LAWSON, ADRIAN S. (1840 ~ 1921). Adrian S. Lawson, Confederate veteran, was born in Virginia in 1840. When the Civil War broke out, he joined the Confederacy and was mustered into Company A of the 5th Virginia Cavalry.
The 5th Cavalry, which was also known as the 4th Cavalry and the "Princess Anne Cavalry," was organized in July, 1861, in Norfolk. On May 1, 1862, Companies A, B, and I were assigned to the 14th Battalion, which eventually became part of the 15th Regiment. In June, 1862, another regiment was officially recognized as the 5th Virginia Cavalry and it was organized after the original 5th Cavalry disbanded. With two different 5th Regiments and no other information to go by, it is difficult to say which unit Lawson served with.
In 1873, Lawson, a Catholic and a teacher, immigrated to San Antonio, Texas, where he lived until June 20, 1916, when he moved to Austin to live in the Confederate Men's Home. After living in the Home for a few months, he was sent to the Austin Lunatic Asylum, now called the Austin State Hospital, on November 3, 1916.
After being furloughed and returned to the Confederate Home on July 12, 1918, Lawson returned to the Asylum on September 30, 1920, where he remained until his death on December 7, 1921. Because of his service to the Confederacy and his residence in the State Home, he was buried in the Texas State Cemetery that same day.
A widower, Lawson had two children, Mary and W. H., who were living in St. Louis and Seattle, respectively.
Information taken from: "Princess Anne Cavalry" Company A, 5th Virginia Cavalry web page at http://www/xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/flags/5th_va.html; Confederate Home Roster, "Virginia Confederates in Texas" by Charles E. Chambers, and records obtained from the Austin State Hospital. |
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