Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he settled in Vicksburg, Mississippi, as a schoolteacher, after graduating in 1837 from Ohio University. During the Mexican War he served as regimental adjutant of the 1st Mississippi Rifles, commanded by Jefferson Davis. Returning to Mississippi after the war, he lived in Jackson, where he was a banker, United States marshal, and state treasurer for 2 terms. When Mississippi seceded, thought he was Northern born, he was elected Colonel of the 12th Mississippi. He and the 12th Mississippi would miss the first battle however, arriving at Manassas, Virginia, a few days after First Bull Run. On November 12, 1861, this close friend of the Confederate President secured a commission as Brigadier General and the command of a brigade. This brigade was in the First Corps, however later in early 1862, he would command the same brigade as a part of D.H. Hill's Division, Department of Northern Virginia. Not long afterwards, they were transferred to Major General John B. Magruder's Division, Department of Northern Virginia. Serving around Leesburg, it was decided in Richmond that Mississippi regiments should be assigned to the brigades of himself and General W.H.C. Whiting. General Joseph E. Johnston, however felt that it was not advisable to reorganize in the face of the enemy. This feud between Davis and Johnston continued for months. In the end, he led his brigade to the Peninsula, and the Seven Days' Campaign. In the Battle of Savage Station on June 29, 1862, during General George B. McClellan's retreat from in front of the Confederate capital, he fell mortally wounded, dying later in the evening. Afterwards, he was mourned deeply by his old friend and commander, Jefferson Davis, who arranged for his body to be sent back to Mississippi.
Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he settled in Vicksburg, Mississippi, as a schoolteacher, after graduating in 1837 from Ohio University. During the Mexican War he served as regimental adjutant of the 1st Mississippi Rifles, commanded by Jefferson Davis. Returning to Mississippi after the war, he lived in Jackson, where he was a banker, United States marshal, and state treasurer for 2 terms. When Mississippi seceded, thought he was Northern born, he was elected Colonel of the 12th Mississippi. He and the 12th Mississippi would miss the first battle however, arriving at Manassas, Virginia, a few days after First Bull Run. On November 12, 1861, this close friend of the Confederate President secured a commission as Brigadier General and the command of a brigade. This brigade was in the First Corps, however later in early 1862, he would command the same brigade as a part of D.H. Hill's Division, Department of Northern Virginia. Not long afterwards, they were transferred to Major General John B. Magruder's Division, Department of Northern Virginia. Serving around Leesburg, it was decided in Richmond that Mississippi regiments should be assigned to the brigades of himself and General W.H.C. Whiting. General Joseph E. Johnston, however felt that it was not advisable to reorganize in the face of the enemy. This feud between Davis and Johnston continued for months. In the end, he led his brigade to the Peninsula, and the Seven Days' Campaign. In the Battle of Savage Station on June 29, 1862, during General George B. McClellan's retreat from in front of the Confederate capital, he fell mortally wounded, dying later in the evening. Afterwards, he was mourned deeply by his old friend and commander, Jefferson Davis, who arranged for his body to be sent back to Mississippi.
Bio by: Ugaalltheway
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