Charles Venable

Charles Scott Venable (March 19, 1827 – August 11, 1900) was a mathematician, astronomer, and military officer. In mathematics, he is noted for authoring a series of publications as a University of Virginia professor.

Charles Venable in The Guns of the South
During the winter of 1863/64 Major Charles Venable served as General Robert E. Lee's aid-de-camp as the Army of Northern Virginia wintered near Orange Court House.

On January 20, 1864 Major Venable, along with his fellow staff officers, watched Andries Rhoodie's demonstration of a new rifle for General Lee. He assisted in placing human cut-out targets in a firing range out to 500 yards. After the demonstration, he helped collect them.

During the demonstration, General Lee asked Venable to time Rhoodie's shooting. Venable signalled Rhoodie when to begin and reported 30 shoots in 32 seconds, a remarkable achievement.