Alia Bazzle Oddenino's paternal grandfather was not the only Civil War veteran in her
family. Her maternal grandfather, John Jackson Seal, was also a Confederate Civil War
veteran. While we have not yet found a photo of John Jackson Seal, we do have some
of his Civil War records.
The 4th Virginia Cavalry was under the general command of J.E.B. Stuart:
CAVALRY DIVISION
Maj. General James E. B. Stuart
Fitz Lee's Brigade- Brig. General W. Fitzhugh Lee
1st Virginia Cavalry- Col. James H. Drake
2nd Virginia Cavalry- Col. Thomas T. Munford
3rd Virginia Cavalry- Col. Thomas H. Owen
4th Virginia Cavalry- Col. William Carter Wickham
1st Maryland Battalion- Maj. Harry Gilmore; Maj. Ridgely Brown
The National Park Service provides a valuable web site on Civil War veterans
and here is what they say about the 4th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry unit:
4th Cavalry Regiment completed its organization at Sangster's Cross Roads,
Prince William County, Virginia, in September, 1861. Its members were
recruited in the counties of Prince William, Chesterfield, Madison, Culpeper,
Powhatan, Gouchland, Hanover, Fauquier, Buckingham, and the city of
Richmond. The unit was assigned to General J.E.B. Stuart's, F.Lee's, Wickham's,
and Munford's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It participated in the Battle
of Williamsburg, the Seven Days' Battles, and the Second Manassas and
Maryland campaigns. Later the unit was involved in the conflicts at
Fredericksburg, Kelly's Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Upperville,
Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spotsylvania,
Haw's Shop, and Bethesda Church.
The 4th went on to fight in the Shenandoah Valley with Early and around
Appomattox. It totalled 450 effectives in April, 1862, and lost about three
percent of the 544 engaged at Gettysburg. After cutting through the Federal
lines at Appomattox, it was broken up. Only 2 members were present at the
surrender. The field officers were Colonels Stephen D. Lee, William H. Payne,
Beverly H. Robertson, William C. Wickham, and W.B. Wooldridge; Lieutenant
Colonels Charles Old and Robert Randolph; and Majors Alexander M. Hobson
and Robert E. Utterback.
From the Virginia Regimental Histories Series we look to Kenneth Stiles work on
the 4th Virginia Cavalry for a view of this unit:
On The Frontier — 1861
The 4th Regiment Virginia Cavalry has been described as one of the most distinguished cavalry commands in the Confederate service. The unit participated in every major battle and campaign which involved the Army of Northern Virginia and produced three brigadier generals. A fourth would have risen from the ranks had the war not ended abruptly in April of 1865. The regiment rode and fought for Virginia and the Confederacy from before First Manassas to the last charge from Appomattox Court House up the Lynchburg road where the unit disbanded, never handing over its colors, nor stacking its arms in submission.
Ten companies composed the 4th. Chesterfield County's company was organized in 1851. Four companies from Goochland, Hanover, Warrenton and Richmond came into being in the latter part of 1859 during the John Brown excitement. That raid in October of 1859 was the driving factor behind the organization of the cavalry units from Prince William, Madison and Powhatan counties as well. The last company to join the 4th was from Buckingham and was formed in March of 1862 for three years of Confederate service. The companies were:
Company A Prince William Cavalry
Company B Chesterfield Light Dragoons
Company C Madison Invincibles
Company D Little Fork Rangers (Culpeper)
Company E Powhatan Troop
Company F Goochland Light Dragoons
Company G Hanover Light Dragoons
Company H Black Horse Troop (Warrenton)
Company I Governor's Mounted Guard (Richmond)
Company J Philip McKinney's Company (Buckingham)
Additional commentary from this text by Kenneth Stiles provides some insight into the hardships they experienced during the war:
At the bottom of the report, the recording officer commented on what he
thought was the reason forthe bad conditions of the 4th Regiment:
First, we have been actively engaged since the 4th of May, 1864, have
been marching and countermarching, and much exposed to stormy
and rough weather, and an inadequate amount of forage for the
horses has depleted the animals. That until now, no opportunity has
been offered to reorganize, and the heavy loss of officers killed and
wounded in Battle, and by sickness from exposure is the prime cause.
Second, We have been compelled to send the sick and wounded "back to
[the] rear" and the Surgeon has scattered the men to the four
winds.
This account of the 4th Virginia's condition told the story better than anything
else could. And it mirrored the rest of the division rather well too.Though beaten
into weariness by both battle and Mother Nature, the soldiers still held on.
By March 2, Fitz Lee's division was ordered to regroup. The following week,
the cavalry moved farther up the James River because a "want offorage and
provisions" paralyzed the force while it remained near Richmond.
The lack of food for the cavalry persisted as Fitz Lee crossed the James River
and moved to High Bridge near Farmville on March 8. With aterrible rain
darkening the skies that Wednesday night, some in the brigade joked about
having to learn "Yankee Doodle" and the "Star Spangled Banner" again.
After the war, John Jackson Seal married Sarah Ann UTZ on November
28, 1866 in Madison County, Virginia. Below is a copy of their
certificate to obtain a marriage license:
John Jackson Seal's father was David Seal who married Margaret
REDDISH. Here are some fascinating copies of old documents from
1820 regarding the marriage of David Seal and Margaret Reddish:
One of the children of John Jackson Seal and Sarah Ann Utz was Lucy Ellen
SEAL born June 10, 1872, or better known as "Granny Bazzle." Lucy was the
mother of Alia Bazzle Oddenino.
Here is the photo of Lucy Ellen Seal Bazzle with her first two children,
Nannie and Alia:
Thanks to the assistance of Sandy Stowe of Aroda, Virginia, here is the marriage
certificate of Shelton Lee Bazzle and Lucy Ellen Seal:
Here is another photo of Lucy Ellen Seal Bazzle taken in the mid 1950s holding her
great granddaughter, Jane Carolyn Oddenino:
I personally remember visiting my great grandmother Lucy Ellen Seal Bazzle,
or "Granny Bazzle" as we always knew her, at her home in Aroda, Virginia
when I was a child. I cannot forget the large pot-bellied stove that provided
the heat in the middle of one of the rooms in her house. My sister Janet
actually received a slight burn once from accidentally rubbing up against that
stove. It is fascinating to ponder that "Granny Bazzle" - who we used to visit
as children - was raised by the Civil War veteran, John Jackson Seal, her
father.
Sadly, we do not have any records of her reminiscences of her father. While I
personally remember Granny Bazzle as a kindly great grandmother who had a
pot-bellied stove, her grandchildren have more specific memories of her.
Her granddaughter, Jane Oddenino, shared these recollections of Granny Bazzle:
"She made the best of dried apple pie that she called “Snit Pie.” It had the
best flavor. Granny Bazzle used to let me have two pieces.
She was so good to all her grandchildren. She would ask kids to do something
but was never pushy about it. She was always so nice.
"I always enjoyed spending time with Granny Bazzle. Saturdays was clean the
house day at the farm so after cleaning in the morning it was great to get to
Granny Bazzle’s to relax and eat her good food.
Granny Bazzle was very organized. Much more organized than Ma."
Grandson David Oddenino also shared nothing but fond memories of Granny Bazzle:
"Granny Bazzle was what you would call a "real grandma." She always had
cookies or cake when we visited. All of us kids thought she was wonderful. I
have nothing but positive memories of her."
Louise Cash Oddenino remembers that Lucy Ellen Seal (Granny Bazzle) would
often walk to the store (A.J. Cash’s store in Aroda). Occasionally, Louise would
ride her bike to Granny Bazzle ’s house as Lucy always had cookies at her
house. Louise remembers Lucy Ellen Seal was a real sweetheart who liked
children.
Louise also remembers that when Dewey Bazzle died young (Lucy’s son) that
it was a real surprise to everyone. Lucy Ellen Seal took it very hard.
The obituary for “Granny Bazzle” appeared in the Madison County Eagle on Thursday
April 6, 1961 (page 6):
Mrs. Lula Seal Bazzle, age 88, died at her home in Aroda on March 30th.
She was a member of Walkers Church where rites were held with burial in the
church cemetery on March 31st at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Jack Coker officiated.
Pallbearers were: Dave Oddenino, Lee Gibson, Jimmy Bazzle, John Oddenino,
Alfred Oddenino, Louis Oddenino and Charles Oddenino.
Survivors are two sons and three daughters, Mrs. John Oddenino of Aroda, Mr.
Otis E. Bazzle of Madison, Mrs. Moziliana Gibson of Madison, Mrs. Hiram Lohr,
Orange and Mr. Murray Bazzle of Brandy.
Granny Bazzle died on March 30, 1961. Here is a copy of her death
certificate:
