Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born in Macon, Georgia, he left his home state in the late 1850s to establish a law practice in Huntsville, Alabama. With his involvement in law came an avid interest in politics, and in 1860 he work relentlessly for the presidential candidate John C. Breckinridge, serving as alternate elector for the state of Alabama. He began his Civil War service with the rank of Captain in the 4th Alabama. He turned down a promotion to Major soon after he entered Confederate service in favor of fighting with his men at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. In October of that year, he accepted a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel under Colonel Joseph Wheeler, commander of the 19th Alabama. He fought at Shiloh, where his horse was shot under him, and throughout East Tennessee under Major General John P. McCown. On August 16, 1862, Major General E. Kirby Smith cited him for his past performance with a promotion to Brigadier General. Serving at Port Gibson, Mississippi, his 5 regiments were largely responsible for defending against a corps of invading Federals under Major General John A. McClernand. After fierce fighting on May 1, 1863, the Confederates broke in retreat and opened the way for Major General Ulysses S. Grant's siege at Vicksburg, 30 miles to the north. He was one of 272 casualties sustained by his 1,500-man brigade at Port Gibson. He "fell near the front line, pierced through the breast, and instantly died without uttering a word," recorded a subordinate, Colonel Isham W. Garrott.
Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born in Macon, Georgia, he left his home state in the late 1850s to establish a law practice in Huntsville, Alabama. With his involvement in law came an avid interest in politics, and in 1860 he work relentlessly for the presidential candidate John C. Breckinridge, serving as alternate elector for the state of Alabama. He began his Civil War service with the rank of Captain in the 4th Alabama. He turned down a promotion to Major soon after he entered Confederate service in favor of fighting with his men at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. In October of that year, he accepted a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel under Colonel Joseph Wheeler, commander of the 19th Alabama. He fought at Shiloh, where his horse was shot under him, and throughout East Tennessee under Major General John P. McCown. On August 16, 1862, Major General E. Kirby Smith cited him for his past performance with a promotion to Brigadier General. Serving at Port Gibson, Mississippi, his 5 regiments were largely responsible for defending against a corps of invading Federals under Major General John A. McClernand. After fierce fighting on May 1, 1863, the Confederates broke in retreat and opened the way for Major General Ulysses S. Grant's siege at Vicksburg, 30 miles to the north. He was one of 272 casualties sustained by his 1,500-man brigade at Port Gibson. He "fell near the front line, pierced through the breast, and instantly died without uttering a word," recorded a subordinate, Colonel Isham W. Garrott.
Bio by: Ugaalltheway
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Michael R. Beeland
Jamie Beeland
D. Thomas Michah Beeland
Edward Dorr Tracy, Jr.
SCV Camp #18
Macon Georgia
GEORGIA CRACKERS
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