John Daniel Imboden, Brigadier General, CSA

Born February 16, 1823 near Staunton VA

Attended Washington College (now Washington and Lee University)

Taught at a school for the deaf, dumb, and blind; attended law school and practiced law in Staunton

Was twice elected a representative to the Virginia legislature

At the start of the Civil War, despite having no military training, Imboden received a commission as captain in the Staunton Artillery of the Virginia Militia, which he commanded at the capture of Harpers Ferry

On September 9, 1862, Imboden left the artillery to recruit a battalion of partisan rangers and was promoted to colonel of the 62nd Virginia Mounted Infantry (1st Partisan Rangers)

Fought with Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson in the Valley Campaign at Cross Keys and Port Republic; was promoted to brigadier general on January 28, 1863

Along with Brigadier General William E. "Grumble" Jones, Imboden led the famous Jones-Imboden raid of 3,400 troopers into northwestern Virginia against the B & O Railroad, destroying railroad tracks and bridges and capturing thousands of horses and heads of cattle; the raid covered 400 miles in 37 days

In the Gettysburg Campaign, Imboden's brigade served under Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart as the rearguard for Gen. Robert E. Lee's movement north through the Shenandoah Valley; his brigade fought off Union cavalry attacks during Lee's retreat from Gettysburg

Raided Charleston, West VA in October 1863

Served under Jubal Early in the Valley Campaign of 1864

Was singularly praised by both Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson for bravery, gallantry and leadership

After the war, Imboden moved to Richmond, Virginia, and was employed as a lawyer and a coal mine operator in Washington County, Virginia

Died August 15, 1895 at Damascus VA, a town he founded while developing the local coal mining industry

Buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond VA