Civil War Confederate Brigadier General, US Senator. Born in Limestone County, Alabama, he was admitted to the bar in 1842, practice law in Gainesville, Alabama and served as judge of the seventh circuit, 1855 to 1858. With the start of the Civil War, he enlisted into the Confederate Army and was commissioned a Major in the 20th Alabama. Infantry. Rising through the ranks, he was promoted Brigadier General in September 1863 and commanded a brigade in campaigns at Chattanooga, Atlanta and the Carolinas. After the war, he resumed legal practice and in 1897, was elected as a Democrat to the US Senate, serving until his death. In 1877, during the final year of Reconstruction, Pettus was named Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. With earnings from his law practice, he bought farm land. In 1896, at the age of 75, Pettus ran for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat and won, beating incumbent James L. Pugh. (In 1877, during the final year of Reconstruction, Pettus was named Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. With earnings from his law practice, he bought farm land. In 1896, at the age of 75, Pettus ran for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat and won, beating incumbent James L. Pugh.
Civil War Confederate Brigadier General, US Senator. Born in Limestone County, Alabama, he was admitted to the bar in 1842, practice law in Gainesville, Alabama and served as judge of the seventh circuit, 1855 to 1858. With the start of the Civil War, he enlisted into the Confederate Army and was commissioned a Major in the 20th Alabama. Infantry. Rising through the ranks, he was promoted Brigadier General in September 1863 and commanded a brigade in campaigns at Chattanooga, Atlanta and the Carolinas. After the war, he resumed legal practice and in 1897, was elected as a Democrat to the US Senate, serving until his death. In 1877, during the final year of Reconstruction, Pettus was named Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. With earnings from his law practice, he bought farm land. In 1896, at the age of 75, Pettus ran for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat and won, beating incumbent James L. Pugh. (In 1877, during the final year of Reconstruction, Pettus was named Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. With earnings from his law practice, he bought farm land. In 1896, at the age of 75, Pettus ran for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat and won, beating incumbent James L. Pugh.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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