Today in Wheeling History: July 21--Daniel McElheran Shriver, former Confederate lieutenant colonel and commander of the "Shriver Grays," died in Wheeling at age 33, with the cause of death listed as "convulsions" (1865).
Daniel McElheran Shriver (1832 - July 21, 1865) was a Confederate officer from Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) during the American Civil War. Born into a wealthy family that made its money selling liquor, Shriver used his resources to organize and equip the "Shriver Grays," a Confederate company of Wheeling men, many of whom worked on riverboats.
In May 1861, the 29-year-old Shriver led his men out of Wheeling to join Confederate forces gathering at Harpers Ferry. The Shriver Grays became Company G of the 27th Virginia Infantry and part of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's famous Stonewall Brigade. Shriver led his men in many major battles, including First Bull Run, the Valley Campaign, and the Seven Days. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commanded the 27th Virginia at Gettysburg.
Severely wounded on June 13, 1862 at Port Republic, Shriver survived and continued in Confederate service until September 1863, when he resigned to take a seat in the Virginia General Assembly representing Confederate soldiers from western Virginia. He attempted to raise a cavalry regiment in 1864 but Union control of the area thwarted this effort. Shriver returned to Wheeling after the war and died there on July 21, 1865 at age 33. The cause was listed as "convulsions." He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery and his wartime service as commander of the Shriver Grays was his major legacy.
To learn more: To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/4w6acmrt) (https://tinyurl.com/mrxzcmau) (https://tinyurl.com/ye29d355) (https://tinyurl.com/yseycw5z) (https://tinyurl.com/4ctdn6yz) (https://tinyurl.com/3k5hu6a4)
Photo credits: Library of Congress, Find a Grave
Daniel McElheran Shriver (1832 - July 21, 1865) was a Confederate officer from Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) during the American Civil War. Born into a wealthy family that made its money selling liquor, Shriver used his resources to organize and equip the "Shriver Grays," a Confederate company of Wheeling men, many of whom worked on riverboats.
In May 1861, the 29-year-old Shriver led his men out of Wheeling to join Confederate forces gathering at Harpers Ferry. The Shriver Grays became Company G of the 27th Virginia Infantry and part of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's famous Stonewall Brigade. Shriver led his men in many major battles, including First Bull Run, the Valley Campaign, and the Seven Days. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commanded the 27th Virginia at Gettysburg.
Severely wounded on June 13, 1862 at Port Republic, Shriver survived and continued in Confederate service until September 1863, when he resigned to take a seat in the Virginia General Assembly representing Confederate soldiers from western Virginia. He attempted to raise a cavalry regiment in 1864 but Union control of the area thwarted this effort. Shriver returned to Wheeling after the war and died there on July 21, 1865 at age 33. The cause was listed as "convulsions." He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery and his wartime service as commander of the Shriver Grays was his major legacy.
To learn more: To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/4w6acmrt) (https://tinyurl.com/mrxzcmau) (https://tinyurl.com/ye29d355) (https://tinyurl.com/yseycw5z) (https://tinyurl.com/4ctdn6yz) (https://tinyurl.com/3k5hu6a4)
Photo credits: Library of Congress, Find a Grave
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