Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. He began his career by attending the US Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Infantry. With the start of the Civil War, he resigned his commission, joined the Confederate Army and given the rank of Major. In late 1861, he was promoted Colonel and commanded the 57th Virginia Regiment in defense of the Blackwater Virginia, that winter. On April 1, 1862, he was promoted Brigadier General and distinguished himself for personal bravery commanding a Brigade at Seven Pines and Second Manassas. He also led his Brigade in victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. With the advent of the Battle of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, he joined General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, in command of the 57th Brigade. On the third day of the battle, Armistead led his brigade during Major General George Pickett's charge, fixing his hat on the point of his sword and urging his men forward in the attack up Cemetery Ridge. With his men, he personally got as far as the wall of the Union batteries, when he was shot three times and taken prisoner. He died two days later from infection of his wounds in a Union field hospital at age 46.
Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. He began his career by attending the US Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Infantry. With the start of the Civil War, he resigned his commission, joined the Confederate Army and given the rank of Major. In late 1861, he was promoted Colonel and commanded the 57th Virginia Regiment in defense of the Blackwater Virginia, that winter. On April 1, 1862, he was promoted Brigadier General and distinguished himself for personal bravery commanding a Brigade at Seven Pines and Second Manassas. He also led his Brigade in victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. With the advent of the Battle of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, he joined General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, in command of the 57th Brigade. On the third day of the battle, Armistead led his brigade during Major General George Pickett's charge, fixing his hat on the point of his sword and urging his men forward in the attack up Cemetery Ridge. With his men, he personally got as far as the wall of the Union batteries, when he was shot three times and taken prisoner. He died two days later from infection of his wounds in a Union field hospital at age 46.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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