By Michael D. Martin, E.C.P.D.
Retired
About the author...Michael Martin (pictured front row, far right in the 1981 photo) is a retired veteran of 25 years on the Eden City Police Department, and has penned a number of anecdotal writings recalling his experiences.
IV. Poppy Carter
This is a replacement story. I apologize sincerely to anyone who was offended by my story about Abram Rorrer, the story was true, I thought it was funny and Fat Vestal, The instigator of the whole affair was Abe's Uncle...but we deleted it and now I want to write about Poppy Carter.James Madison Carter was my great great grandfather. He served in Company F of the 57th Virginia regiment of Volunteers. This was General Louis Armistead's Brigade of General George Pickett's Division of Longstreet's First corps Army of Northern Virginia. This was mother's great grandfather..
Poppy was born and raised on Marribone Creek near Ridgeway, Virginia in Henry County near Martinsville. He joined the army in 1861 or 62 and trained at Richmond. Poppy fought in several battles of the American Civil War, Poppy was wounded twice in the fight at Fredericksburg, Poppy was shot thru the hand and again thru the lung. At Malvern Hill poppy had a Yankee ball bounced off his head....I imagine that hurt. Poppy also fought at Spotsylvania courthouse and White Oaks Swamp...Poppy was at Antietam Creek and Poppy found himself on Seminary Ridge Pennsylvania July 3rd 1863 looking a mile across a battlefield at union troops on Cemetery Ridge at a place called Gettysburg. Colonel Porter Alexander shook the world with his barrage and General George Pickett rode up and shouted...Up!..Up my lads...and to your post!! and let no man forget today...you are soldiers of olde Virginia!....with fifteen thousand other boys...poppy fixed his bayonet...and poppy made the charge. nine thousand good boys were killed..poppy saw two of his brothers sons fall but poppy survived and recrossed the Rappahannock. Buddy Moretz's Great great grandfather was riding with General John Imboden's 23rd Virginia Calvary and kept the Union Pursuit at bay....Bud and I were police officers for twenty five years together. Bud's poppy was Will Cockrum, 23rd Virginia Calvary. Today, Will Cockrum lays in the sweet soil of Patrick County up near Tuggles Gap. Poppy Carter lays in the sweet soil of Henry County near Ridgeway. Company F of the 57th was known as "The Henry Rifles" They were Mustered in Henry County Virginia, near Ridgeway.