University of Virginia Library

MAJOR ROBERT M. SULLY,

Born in Petersburg, Virginia, in 1837, is the son of Robert M. Sully,
the Virginian artist, who died in 1855. His mother, Isabella Sully, nee
Thompson, is living now in Richmond. Garland Thompson, her father,
died in Richmond about 1836. Major Sully's wife, whom he married at
Lynchburg, Virginia, November 17, 1868, was Elizabeth A. Williams,
born in Lynchburg. They have one daughter, Miss Lulia L.
Major Sully was educated in Connecticut. In 1857 he entered the service
of the Orange & Alexandria R. R. In 1861 he entered the Confederate
army, as a private in Company A, 17th Virginia regiment. He
was promoted into the engineering corps, C. S. A., rank of first lieutenant
of engineers, and served until surrendered at Greensboro, North
Carolina.

After the war Major Sully was in the service of the Midland R. R., as
civil engineer. In 1873 he left that company, and was with the Richmond
& Danville R. R. until 1876, when he came to the Petersburg
R. R., as general freight agent. In 1879 he was made general superintendent
of this road, which office he held until 1881, since which time
he has been superintendent of the R. & P. and Petersburg roads.