I’ve been seeing postings lately, mostly on Face Book, about the last four surviving children of Civil War veterans (actually, it focused on the last four just in Virginia alone… and I didn’t seem to catch that last part), and I added to each that I thought they were missing somebody.
I’m sorry to say… I was wrong.
Albert Lee Comer, Sr., the youngest son of James John Comer, Co. H (Page Grays), 33rd Virginia Infantry, died this past December (see here and here). I may be wrong, but I believe Albert Comer may well have been the last surviving child of any member of the Stonewall Brigade.
Indeed, I knew Albert Comer and was present at the rededication (2006, if I remember correctly) of his father’s grave. He didn’t come across as boastful of the fact that he was a “real son”, nor was he a “staunch defender of heritage”. Rather, he was, in my view, a pleasant, quiet man who was simply at the center of recognition… yet seemed appreciative of the recognition for his father, who died when he was very young (9). In fact, there were just a few war-related stories that he recalled being told by his father. I vaguely remember one of them myself. Something about helping to carry a casket when a bullet passed through it… I believe.
But, my interaction with Mr. Comer began before the rededication. It was sometime in the early 2000s, while writing my weekly history column for the Page News & Courier (which I assume prompted the mysterious mailing), I received an envelope… with no return address… in which were two small pieces of delicate paper… which were, in fact, two pages from James J. Comer’s diary. I had no idea who sent these to me, but I took good care of them until I learned that Albert Comer was James J. Comer’s son. It seemed only proper that these pages go to Mr. Comer, and I sent them to him. I’m sure they remain a cherished part of his family’s history.
By a roundabout way, Mr. Comer and I are also related. His older sister, Bessie (1877-1968), was my great-great grandfather’s fifth… and last… wife. Bessie was nearly thirty-three years younger than Charles Robert Hilliard… who, like Bessie’s father… was also a Confederate veteran. I’ve heard that Bessie also caused my great-great grandfather a great deal of frustration when it came time to receiving his Confederate pension check. Whether it happened frequently, or a few times, Bessie often went to town with his check before he even knew it had arrived… which prompted him to the mountains for a while in order to cool his temper. Anyway, as she died when I was only three, I never knew Bessie… but knew of the story.

Charles Robert & Bessie Comer Hilliard on the front porch of their home in Dovel Hollow, Page County, Virginia.
I regret to say that it’s been at least five years or so since we last corresponded, but I enjoyed my interactions with Mr. Comer, and wish we had a chance to chat one last time before he passed.
Until we meet again, Mr. Comer.
Cotton Boll Conspiracy
April 29, 2013
So does that mean Albert Comer was your uncle? It’s fascinating how interconnected we can be with one another. And your post provided a nice remembrance of Mr. Comer.
Robert Moore
April 29, 2013
Thanks, CBC. I never looked at it that way. I guess he is a distant half-step “uncle” via the marriage of Bessie to C.R. Hilliard. Explaning that can be confusing. 🙂 I’m also tied to him as a cousin, via the Comer and Kite family lines. James John Comer’s first wife, Mary Ann Strole Comer, is also a distant cousin of mine.
Cotton Boll Conspiracy
April 29, 2013
Very interesting. Did you ever discover who sent the two diary pages, or why?
Robert Moore
April 29, 2013
No, I never learned who sent it. I suppose I should have paid better attention to the postmark. Though it wouldn’t tell me who it was, it would have been a little something knowing from whence it came.
PAT MOORE
April 29, 2013
Wow, incredible, how it all connected.
Robert Moore
April 30, 2013
I remember talking to Mr. Comer about the connections. Pretty amazing with the overlapping of generations.
Jeffry Burden
April 29, 2013
I’m glad the R T-D and columnist Bill Lohmann saw fit to do the article. I couldn’t get any interest from broadcast media. Anyway…it tickles me no end that the daughter of a Maine cavalryman is the only “real child” in the Richmond area. 🙂
Robert Moore
April 30, 2013
That is rather interesting. For the sheer population density of the area, it’s hard to believe there are no “real children” of Confederates remaining in Richmond.
Larry Lamb
April 29, 2013
Great story Robert!
Robert Moore
April 30, 2013
Thanks, Larry!
Richard Williams
May 3, 2013
Fascinating post Robert. I’ll link to it in an upcoming post on my blog.
Robert Moore
May 4, 2013
Thanks, Richard.
Mike Simons
May 10, 2013
Good Story Robert and sorry to hear about his passing.
Robert Moore
May 11, 2013
Thanks, Mike. Good to hear from you.