ROBERT AUGUSTUS BAILEY
Nicknamed "Gus," Robert Augustus Bailey was born In 1839, tha son of Circuit Judge Edward P. Bailey of Lewlsburg, West Virginia. In 1860 Robert was a resident of Fayette County, West Virginia and an attornay. Prior to the war he served as a captain In the 142nd Regiment Virginia MIlitia, 27th Brigade, 5th Division. He enlisted at Charleston, (West) Virginia June 6,1861, as captain of the Fayetteville Riflemen (Company K, 22nd Virginia Infantry).
On August 26,1861, he led a small scouting party on Cotton Hill to study the feasibility of placing artillery on the heights and shelling the Federal camps at and near Gauley Bridge, a plan used by General John B. Floyd in November of that year. .
On November 23,1861, Bailey was promoted to major and often led the 22nd Virginia or segments of it in various battles, receiving particular notice for his bravery at Fayetteville, (West) Virginia, September 10,1862.
On March 1, 1863, he was major in command of the Department at Lewisburg, (West) Virginia and further demonstrated his gallantry while leading a portion of the regiment at White Sulphur Springs on August 26-27, 1863.
William Bahlmann implied In his memoirs that Bailey was not par ticularly popular, at least not with him, but despite such an allegation Bailey continued to serve the regiment faithfully until mortally wounded at Droop Mountain, West Virginia, November 6, 1863. He had saved the flag and was attempting to rally the men when he was struck by enemy fire. In Federal hands he managed to linger on in the Federal hospital at Hillsboro, West Virginia until November 11. He is buried in the Old Stone Church Cemetery at Lewisburg, West Virginia.
In his Compiled Service Record can be found some vague reference to his possible association as a lieutenant colonel and colonel of the 14th Virginia Cavalry on September 5,1862, but apparently nothing ever came of this.