Prior to enrolling at Randolph-Macon College, Stratton had attended Hampden-Sydney College and had enlisted in Co. G of the 20th VA Infantry. He was captured at the Battle of Rich Mountain, VA (now WV) and was paroled at Beverly, VA on July 17, 1861 and discharged on September 6, 1861. He then attended R-MC in 1861-1862. Stratton enlisted as a sergeant in Co. E of the 25th Battalion VA Infantry on August 27, 1862. He was honorably discharged on December 9, 1862.
Stratton became a lawyer and was practicing law in Lynchburg, VA in 1870. He later served as a clerk for the Virginia legislature. He died in 1897.
