GEN. RICHARD L. PAGE
Richard L., son of William B. Page, and grandson of Mann Page, of
Gloucester county, Virginia, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in
December, 1807. His mother, whose maiden name was Ann Lee, was
also a Virginian, a sister of Gen. Harry Lee (known as "Light Horse
Harry"). His parents have been many years dead. The wife of General
Page was born in Norfolk, Alexina, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth
(Calvert) Taylor, both now deceased. They were married in Norfolk,
November 4, 1841, have three living children, William B., Elizabeth C.,
and Walter T., and have buried three, Ann Lee, Richard L. and Alexina.
General Page was educated first in a school at Berryville, Virginia,
afterwards by private tutors in his family, after which in Alexandria,
Virginia. In 1824 he entered the United States Navy, as midshipman;
was promoted to commander, and served on several vessels. In 1861
he resigned to tender his services to his native State, and when the Virginia
forces were turned over to the Confederate government he was
appointed captain, C. S. N. He was assigned as ordinance officer at the
Norfolk Navy Yard, and built and commanded several forts at mouth
of Nansemond river, commanding also the naval forces at Savannah.
When Norfolk was evacuated by the Confederates he was appointed
commandant at Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1863 he was commissioned
brigadier general, and assigned to command of the outer defences
of Mobile Bay, with headquarters at Fort Morgan. When that fort was
surrendered, August 4, 1864, he was made prisoner and confined at New
Orleans, Fort Lafayette (New York), and Fort Delaware, Pennsylvania.
Released in September, 1865, he returned to Norfolk, where he devoted
himself to farming for six years. He was then appointed superintendent
of the public schools of Norfolk city, which office he filled for nine years.
General Page has now retired from active pursuits, and is living his remaining
years in Norfolk, honored and loved by all its citizens.
