Charles Venable

Charles Venable Historical Figure Nationality: United States (Confederate States, 1861-5) Year of Birth: 1827 Year of Death: 1900 Cause of Death: Natural causes Occupation: Educator, Soldier, Astronomer, Author of Non-Fiction Military Branch: Confederate Army Fictional Appearances: The Guns of the South POD: January 17, 1864 Type of Appearance: Direct Nationality: Confederate States Military Branch: Army of Northern Virginia (Second American Revolution)

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 1863-4, Major Charles Venable served as General Robert E. Lee's aide-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 signaled Rhoodie when to begin and reported 30 shots in 32 seconds, a remarkable achievement.