Brentsville in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Home of the "Boy Major"
Joseph W. Latimer
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021
1. Home of the "Boy Major" Marker
Inscription.
Home of the "Boy Major". Joseph W. Latimer. Southwest of Brentsville along Cedar Run stood "Oakland," the home of Joseph Latimer. Born in 1843, Latimer entered the Virginia Military Institute at age 16. He studied under Thomas Jackson and was first in his class. After Virginia joined the Confederacy in 1861, he helped train newly formed artillery units in Richmond. Fighting with distinction and praised by his commanders for his leadership, amiable disposition and sanguine temperament, Latimer was promoted to major in April 1863. At age 19 he was the youngest major in the Confederate Army. Mortally wounded on July 2, 1863 while commanding an artillery battalion at Gettysburg. Latimer died August 1, 1863 in Harrisonburg, Virginia and is buried there.
Southwest of Brentsville along Cedar Run stood "Oakland," the home of Joseph Latimer. Born in 1843, Latimer entered the Virginia Military Institute at age 16. He studied under Thomas Jackson and was first in his class. After Virginia joined the Confederacy in 1861, he helped train newly formed artillery units in Richmond. Fighting with distinction and praised by his commanders for his leadership, amiable disposition and sanguine temperament, Latimer was promoted to major in April 1863. At age 19 he was the youngest major in the Confederate Army. Mortally wounded on July 2, 1863 while commanding an artillery battalion at Gettysburg. Latimer died August 1, 1863 in Harrisonburg, Virginia and is buried there.
Erected 2015 by Prince William County Historical Commission.
Location. 38° 40.304′ N, 77° 30.402′ W. Marker is in Brentsville, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is at the intersection of Bridwell Drive and Old Church Road, on the left when traveling east on Bridwell
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Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10240 Bridwell Dr, Nokesville VA 20181, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021
2. Home of the "Boy Major" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 355 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on December 6, 2023, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
