Maj. Graves was raised in Daviess County Kentucky. Joined the Confederacy and became a major in the Washington Light Artillery, CSA., attached to Breckiridge's Division. Was mortally wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, GA. His body was taken to a local military hospital, where he later died. He is buried in an unknown grave, which was unmarked in 1996.
The General Ben Hardin Helm Camp SCV, Elizabethtown, Ky. erected a gravemarker in his memory in the Old Rinngold City Cemetery.
The Owensboro, KY United Confederate Veterans named their camp in honor of Maj. Graves. ∼Major Rice E. Graves (Confederate) was a member of the famous Kentucky Orphan's Brigade. He attended West Point but due to the Civil War was unable to complete his studies. He volunteered and entered as a first lieutenant and adjutant. In November 1861 he was placed in charge of a battery of field-pieces, he quicly rose to the rank of Captain and commanded what became known as Graves Battery. When General Breckenridge reorganized a division at Murfeesboro, Graves was named Chief of Artillery and soon attained the rank of Major. At Stone River he was wounded twice and even had his horse shot under him. He proved himself a superior soldier and artillerest, so good in fact that after the war General Grant inquired who commanded that battery? Noting that where ever he tried to move or conceal his men the cannons of Major Graves found him! Major Graves recieved a temporary promotion by General Breckinridge to Assistant Inspector General on 9 August 1863. Major Graves was killed in The Battle of Chickamauga 20 September 1863. The following eulogy was entered by General Brekinridge in his report of the battle "One member of my staff I cannot thank; Major Rice E. Graves, Chief of Artillery, recieved a mortal wound on Sunday,the 20th (Sepember 1863), Although a young mam, he had won eminence in arms, and gave promise of the highest distinction. A truer friend, a purer patriot, a better soldier, never lived."
The General Ben Hardin Helm Camp SCV, Elizabethtown, Ky. erected a gravemarker in his memory in the Old Rinngold City Cemetery.
The Owensboro, KY United Confederate Veterans named their camp in honor of Maj. Graves. ∼Major Rice E. Graves (Confederate) was a member of the famous Kentucky Orphan's Brigade. He attended West Point but due to the Civil War was unable to complete his studies. He volunteered and entered as a first lieutenant and adjutant. In November 1861 he was placed in charge of a battery of field-pieces, he quicly rose to the rank of Captain and commanded what became known as Graves Battery. When General Breckenridge reorganized a division at Murfeesboro, Graves was named Chief of Artillery and soon attained the rank of Major. At Stone River he was wounded twice and even had his horse shot under him. He proved himself a superior soldier and artillerest, so good in fact that after the war General Grant inquired who commanded that battery? Noting that where ever he tried to move or conceal his men the cannons of Major Graves found him! Major Graves recieved a temporary promotion by General Breckinridge to Assistant Inspector General on 9 August 1863. Major Graves was killed in The Battle of Chickamauga 20 September 1863. The following eulogy was entered by General Brekinridge in his report of the battle "One member of my staff I cannot thank; Major Rice E. Graves, Chief of Artillery, recieved a mortal wound on Sunday,the 20th (Sepember 1863), Although a young mam, he had won eminence in arms, and gave promise of the highest distinction. A truer friend, a purer patriot, a better soldier, never lived."
Maj. Graves was raised in Daviess County Kentucky. Joined the Confederacy and became a major in the Washington Light Artillery, CSA., attached to Breckiridge's Division. Was mortally wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, GA. His body was taken to a local military hospital, where he later died. He is buried in an unknown grave, which was unmarked in 1996.
The General Ben Hardin Helm Camp SCV, Elizabethtown, Ky. erected a gravemarker in his memory in the Old Rinngold City Cemetery.
The Owensboro, KY United Confederate Veterans named their camp in honor of Maj. Graves. ∼Major Rice E. Graves (Confederate) was a member of the famous Kentucky Orphan's Brigade. He attended West Point but due to the Civil War was unable to complete his studies. He volunteered and entered as a first lieutenant and adjutant. In November 1861 he was placed in charge of a battery of field-pieces, he quicly rose to the rank of Captain and commanded what became known as Graves Battery. When General Breckenridge reorganized a division at Murfeesboro, Graves was named Chief of Artillery and soon attained the rank of Major. At Stone River he was wounded twice and even had his horse shot under him. He proved himself a superior soldier and artillerest, so good in fact that after the war General Grant inquired who commanded that battery? Noting that where ever he tried to move or conceal his men the cannons of Major Graves found him! Major Graves recieved a temporary promotion by General Breckinridge to Assistant Inspector General on 9 August 1863. Major Graves was killed in The Battle of Chickamauga 20 September 1863. The following eulogy was entered by General Brekinridge in his report of the battle "One member of my staff I cannot thank; Major Rice E. Graves, Chief of Artillery, recieved a mortal wound on Sunday,the 20th (Sepember 1863), Although a young mam, he had won eminence in arms, and gave promise of the highest distinction. A truer friend, a purer patriot, a better soldier, never lived."
The General Ben Hardin Helm Camp SCV, Elizabethtown, Ky. erected a gravemarker in his memory in the Old Rinngold City Cemetery.
The Owensboro, KY United Confederate Veterans named their camp in honor of Maj. Graves. ∼Major Rice E. Graves (Confederate) was a member of the famous Kentucky Orphan's Brigade. He attended West Point but due to the Civil War was unable to complete his studies. He volunteered and entered as a first lieutenant and adjutant. In November 1861 he was placed in charge of a battery of field-pieces, he quicly rose to the rank of Captain and commanded what became known as Graves Battery. When General Breckenridge reorganized a division at Murfeesboro, Graves was named Chief of Artillery and soon attained the rank of Major. At Stone River he was wounded twice and even had his horse shot under him. He proved himself a superior soldier and artillerest, so good in fact that after the war General Grant inquired who commanded that battery? Noting that where ever he tried to move or conceal his men the cannons of Major Graves found him! Major Graves recieved a temporary promotion by General Breckinridge to Assistant Inspector General on 9 August 1863. Major Graves was killed in The Battle of Chickamauga 20 September 1863. The following eulogy was entered by General Brekinridge in his report of the battle "One member of my staff I cannot thank; Major Rice E. Graves, Chief of Artillery, recieved a mortal wound on Sunday,the 20th (Sepember 1863), Although a young mam, he had won eminence in arms, and gave promise of the highest distinction. A truer friend, a purer patriot, a better soldier, never lived."
