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The Spilman-Mosby House had many notable residents during the post-Civil war era.
While all of these men were successful lawyers, it was Eppa Hunton, a distinguished soldier and statesman, who gave the stylish Italianate structure the name Brentmoor. Hunton probably bestowed the name upon the house either in
honor of his mother's family, the Brents, or in tribute to his home in Brentsville where he lived prior to the war.
Since his home had been destroyed by Union troops, Hunton moved to Warrenton following the Civil War and established a law practice. Eppa Hunton purchased Brentmoor in 1877 an lived there until his death in Richmond on October 11, 1908.
Eppa Hunton was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, September 22, 1822, and was educated a New Baltimore Academy. He taught school for three
years, then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1843. That same year Hunton moved to Prince William County and served continuously until 1861.
Eppa was very active in state Democratic politics and served in the state militia, rising to the rank of brigadier general.
When the Virginia Secession Convention was organized following Lincoln's election, Hunton was elected to the convention as an "Immediate
Secession Candidate." He continued to press his fellow delegates for secession throughout the crisis.
Once Virginia left the Union, Hunton immediately resigned his seat and applied for a commission. Governor John Letcher appointed him colonel of the 8th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, then being organized at Leesburg, Virginia.
Colonel Hunton led his regiment into its first action at Manassas on July 21, 1861. The unit's decisive stand at the Henry House helped to
turn the battle in favor of the Confederacy. General P.G.T. Beauregard noted in his report that "Colonels Harper, Hunton, and Hampton, commanding regiments of the reserve, attracted by notice by their
soldierly ability, as with their gallant commands, they restored the fortunes of the day at a time when the enemy by a last desperate onset with heavy odds had driven our forces from the fiercely-contested ground
around the Henry and Robinson Houses."
Hunton also earned the confidence of his men as a capable combat leader, which was only enhanced by the unit's distinguished performance during the Battle of Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861.
Assigned to Pickett's Brigade on February 28, 1862, Hunton and his regiment continued their record of valiant service during the Peninsula Campaign.
The 8th Virginia played a significant role in the bloody battles of Williamsburg and Seven Pines. However, at the June 27, 1862, Battle of Gaines' Mill, Hunton's regiment participated in the final breakthrough of the Union lines. While the 8th Virginia was chasing fleeing Union troops, the regiment was stopped in its tracks by canister and grape shot from twelve Federal cannon positioned near the Watt House. The Union artillery had "already caused much slaughter" amongst the advancing Confederate troops. Hunton's men poured a volley of musketry into the Union cannoneers, which silenced the Federal batteries. This marked the end of the fighting, as Lieutenant Joseph Cooper of the 8th Virginia remembered, "the fire in Pickett's front ceased and the day was won."
Brigadier General George Pickett was wounded at Gaines' Mill and Eppa Hunton assumed command of the brigade.
Hunton led the brigade with skill at Glendale when he ordered a charge that drove the Union infantry back, capturing several pieces of artillery. He collapsed from exhaustion following this attack, but resumed command the next day. Colonel Hunton handled the unit well during the Second Battle of Manassas, however, when Lee prepared to march into Maryland, the brigade was given to Brigadier General Richard Garnett, and Hunton returned to command of the 8th Virginia. The brigade was assigned to Pickett's Division, Longstreet's Corps and participated in Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. Hunton, too ill to march with his troops on foot due to his painful fistula, led his regiment conspicuously on horseback. His horse was killed during the assault and Hunton suffered a severe leg wound.
When Lee reorganized the Army of Northern Virginia in the aftermath of Gettysburg, Hunton was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on August 9,
1863, and received command of Garnett's Brigade.
Hunton had been recommended for advancement by his fellow colonels of the brigade following the Battle of Sharpsburg. His promotion, perhaps delayed because of his ill health, was consider by members of the brigade as well-deserved.
As a brigade commander, he led his unit with distinction at the battles of Wildnerness, Sportsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg.
Hunton's Brigade was attached to Major General Bushrod Johnson's division to defend the White Oak Road on Marh 30, 1865. The next day Hunton attacked Ayres' division of the Fifth Corps, forcing back the Union left flank. Hunton's leadership gave the Confederates a slight respite. The brigade's return into the Confederate lines was described by Surgeon Mason G. Elizey:
Just then the brigade came in flushed with victory, and marching in proud array, that other grand man and war-seasoned soldier, Gen. Eppa Hunton
riding at their head, the general's coat was ripped across the breast and shoulder by a fragment of shell and the scabbard of his sword bent nearly double by a minnie ball; the joy of battle lighting his noble
countenance.
The victory was shallow, as on April 1, 1865, Hunton's brigade, despite fighting bravely against overwhelming Federal forces, was defeated at Five
Forks.
Hunton marched his brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia's desperate retreat, fighting a rear-guard action near Amelia Court House. The brigade was overwhelmed on April 6, 1865, at Saylor's Creek. Eppa Hunton threw his sword "into some sassafras bushes" then surrendered. Hunton was sent to Fort Warren, in Boston Harbor, until he was paroled in July 1865.
Following his release from prison, Hunton opened a law office in Warrenton. He served four terms as a member of the House of Representatives
from 1873 to 1881. Hunton was the only southern member of the electoral commission that decided the disputed presidential election of 1876 between Samuel Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes.
He declined re-election in 1881, however, was appointed by the General Assembly to fill the unexpired term of Senator John S. Barour, who had recently died, in 1891. Senator Hunton served for three years until 1895. Hunton was described by a contemporary as " . . . one who had none of the arts of the orator, except that or earnestness and candor . . . and a view of strong common sense in all that he said."
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