Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood
March 21, 1864

Rawley E. Stewart, Second Lieutenant (son of John Stewart, Esq., Presiding Justice of Monongalia county) was killed on Monday last in Barbour county. It appears that Stewart was desirous of visiting his friends in Monongalia county, and for that purpose obtained passes signed by J. S. Hollman, Col. 31st Reg't.. Generals Jno. Pegram, Harry Hayes. W. H. Taylor and Lieut. Gen. R. T. Ewell, and approved by General Lee, by which he was enabled to reach his home. His leave of absence extended for 30 days, and was dated "Headquarters Army Northern Virginia, February 24, 1864." By some mean he passed through Union lines and reached his home in safety. In endeavoring to return he was no so fortunate. In Barbour county he was overtaken by a squad of the "Home Scouts," near White Oak Church, and in endeavoring to make his escape, was shot dead.

Stewart was well known in this county and had a great many relatives. About three years ago he was a student at our Academy, but at the breaking out of the war he entered the Confederate service. He was quite a young man, being but twenty-three years of age.

Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: March 1864