{⋆★⋆} BG Archer, James J.

James Jay Archer

General Archer 1.jpg

:CSA1stNat:

Born: December 19, 1817

Birthplace: Stafford, Havre de Grace, Maryland

Father: Dr. John Archer 1777 – 1850
(Buried: Stump Cemetery, Harford County, Maryland)​

Mother: Ann Stump 1786 – 1867
(Buried: Stump Cemetery, Harford County, Maryland)​

Education:

1835: Graduated from Princeton University​
Attended Bacon College in Georgetown, Kentucky​

Occupation before war:

1846 – 1848: Served in the United States Army​
1848 – 1855: Attorney in Maryland​
1855 – 1861: Served in 9th United States Infantry, rising to Captain​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1862: Colonel of 5th Texas Infantry​
1862: Participated in the Peninsula Campaign​
1862 – 1864: Brigadier General in the Confederate Army Infantry​
1862: Participated in the Seven Days Campaign​
1862: Participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run​
1862: Participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg​
1863: Participated in the Battle of Chancellorsville​
1863: Captured during the Battle of Gettysburg​
General Archer.jpg
1863 – 1864:
Imprisoned at Johnson's Island Prisoner of War camp​
1864: Imprisoned at Fort Delaware​
1864: Participated briefly in the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia​
1864: Participated in the battle of Peebles Farm​

Died:
October 24, 1864

Place of Death: Richmond, Virginia

Cause of Death: Wounds and imprisonment sickness

Age at time of Death: 46 years old

Burial Place: Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Archer received a law degree (LL.B.) from the University of Maryland (see General Catalogue of Princeton University, 1746-1906, published by the University, Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 1908, p. 147). He was a captain of infantry in the Mexican War, winning a brevet to major for gallantry displayed at Chapultepec on September 13, 1847. His Civil War letters reside at the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore.

Captain Robert Harris “Bob” Archer, his brother, served as brigade Assistant Adjutant General, and was also captured at Gettysburg.
 
While Colonel, Archer led the 5th Texas in the Texas Brigade. After being promoted to brigadier he led some Tennessee regiments that were brigaded together and had been Robert Hatton's brigade until he was killed at Seven Pines.This Regiment dubbed him "the Little Gamecock"due to his slight build and fighting attitude in battle.
 
It was his regiment that made up part of the forced march from Harper's Ferry to Sharpsburg.This was the Tennessee Brigade in A.P.Hill's Division. Archer was said to be so ill that he directed from an ambulance.Once it arrived in Sharpsburg Archer was too sick to command so it was turned over to it's colonel.
 
Back
Top