Thomas T. Fauntleroy

Thomas Turner Fauntleroy (October 6, 1796 – September 12, 1883) was a Virginia lawyer, state legislator from Fauquier, Regular Army officer, slaver, and briefly a Virginia military officer at the beginning of the American Civil War who refused a commission as brigadier general in the Confederate States Army.

Early life and career Fauntleroy was born in Clarke County, Virginia to Joseph Fauntleroy (of Richmond County, Virginia) and his wife Elizabeth ("Betsy") Fouchee Fauntleroy (of Richmond, Virginia).

Although only 17 years old, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812.

After the war, Fauntleroy studied law in Winchester, Virginia, then practiced law in Warrenton, Virginia.

Regular U.S. Army service Commissioned a major of dragoons on June 8, 1836, Fautleroy served in the Second Seminole War. He also led several expeditions against the Apaches, accompanied by scout Kit Carson. From 1859–1861 Col. Fauntleroy commanded the Department of New Mexico.

American Civil War While Col. Fauntleroy fought in the West, his son and namesake had become a lawyer and followed his father's example by winning election to the Virginia House of Delegates, albeit for Frederick County. After the Battle of Fort Sumter that began the American Civil War and Virginia's secession in April 1861, Fauntleroy resigned his U.S. Army commission in May 1861 and returned to his native Commonwealth. Governor of Virginia John Letcher appointed Fauntleroy as brigadier general of the Provisional Army of Virginia. However, by the following month, the Confederate States Army had been organized and the Provisional Army of Virginia was merged into it. Fauntleroy refused to accept a CSA commission, despite General Samuel Cooper offering such on July 9, 1861. He was relieved of that rank on his request on August 25, 1861, having never held Confederate rank.

Fauntleroy's eldest son, C. M. Fauntleroy was a U.S. Navy officer who joined the Confederate Navy and commanded the . His second son, also named Thomas T. Fauntleroy, became a Virginia lawyer and politician and after the war a judge of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Another son Archibald Magill Fauntleroy became a surgeon in the Confederate army and later a physician. A daughter, Mary Thurston Fauntleroy, married Surgeon General of the United States Army Joseph Barnes.

Although Fauntleroy lived in Winchester with his son Thomas' family in 1880, he died in Leesburg, Virginia on September 12, 1883, and was buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester.