 Complete the following phrase:  On the outbreak of the American Civil War, Otey left his job on the Virginia and Kentucky Railroad, and supposedly fired a cannon at Sewells Point after Virginia seceded and actually hit a Union vessel, as well as fought with the U.S. Monticello on May 19, 1861. He became a lieutet in Company S, 51st Virginia Infantry in the Army of the Kanawha under Col. Gabriel C. Wharton VMI class of 1847, who had become a civil engineer in Arizona, former VMI mathematics professor Lt.Col. James W. Massie and former Virginia Governor General John B. Floyd uncle of his fiancee, later wife. Otey served as a staff officer, and the 51st Virginia was tasked with protecting the Kanawha Valley and its salt and other mines, but had little success. The regiment suffered defeats at Carnifax Ferry and Cotton Hill in 1861 and in February 1862 at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, although only 2 members surrendered and the majority including this Otey escaped to defend Nashville. His three elder brothers also became Confederate officers: Kirkwood Otey commanded the 11th Virginia Infantry including at the 