, 1879. She is buried in the Martin family cemetery.[2662] [2663] His grave is unknown, but is probably in the same cemetery unmarked.

Their children were:

1. Margaret A.; married James H. Childs. (also member Black Horse.)
2. Susan Elizabeth–“Betty”; married William A. Bowen, Jr. (also member Black Horse.)
3. Mildred L.–“Minnie”; never married.
4. Robert E.–“Bob”; married Mary Virginia Childs, sister of James H. Childs. (Both members of the Black Horse.)
5. John Richard–“Dick”; married Mary . (member, Black Horse.)
6. George W.–“Josh”; never married. (member, Black Horse.)

Other Family: Cite Elias Martin family bible.

His maternal grandparents were Frances (Gordon) and Thomas Fisher. The cavalrymen were second cousin to George Harden Shumate [BH]—his grandmother and Thomas Fisher both were children of Susannah (Ball) and Robert Fisher.[2664]

Paternal grandparents: Mary Mountjoy and Elias Martin?[2665]

John Martin was a farmer and owned two farms near the Cassanova section of Fauquier County. The largest, 405 acres, he called his “home” farm.[2666] His other farm of about 352 acres he called his Licking Run farm.[2667]

John Martin and his wife Susan raised their family in turbulent times. The family became especially known because of the exploits of their three sons in the renowned “Black Horse Cavalry,” one of the most famous Confederate cavalry units. Each of the brothers gave very distinguished service. Dick Martin was known for his skill and daring as a “scout.” Bob Martin won a rifle for being the “bravest man in the Confederate Army.” Josh Martin was involved in a famous incident, in which Lt. John Meigs, an engineer on Gen. Philip Sheridan’s staff, and son of Union General Montgomery Meigs, was killed.

Stories, Letters & Biographies: During the war, the Martin home was a rendezvous for meetings of members of the Black Horse, and became a well- known landmark.[2668] See Stories Chapter.

“Upon the second order to surrender, Meigs pressed the trigger and fired. The ball struck Martin….”[2669] See Stories Chapter.

Josh’s account, pend’ HB 2007 March 21 W.[2670]

“During this campaign [Early’s Valley campaign, August, 1864]…George W. Martin and [F.M.] Campbell, of the Black Horse, with a member of the First Virginia Regiment, were returning from a scout late in the evening. Source? UDC newspaper clip? See Stories Chapter.

[Add story from BH UDC newspaper clip.]

[Check # article re Meigs’ death in ref. Is this source of confusion re George versus Richard killing Meigs?][2671]

“June 15, ??. As a result of Meigs’ death, which the Yankees called murder by guerillas, the Martin Brothers had a price on their head[s].”[2672] See Stories Chapter under John Richard “Dick” Martin.

This cavalryman was one of nine who joined to announce the 1890 Reunion. See discussion of the Reunion Photograph at the Introduction.

J. K. Taliaferro wrote an article about Josh Martin [BH] and Lt. Meigs.[2673]

CSR: 6’0”, florid complexion, dark hair, grey eyes; enlisted 15 March 1862 Bealeton; detailed to Quartermaster; wounded October 1864 Valley of Virginia; paroled 8 May 1865 Winchester.

Additional Information: Private.[2674] Wounded in October, 1864 in the Valley of Virginia, by Lieutenant Meigs, of General Sheridan’s staff, whom he killed. Agriculturalist, Warrenton.[2675] Listed as “C. W. Martin;” [2676] the initial “C” is likely a misreading of “G” for “George.”