Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, August 3.

 Click 👉 Today in History (general history) Aug. 3.

On This Day in Confederal History, Aug. 3.

1861: The victory at the First Battle of Manassas in Virginia was still being hailed as a great step toward Southern Independence, and Southerners were enthusiastically encouraged about their nation. The names of generals Joseph Johnston, P.G.T. Beauregard, Stonewall Jackson, and James Longstreet had become nationally known as heroes. President Jefferson Davis may also have been at the pinnacle of his personal popularity.

CLICK👉The Tiger Rifles: 

The Making of a Louisiana Legend

A history of Company B, 1st Special Battalion (Wheat's), Louisiana Volunteers in the War Between the States. The Tiger Rifles, Company B, of Wheat's Battalion became famous because of their flashy Zouave uniforms, their famous battalion commander, Major Roberdeau Wheat, and their heroics at the First Battle of Manassas. Their nickname, Tigers, became attached, first to the battalion, and then to all Louisiana troops serving in the Army of Northern Virginia. The book tries to separate fact from myth about the Tigers. The men became so notorious for their antics in camp, they got blamed for a lot of things they didn't do, although they did plenty on their own to deserve their reputation. Also examined is the possible real identity of their company commander, Captain Alexander White. His name is an alias, but as far as is known, his real identity has been a mystery. The book focuses tightly on the men of the Tiger Rifles and brings them to life as much as the limited resources allow.

An unidentified Zouave.

The ambrotype was bought in Baton Rouge, LA.

(9th Plate tintype-colorized, M.D. Jones Collection)

1863: The Richmond Times Dispatch reported on a possible victory by Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor in the 2nd Battle of Donaldsonville, La.: "The telegraph, as announced on Saturday morning, has again given Gen. Taylor a victory. The enemy's account of the engagement at Donaldsonville encourages the idea that the victory was on our side, or we might seriously doubt the intelligence from our telegraphic agents in that quarter, who have, in the last three months, sent us much startling news that needed confirmation, and which has not to this day received it. While we accept the fact very gratefully that the General has defeated Banks, we are not sure as to the 6,000 prisoners. We trust that part of the story is also true; for we are very much in need of Yankee prisoners at the present time!"

The battle, which occurred on June 28, was a Federal victory. Taylor was not there, and the Confederates were commanded by Brig. Gen. Tom Green with his brigade and Brig. Gen. James Major's Texas cavalry brigade. The Federals were in a strong fort and supported by two gunboats. Several futile Confederate assaults were repulsed by the Federals. The total Confederate casualties were 301, and the total Federal casualties were 23.

Confederate General Birthdays, Aug. 3.

Brigadier General William Miller was born on this day in 1820 at Ithaca, New York. Miller moved with his family to Louisiana as a child and was educated there. During the Mexican-American War, he served under General Zachary Taylor and was awarded a land grant in Florida. In Florida, he became a lawyer and businessman and practiced in Santa Rosa County. During the War for Southern Independence, he organized the 3rd Battalion Florida Infantry with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The battalion was consolidated with other units to form the 1st Florida Infantry which he commanded as colonel. Miller led the regiment at the Battle of Perryville, Ky. and the Battle of Murfreesboro where he was severely wounded. When he had recovered enough, he was put in command of the Confederate Conscript Bureau for Alabama and Florida. Promoted to brigadier general on August 2, 1864, and given command of the Florida District and the 1st Florida Reserves. Milled led his men in one of the last Confederate victories of the war, the Battle of Natural Bridge on March 6, 1865, saving Tallahassee, the Confederate capital of Florida, from Federal occupation. Following the war, Miller returned to his timber business and served as a justice of the peace and for two terms in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. He died on August 8, 1909, and was buried in Point Washington Cemetery, but then his remains were moved to St. John's Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

Brig. Gen. William Miller

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, August 2.

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On This Day in Confederate History, August 2.

1861: Fort Stanton, New Mexico Territory, is evacuated by the Federals and is occupied by Lt. Col. John Baylor's 300-man 2nd Texas Cavalry Regiment (aka 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles). Baylor was also the first governor of the Confederate Territory of Arizona. He was also promoted to colonel. Here is an overview of the regiment from the National Park Service: Battle Unit Details: "2nd Cavalry Regiment, about 1,200 strong, was organized in May 1861, under the designation of the 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles. It was reorganized in April 1862 as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The men were recruited in San Antonio, Houston, Marshall, and Beeville, and the counties of Anderson, Houston, Nacogdoches, and Cherokee. Serving in the Trans-Mississippi Department, it was active in various conflicts in the New Mexico Territory and Louisiana then saw action in the defense of Galveston. In November 1862, the unit totaled 752 effective, had 19 officers and 167 men in July 1864, and about 150 present in April 1865. Although it was included in the surrender on June 2, it had previously disbanded. The field officers were Colonels John S. Ford and Charles L. Pyron; Lieutenant Colonels John R. Baylor and James Walker; and Majors John Donelson, Matthew Nolan, William A. Spencer, and Edward Waller, Jr."

Unidentified soldier in Western-style Confederate uniform with, Hardee hat & musket.

(Liljenquist Collection, Library of Congress)

Col. John Baylor

1862: Confederate and Federal cavalry skirmish at Orange Court House, Va. , during a reconnaissance in force from Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks' II Corps. The 17th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, was picketing the area when overwhelmed by the Federals. The 7th Virginia Cavalry, under Col., later Brig. Gen. William "Grumble" Jones came as reinforcements. Jones' men charged, and the Yankees countercharged, and the Virginians were again overwhelmed. When Jones was surrounded by Yankees, the cantankerous Confederate hacked his way out with his sword. The Confederates retreated to a plantation south of the town. There are widely conflicting estimates of casualties on both sides.

Col. William "Grumble" Jones

Confederate General Birthdays, August 2.

None.

CLICK👉The Battle of Calcasieu Pass

And the Great Naval Raid 

on Lake Charles, Louisiana

The Battle of Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, 6 May 1864, was a small but sharp battle between two Union gunboats, the U.S.S. Wave and the U.S.S. Granite City, and about 350 Confederates with four small cannons. The Confederates included a diverse group of Texas Germans, Mexicans, and Anglo-Celts. The battle was a complete victory for the Confederates. The book includes photos, maps, footnotes, bibliography, and index.

Today om History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays. August 1.

 Click 👉Today in History (general history) August 1. 

On This Day in Confederate History, August 1.

1861: At Mesilla, New Mexico, Confederate Lt. Col. John Baylor proclaims the Confederate Territory of Arizona and New Mexico south of the 34th parallel. This follows the rout of the Federal forces from Fort Fillmore at the First Battle of Mesilla on July 25, 1861, and the defeat of the 500 Federals by Baylor's 300 Confederates on July 27. Mesilla was also declared the capital of the Confederate Territory of Arizona. The Federals burned Fort Fillmore and retreated to Fort Stanton.

1864: Lt. Gen. Jubal Early's Confederate Army of the Shenandoah Valley, which has defeated two Federal armies in the Valley, is now confronted by Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan's much larger army. Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant tasked Sheridan with executing a "scorched earth" policy against Early's army and Valley residents.

In the Atlanta Campaign before the city of Atlanta, the Federals heavily bombarded both Confederate defenses as well as the city, which became a daily routine. Both the Federals and Confederates continue to extend their lines.

Confederate General Birthdays, August 1.

Brigadier General Maxcy Gregg was born in 1814 in Columbia, South Carolina. Gregg was a lawyer before the War for Southern Independence, but got some military experience in the Mexican-American War, serving as a major in the 12th U.S. Infantry. He was also a scholar dabbling in such fields as astronomy, botany, ornithology, and foreign languages. In politics, he was a strong advocate and secessionist for South Carolina. A man of action, Gregg organized the 1st South Carolina Volunteers when South Carolina seceded and was its first colonel. With the organization of the Confederacy, he became a brigadier general. His battles included Fort Sumter, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg (wounded), and Fredericksburg, mortally wounded. His mortal wound came in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., while commanding a brigade in A.P. Hill's "Light Division," and he died on Dec. 15, 1862, in a field hospital. On his deathbed, he was reported to have said, "I yield my life cheerfully, fighting for the independence of South Carolina." Gregg was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina.

Brig. Gen. Maxcy Gregg

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Brigadier General William Yarnel Slack was born on this day in 1816 in Mason County, Kentucky. His family moved to Boone County, Missouri when he was 3-years-old. During the Mexican-American War, Slack served as a captain in the 2nd Missouri Volunteers. Afterward, he served in the Missouri General Assembly. In 1861, Slack was appointed a brigadier general in the Missouri State Guard. His battles included Carthage, Springfield, and Oak Hill (Wilson's Creek). General Slack was commanding a division of Confederates when he was mortally wounded in the Battle of Elk Horn Tavern (Pea Ridge), Arkansas, and died on March 21, 1862. He was posthumously commissioned a brigadier general on April 12, 1862. In 1880 his remains were transferred to the Fayetteville Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

Brig. Gen. William Y. Slack

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CLICK👉Fighting for Southern Independence

History of the 11th Texas Infantry Regiment

This is the story of a regiment of Southern patriots fighting in defense of their homes and families in the War for Southern Independence. Most of them were ordinary East Texas farmers who performed great feats of physical endurance, fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, and became one of the premier fighting regiments of the legendary Walker's Texas Division of the Confederate Army. These Texans helped turn back major Federal Army invasions in Louisiana at the Battle of Bayou Bourbeau, the Battle of Mansfield, the Battle of Pleasant Hill, and the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, thus saving their home state of Texas from the kind of death and destruction visited on so many other Southern states.

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, July 31.

 Click 👉Today in History (general history) July 31. 

On This Day in Confederate History, July 31.

1864: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Crater, in the Petersburg, Va. Campaign, Confederate generals were praised, particularly generals William Mahone, Bushrod Johnson, and Stephen Elliot. The Federal generals were tainted by their actions in the battle. General George G. Meade brought charges against Ambrose Burnside, and a court of inquiry censured him and brigadier generals James Ledlie, Edward Ferro, Orlando B. Wilcox, and Col. Zenas R. Bliss. Later, in 1865, the Congressional Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War absolved Burnside and censured Meade. 

A Confederate lieutenant colonel

with a New Orleans back mark.

(Liljenquist Collection, Library of Congress)

 In the Atlanta Campaign, General John Bell Hood and Major General Joseph "Fighting Joe" Wheeler responded to a Federal Cavalry raid on the Confederate supply lines, which began July 27. Federal cavalry generals George Stoneman, Edward McCook, and Kenner Garrard were scheduled to meet at Lovejoy Station on July 28 to destroy it. They have initial successes in capturing 300 prisoners and almost 500 wagons. Wheeler engages Garrard in heavy skirmishing at Flat Rock on July 28 and 29 and forces him back to Latimer, Ga. 

Confederate General Birthdays, July 31.

Brigadier General Philip Cook was born on this day in 1817 in Twiggs County, Georgia. A prewar lawyer in Macon County, Georgia, Cook had some military experience in the U.S. Army in the Seminole Wars in Florida. In 1861, he joined the Confederate Army as a private in the 4th Georgia Infantry and worked his way up to brigadier general. He fought in the Seven Days Campaign, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, and Chancellorsville where he was wounded. While recovering, he served for a brief time in the Georgia legislature. Returning to duty in 1864, he took command of a brigade at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Va., and was wounded for a second time during the Siege of Petersburg, Va. After recovering, Cook fought in the Battle of Cedar Creek and then at Petersburg again where he was wounded again in 1865. Following the war, he practiced law in Americus, Georgia, and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, then Secretary of State in Georgia. Cook died May 21, 1894, in Atlanta, Georgia, and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia.

Brig. Gen. Philip Cook

Brigadier General Thomas Hart Taylor was born on this day in 1825 at Frankfort, Kentucky. Before the war, Taylor was a lawyer and farmer who raised cattle. He received some prewar military experience in the Mexican-American War. During the War for Southern Independence, he joined the Confederate Army as a captain of the cavalry and became a lieutenant colonel. He became colonel of the 1st Kentucky Infantry Regiment and then commanded a brigade in Eastern Tennessee. Taylor was appointed a brigadier general but failed to get nominated by President Davis or approved by the Confederate senate. He was captured at the end of the Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., and after he was exchanged served at Mobile, Ala., and in the Battle of Meridian, Miss. He became commander of local defense troops and reserves at Mobile until the evacuation of that city on April 11, 1865. Following the war, Taylor was a businessman in Mobile, then a U.S. Marshal for five years in Kentucky. Taylor then became the chief of police in Louisville, Ky., and was a superintendent of Louisville and Portland Canal. He died on April 12, 1901, in Louisville and was buried in State Cemetery in Frankfort, Ky.

Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Taylor

CLICK👉Mouton's Louisiana Brigade

In the War for Southern Independence

This is the story of one of the most unique Louisiana infantry brigades in the War for Southern Independence. It was made up of an ethnically diverse hodgepodge of Louisiana's very diverse population, including South Louisiana Cajuns, North Louisiana Rednecks, and New Orleans Irish, Germans, and other ethnic groups then populating the Crescent City. The regiments of the brigade included the 18th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, the 24th Louisiana Infantry (Crescent) Regiment, and the 10th (Yellow Jackets), and the 12/16th Louisiana infantry battalions. Early in the war, some of the units fought in other brigades at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee. When the brigade was formed in Louisiana in the fall of 1862, they fought in the Lafourche Campaign of 1862, the Bayou Teche Campaign of the spring of 1863, the Great Texas Overland Expedition of 1863, and the Red River Campaign of 1864. The brigade was led by one of the most colorful, chivalrous, and competent Confederate commanders of the war, Brigadier General Alfred Mouton of Lafayette, Louisiana. The fighting men of the brigade time and again fought with great valor and left a legacy of gallantry that makes their descendants proud to this day.

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, July 30.

Click 👉 Today in History (general history) July 30.

On This Day in Confederate History, July 30.

1864: The Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, Va., took place on this day, one of the epic battles of the war. It was the culmination of Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant's plan to break the Confederate defense line. The attack was carried out by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps with about 8,500 men. Confederate Maj. Gen. William Mahone led the Confederate counterattack with about 6,100 men. The Federals had a tunnel dug underneath the Confederate fortifications and packed the part underneath the Confederates with 360 barrels of gunpowder. The explosion was ignited beneath the part of the line held by the 18th and 22nd South Carolina and immediately killed 283 Confederates. The huge crater proved to be an obstacle to the Federal troops assaulting the line. Among those assaulted was the U.S. Colored Troops of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero, who was seen drinking behind the lines with Maj. Gen. James H. Ledlie. The crater was too deep and became a death trap for the Federals. Confederates under Mahone quickly manned the top of the crater, and the battle of a "turkey shoot" for the Southerners. Mahone reinforced Maj. Gen. Bushrod Johnson's Division and some artillery. The Federals lost 504 men killed, 1,881 wounded, and 1,413 missing or captured for a total of 3,798. The Confederates lost 361 men killed, 727 wounded, and 403 missing or captured for a total of 1,491. 

Battle of the Crater by John Adams Elder, 1899

It was under Brig. Stephen Elliott's part of the

 line, Elliott's Salient, under which the Yankee 

mine exploded in the Battle of the Crater. He was

asleep in a bomb-proof when it erupted, and he 

led his two surviving 

regiments as part of the counterattack

 and was severely wounded in the chest and arm.

Confederate General Birthdays, July 30.

None.`

Click👉Lee's Second Louisiana Infantry  Brigade

In the Army of Northern Virginia

This is the history of one of the hardest-fighting brigades in Gen. Robert E. Lee's legendary Army of Northern Virginia, the Second Louisiana Infantry Brigade. It was one of Lee's most reliable infantry brigades, often used in some of his most dangerous situations, and it never let him down. The brigade included the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 10th, 14th, and 15th infantry regiments, and the 1st Battalion Louisiana Zouaves. The brigade was commanded throughout the war by outstanding brigadiers, including Brig. Gen. William E. Starke, Brig. Gen. Francis T. Nicholls, and Brig. Gen. Leroy Stafford. The brigade fought in such epic battles as Second Manassas, Sharpsburg (Antietam), Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Petersburg, and many other smaller battles and skirmishes. The men of the brigade were representative of the diverse population of Louisiana of the time, including typical Southern farm boys, ruffians from the New Orleans waterfront, as well as refined gentlemen from some of Louisiana's finest families. There was also a virtual Babylon of foreign languages spoken in the brigade. This is their story, from secession to Appomattox.

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthday, July 29.

Click👉Today in History (general history) July 29. 

On This Day in Confederate History, July 29.

1862: The Battle of Moore's Mill, Missouri took place on this day in 1862 when Colonel Odon Guitar's 9th Missouri State Militia (Federal) Cavalry, the 3rd  Indiana Battery, and the 3rd Iowa Cavalry, numbering 733 men, were attacked by Colonel Joseph C. Porter's 1st Northeast Missouri (Confederate) Cavalry, Blackfoot Rangers, and Cobb's Guerillas, numbering between 260 and 350 troopers in Callaway County Missouri in the northeastern part of the state. The battle started when the Confederate Missourians ambushed the Federal Missourians along the banks of Auxvasse Creek. The Federals took cover in the trees, and Guitar brought out his artillery. Porter ordered a charge on the guns and captured one of the pieces. The Federals recaptured the gun and drove off the Confederates. After firing on each other from cover for several hours, Porter's men ran short of ammunition and had to withdraw. Guitar's men were too exhausted to pursue their enemies. The Federals lost 13 killed and 55 wounded. Confederate casualties were estimated to be 11 killed and 21 severely wounded.

 

Maj. James W. Porter

1st N.E. Missouri Cavalry

Brother of Col. Joseph C. Porter

(Wikipedia Commons)

The Confederate cruiser C.S.S. Alabama, one of the most famous and successful Confederate Navy warships in the war under the command of Captain Raphael Semmes, was successfully launched on this day in 1862. It secretly set sail from Birkenhead, England, and evaded the U.S.S. Tuscarora which was waiting to intercept it. Alabama was 220 feet in length, 31 feet 8 inches in beam, and had a 17-foot draft. It had both auxiliary sails and steam engines and was capable of a speed of 13 knots. Alabama's armament included 6, 32-pounders, one 110-pounder, and one 68-pounder. It was built by John Laird Sons & Company. Alabama's motto was "Aide Toi, Et Dieu T'aidera" ("God helps those who help themselves).

CSS Alabama

Ravaged the Yankee merchant fleet

and sank the USS Hatteras.

Admiral Raphael Semmes

Confederate General Birthdays, July 29.

None.

CLICK👉Randal's Texas Brigade

Fighting for Southern Independence

This is the history of one of the finest bodies of Confederate infantry in the War for Southern Independence. General Kirby Smith and Lieutenant General Richard Taylor regarded Randal's Texas Brigade as the best infantry brigade in the Trans-Mississippi West. The brigade was primarily composed of the 11th Texas Infantry Regiment, 14th Texas Infantry Regiment, the 28th Texas Cavalry (Dismounted), and the 6th Battalion (Gould's) Texas Infantry. It participated in major battles of the Trans-Mississippi Department, including all or part of the battles of Bayou Bourbeau, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill— all in Louisiana— and Jenkins' Ferry in Arkansas. The men of Randal's Texas Brigade played a significant role in keeping Texas largely free from the destruction inflicted on othed

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, July 28.

Click 👉Today in History (general history) July 28.

On This Day in Confederate History, July 28.

1864: The Battle of Ezra Church, Ga. in the Atlanta Campaign occurred today 158 years ago.  Confederate General John Bell Hood, commander of the Army of Tennessee had 18,450 men in the battle, and Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman had 13,266 of his Federal Army of Tennessee. Hood was planning to attack by surprise an isolated part of the much larger Federal Army. Sherman wanted to cut off a vital railroad link into Atlanta. Not only were the Federals not caught by surprise, but they were also well dug in and ready for an attack. Leading the attack was Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee's Corps, formerly Hood's Corps. While the Confederate assaults were repulsed, they did succeed in preventing the Federals, under Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, from reaching the railroad line. Confederate casualties were estimated to be about 3,000, and those of the Federals 642. Among the Confederate casualties was Lt. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart, who was one of the commanders in the Army of Tennessee, and was wounded.

Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee

He led a corps at Ezra Church

formerly led by Gen. J.B. Hood

(Library of Congress)

CLICK👉Fighting for Southern Independence

A History of the 13th Louisiana Infantry

From the Battle of Shiloh to  the Siege of Spanish Fort

This is the story of one of the most heroic and hardest-fighting regiments in the Confederate Army, the 13th Louisiana Infantry. The men of this regiment were largely from the New Orleans area. They fought in such famous battles as Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Atlanta (Campaign), Franklin, and Nashville in the main Confederate Army of the Tennessee in the Western Theater of operations. They served under such Confederate generals as P.G.T. Beauregard, Braxton Bragg, Joseph Johnston, John Bell Hood, and Richard Taylor.

The second day of the First Battle of Deep Bottom, Va. in the Petersburg Campaign also occurred on this day. Federal Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant planned a diversionary attack at that location near Richmond to force Gen. Robert E. Lee to transfer reinforcements from Petersburg and weaken the Confederates there for a planned attack on July 30, 1864. Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan's Cavalry tried to turn the Confederate left, but three brigades of Confederate infantry stopped the attempt. The dismounted bluecoat cavalry repulsed the attack with repeating carbines, while some mounted Yanks in pursuit captured about 200 Confederates. Howard made no more attempts to storm the strong Confederate defenses after this day. Federal casualties were 62 killed, 340 wounded, and 86 missing or captured. The Confederates lost 80 killed, 392 wounded, and 208 captured.

 Confederate General Birthdays, July 28.

Brigadier General William Edwin Baldwin was born on this day in 1827 at Stateburg, South Carolina. Prior to the war, he was a bookstore owner and member of the local militia company at Columbus, Miss. During the war, he became the colonel of the 14th Mississippi Infantry and then was promoted to brigadier general. His battles were Fort Donelson (captured), Coffeeville, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, and Vicksburg (captured). He was killed on Feb. 19, 1864, in an accident when a broken stirrup caused him to fall off his horse near Mobile, Alabama, and was buried in Friendship Cemetery in Mobile. 

Brig. Gen. William E. Baldwin

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Brigadier General James Henry Lane was born on this day in 1833 at Mathews Court House, Va. He was a 1854 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, received a master's degree from the University of Virginia, and was a professor at VMI and of natural philosophy at the North Carolina Military Institute. During the war, he was a major and lieutenant colonel, and then colonel of the 28th North Carolina Infantry. Lane was promoted to brigadier general on Nov. 1, 1862. His battles and campaigns included Big Bethel, Seven Days Battles (wounded twice), Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Overland Campaign, Cold Harbor (wounded), Siege of Petersburg, and Appomattox. Following the war, he was a professor of civil engineering at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical, and Alabama Polytechnic. Lane died on Sept. 21, 1897, in Auburn, Alabama, and was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Auburn.

Brig. Gen. James H. Lane

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Brigadier General William Duncan Smith was born on this day in 1825 in Augusta, Ga. He graduated from West Point in 1862 ranking 35th out of 59 cadets. During the Mexican American War, Smith was wounded in the Battle of Molino del Rey. He resigned from the U.S. Army on Jan. 28, 1861, and joined the Confederate Army on March 16, 1861, as a captain of the cavalry. Smith was soon promoted to major in the 1st Georgia Regular Infantry. He was then promoted to colonel of the 20th Georgia Infantry and to brigadier general on March 7, 1862. He fought in the Battle of Secessionville, S.C., on June 16, 1862. General Smith died on Oct. 4, 1862, of yellow fever while on duty in Charleston, South Carolina. He was buried in the City Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia.

Brig. Gen. William D. Smith

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