"My grandfather,
the late Robert Leonard Skelton, was according to records I've been able
to obtain, probably 15 or 16 when he fought in the battle of Staunton River
Bridge. I have his pension application which states after the Battle of
Staunton River Bridge he joined Colonel Pickett's unit. I'm not sure in
which battles he fought with Pickett but, according to civil war data,
I think he fought at Petersburg
and was captured at Saylor's Creek. His record states he was captured after
the war and held prisoner until June 1865. I do not know where he was held
prisoner— I'm now in the process of pursuing information concerning his
journey with Pickett, his capture and other pertinent information concerning
him. I also discovered he had a great sense of humor. When asked how he
was health-wise before he became ill, he replied " I was as healthy as
a horse". He married my grandmother, the late Nora Brown Ferrell and together
they had 11 children. My grandfather died when my dad (Charlie) was 18
months old and my youngest uncle (Louis) was only six months old. His last
three children died in 1997, Frank 93, Sally 88, and Willie Alma 86. My
dad, Charlie, died in October 1996, 5 days before his eighty-third birthday.
I've been told my grandfather was quite a musician and was in great demand
for social functions in the neighborhood. This love of music was passed
down to his children. Many could play a variety of instruments and they
all loved music. His love for music probably led him to make the banjo
which is on display in the Visitor Center at Staunton River Battlefield
State Park. The banjo consists of the body composed of a single piece of
cowhide stretched like a drum head over a wooden hoop. Attached to the
body, which has no back, is a long neck. There are four strings on this
banjo, the strings are fastened over the ridge at the end of the neck where
they are threaded through holes and wound around the wooden tuning pegs
in the back of the head. I hope this article will "peak" your interest
and will inspire you to encourage others to visit the Staunton River Battlefield
State Park".
Charlene Skelton-Breedlove,
granddaughter of Robert L. Skelton
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