Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born at Rockbridge City, Virginia, he was a graduate of Washington College, (now Washington and Lee), and Yale University, and studied law at the University of Virginia, ranking 1st in his class. He began his legal practice in Ohio before settling in Lexington, Virginia, in 1854. 5 years later he abandoned his profession because of failing eyesight. When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, he enlisted as a Lieutenant in the Rockbridge Rifles, which became a company of the 27th Virginia Infantry. This regiment of Shenandoah Valley volunteers and 4 other Virginia regiments were brigaded under the command of Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson. At First Bull Run, Jackson and his command earned enduring fame as "Stonewall" and the "Stonewall Brigade." In October 1861 he was elected Major of the 27th. Nicknamed "Bull," he lacked the ability to gain favor with his men and in the spring of 1862, he failed reelection. Jackson, who liked his fellow Lexingtonian, appointed him to his staff as assistant adjutant general with the rank of Major. He served Jackson during the campaigns of 1862, temporarily acting as chief of staff. On November 1, with Jackson's endorsement, the staff officer was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the command of the Stonewall Brigade. Jackson advanced him over all the regimental commanders, whom Jackson believed were not qualified for the post. The officers and enlisted men vehemently protested the appointment. Colonel Andrew Jackson Grigsby, commander of the 27th, led the protest, eventually resigning in disgust. He never had the opportunity to vindicate his selection by Jackson. The Stonewall Brigade held a reserve position at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in December 1862. At Chancellorsville, on May 2, 1863, when Jackson's Corps routed the Union XI Corps in a surprise attack, his brigade again acted as support. The next morning, as the brigade prepared to attack in the early light, he was killed instantly by a minie ball. Today he rests today only a few feet from Jackson.
Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. Born at Rockbridge City, Virginia, he was a graduate of Washington College, (now Washington and Lee), and Yale University, and studied law at the University of Virginia, ranking 1st in his class. He began his legal practice in Ohio before settling in Lexington, Virginia, in 1854. 5 years later he abandoned his profession because of failing eyesight. When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, he enlisted as a Lieutenant in the Rockbridge Rifles, which became a company of the 27th Virginia Infantry. This regiment of Shenandoah Valley volunteers and 4 other Virginia regiments were brigaded under the command of Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson. At First Bull Run, Jackson and his command earned enduring fame as "Stonewall" and the "Stonewall Brigade." In October 1861 he was elected Major of the 27th. Nicknamed "Bull," he lacked the ability to gain favor with his men and in the spring of 1862, he failed reelection. Jackson, who liked his fellow Lexingtonian, appointed him to his staff as assistant adjutant general with the rank of Major. He served Jackson during the campaigns of 1862, temporarily acting as chief of staff. On November 1, with Jackson's endorsement, the staff officer was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the command of the Stonewall Brigade. Jackson advanced him over all the regimental commanders, whom Jackson believed were not qualified for the post. The officers and enlisted men vehemently protested the appointment. Colonel Andrew Jackson Grigsby, commander of the 27th, led the protest, eventually resigning in disgust. He never had the opportunity to vindicate his selection by Jackson. The Stonewall Brigade held a reserve position at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in December 1862. At Chancellorsville, on May 2, 1863, when Jackson's Corps routed the Union XI Corps in a surprise attack, his brigade again acted as support. The next morning, as the brigade prepared to attack in the early light, he was killed instantly by a minie ball. Today he rests today only a few feet from Jackson.
Bio by: Ugaalltheway
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