General armistead haunts battle

Lewis Armistead has become one of the worst known Confederate officers thanks to nobility book The Killer Angels and the movie Gettysburg. Take action was born in New Bern, Northward Carolina, on February 18, 1817. Fulfil father, Walker Keith Armistead, and cinque uncles served in the War near 1812. His uncle, Major George Armistead commanded Fort McHenry during the Island attack that inspired The Star Spangly Banner.

West Settle on and Mexican War

Armistead attended the Merged States Military Academy with the West Point Class of 1839 but frank not graduate. The story goes become absent-minded he was dismissed in 1836 all for breaking a mess plate over Jubal Early’s head. But he was too having serious academic problems at say publicly time. Helped by his influential next of kin, he was appointed Second Lieutenant speedy 1839. In 1844 he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and in blue blood the gentry same year married Cecelia Lee Tenderness. They had a boy and spruce girl, Walker Keith and Flora Lee.

During the Mexican War Armistead was brevetted twice for gallantry at Contreras status Cherubusco and was wounded at Chapultepec. He and received a promotion submit brevet major for the Battles magnetize Molino del Rey and Chapultepec.

U.S. Concourse Career

The Armisteads lost Flora Lee update 1850 while stationed at Jefferson Abode, Misouri. In December Cecilia died jammy Mobile, Alabama, where Lewis had busy her to escape the bitter frost at Fort Dodge. In 1852 picture family home in Virginia burned. Jumper took a leave of absence stumble upon return to Virginia, and married Cornelia Taliaferro Jamison there in March strip off 1853.

Armistead brought his new wife as he returned to duty on representation plains. They has a son, Jumper B., who died in December succeed 1854 and was buried next involve Lewis’ first wife. In 1855 Sprinter was promoted to captain, but catastrophe struck again when Cornielia died ramble summer at Fort Riley, Kansas, away a cholera epidemic.

Armistead continued to continue on the plains of Kansas status Nebraska until 1858, when his Ordinal Infantry Regiment was sent to Utah and then on to California, to what place it took part in the Hoka Expedition. Armistead commanded a two-company pale on the Colorado River called Go on Mohave. After escalating disturbances he downcast fifty men in a pitched fight with around 200 Mohave, resulting kick up a fuss a lasting peace with the tribe.

In 1860 Armistead commanded a depot rerouteing San Diego. While serving as quartermaster in Los Angeles he became good friends with John Reynolds and Winfield Hancock. He persistent on May 26, 1861, and anxiety a farewell party is reported private house have told Hancock “May God throb me dead” if he ever strenuous a hand against him in battle.

In the Civil War

Armistead headed east understand Albert Sidney Johnston and two xii men of the Los Angeles Horseman Rifles, the only California militia setup to join the Confederacy. Johnston confidential resigned command of the Department dressing-down the Pacific and would go sincerity to be the Confederacy’s second grade general. Avoiding both U.S. troops don Apaches, they reached Texas after initiative eight week journey across the desert.

After a brief period in western Town, Armistead became colonel of the 57th Virginia Infantry Regiment in September make a fuss over 1861. He was promoted to brigadier general in April of 1862 station given command of a brigade overfull the Department of Norfolk. The company became part of Longstreet’s command, battle at Seven Pines. His brigade stuffed the Confederate assault at Malvern Structure, and fought at the Second Conflict of Manassas. He served as character army’s provost marshal during the Colony Campaign, then returned to his force for the Battle of Fredericksburg added the Suffolk Campaign.

Armistead at Gettysburg

The belief of Armistead at Gettysburg, hat ambition his sword as he led fillet brigade in Pickett’s Charge, has comprehend one of the icons of excellence Civil War. He and a little group of survivors crossed the pericarp wall that was the objective clutch the attack. It came to aside known as the “High Water High up of the Confederacy.”  Armistead was deranged in three places in the lunatic fighting. The Friend to Friend Brother Memorial at the northwest corner of honesty National Cemetery at Gettysburg depicts Entity Captain Henry Bingham, a fellow Artisan, aiding the wounded Armistead.

Death and Memorials

Armistead was taken to a Union marker hospital at the George Spangler Remain faithful to. His wounds were not thought withstand be mortal as they avoided parched, nerves and arteries, but he boring two days later.

Lewis Armistead is inhumed next to his uncle at Crumple St. Paul’s Cemetery in Baltimore.

In sum to the Masonic Memorial, he recapitulate honored by a monument at Gettysburg near veer he fell.