Francis Barlow

Blockaderunner

First Sergeant
Joined
Oct 25, 2006
Location
North Durham, England
I have been re-reading accounts of the Wilderness and Spotsylvannia, and the name of Barlow occurs again and again. Looking at a picture of Hancock and his Division commanders, I thought 'who is the youngster with them'. That was Barlow. It occured to me, how little I knew about him.
He had a quite remarkable career. Aged 27 at the outbreak of war, he enlisted as a private. Mustered out after three months, he re-enlisted and was a Lt. Col. by the end of 1861. In 1865 he ended his service as a Maj. Gen.
He became known in the Army of the Potomac for his unusual dress, often wearing a checked lumberjack shirt under his unbuttoned coat. He was also known for his dislike of straggling, and made great efforts to round up shirkers.
At Spotsylvannia, his division saw some of the worst fighting. Left isolated and alone south of the Po River, the division were attacked by superior forces and shelled from front and flank by several Confederate batteries. Barlow withdrew the division in good order and recieved commendation from Hancock for his calm handling of the situation. In the famous attack on the Mule Shoe salient, it was Barlows division who were chosen to lead the attack. This they did with great success. Capturing a large section of trench and almost 2000 Confederates.
For one so comparatively young, with no previous military service, Barlow must be one of the Union armies success stories. Unless someone can tell me otherwise (?)
 
The one thing about him that has always seemed ironic to me is his face. Look at most CW leaders pics and they look rough, mean piercing stares, but Barlow has that nice clean shaven baby face.

Mike T.
 
Boyish doesn't seem to be quite the right word for it, however, given his expression. He still looks very serious. (19th century cameras at work, possibly. Everyone looks serious, except J.E.B. Stuart and a couple others.)

In a way I'm not sure how to put in words, he looks Elvish. Young but without any of the immaturity of youth.
 
Dear BlockadeRunner,Ennsar and List Members;

There were plenty of individuals, that joined into Lincoln's Army and or Confederate Army that had not ever been a soldier; let alone an officer. So many were learning on their feet.

When some of these volunteer units were assembled; there were many cases where educated men had commissions offered them; e.g. Lt. Col. Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain, etc.

Some proved their metal and rose through the ranks rapidly as they produced results and were noticed. It also helped to have good commanding officers to tutor these volunteer officers and men.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
 
List of Privates to Generals (both sides)

Dear List Members;

A bit lenghty list of those who entered the Civil War as Privates to rise to the rank of General:

Union
Name ANDREWS, Christopher Columbus
Born October 27 1829, Hillsboro NH
Died September 21 1922, St Paul MN
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, Treasury clerk, writer, politician.
War Service 1861 Pvt., Capt. in 3rd Minnesota, captured in Tennessee, exchanged after 3 months, Lt. Col., August 1863 Col., Arkansas campaign, January 1864 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 2nd Divn/XIII Corps in Mobile campaign.
Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.V. March 9 1865.
Post War Career Politician, minister to Norway and Sweden, newspaper editor, census supervisor, consul general to Brazil, forest commissioner.
----------------------
Name BARTLETT, William Francis
Born June 6 1840, Haverhill MA
Died December 17 1876, Pittsfield MA
Pre-War Profession Student.
War Service 1861 Pvt., Capt. in 20th Massachusetts, Yorktown (w), Col. of 49th Massachusetts, Port Hudson (w), Col. of 57th Massachusetts, Wilderness (w), June 1864 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Crater (w,c), soon exchanged, commanded 1st Divn/IX Corps.
Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.V. March 13 1865.
Post War Career Associated with the Tredegar Iron Works.
Notes Lost a leg at Yorktown, and had to be on horseback in all battles after Port Hudson.
Further reading
Palfrey, Francis Winthrop Memoir of William Francis Bartlett Boston, Houghton, Osgood and Company, 1878
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Name BIDWELL, Daniel Davidson
Born August 12 1819, Buffalo NY
Died October 19 1864, Cedar Creek VA
Pre-War Profession Police justice.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 65th New York, October 1861 Col. of 49th New York, Peninsula campaign, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, commanded 3rd Bde/2nd Divn/VI Corps at Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, August 1864 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Shenandoah Valley campaign, Cedar Creek (mw).
Notes
-----------------------------------
Name BRISBIN, James Sanks
Born May 23 1837, Boalsburg PA
Died January 14 1892, Philadelphia PA
Pre-War Profession Teacher.
War Service 1861 Pvt., 2nd Lt. in 1st US Cavalry, First Bull Run (w), Peninsula campaign, Blue Ridge expedition, Beverly Ford, Gettysburg campaign, Red River campaign, Sabine Cross Roads (w), staff duty in Kentucky and Tennessee, May 1865 Brig. Gen. of Volunteers.
Brevet Promotions Brig. Gen. U.S.V. December 12 1864, Maj. Gen. U.S.V. March 13 1865.
Post War Career Army service in the cavalry, commanded a battalion in Gibbon's column in the Little Big Horn campaign, author.
--------------------------------
Name CHRYSLER, Morgan Henry
Born September 30 1822, Columbia Cty NY
Died August 24 1890, Kinderhook NY
Pre-War Profession Farmer
War Service 1861 Pvt., Capt. in 30th New York, Maj., Second Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Lt. Col., December 1863 Col. of 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry, Washington defenses, commanded 4th Bde/Cavalry Divn/XIII Corps in Red River campaign, Mobile, November 1865 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers.
Brevet Promotions Brig. Gen. U.S.V. January 23 1865, Maj. Gen. U.S.V. March 13 1865.
Post War Career Farmer
Notes An excellent citizen soldier.
----------------------------------
---------------------------------
Name CONNOR, Selden
Born January 25 1839, Fairfield ME
Died July 9 1917, Augusta ME
Pre-War Profession Student.
War Service May 1861 Pvt. in 1st Vermont, Big Bethel, Lt. Col. of 7th Maine, Peninsula campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg (w), Gettysburg, Col. of 19th Maine, Wilderness (w), incapacitated, June 1864 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, administrative duties.
Post War Career Internal revenue official, governor, pension agent.
Notes
----------------------------------
Name FAIRCHILD, Lucius
Born December 27 1831, Portage Cty OH
Died May 23 1896, Madison WI
Pre-War Profession Court clerk.
War Service April 1861 Pvt. in 1st Wisconsin, Capt., Falling Waters, Lt. Col. of 2nd Wisconsin, Second Bull Run, September 1862 Col., South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (w,c), October 1863 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, resigned November 1863.
Post War Career Governor of Wisconsin, consular and diplomatic posts.
-------------------------------------
Name HAMILTON, Schuyler
Born July 25 1822, New York NY
Died March 8 1903, New York NY
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1841, frontier duty, instructor at West Point, Mexican war, resigned 1855, farmer.
War Service April 1861 Pvt. in 7th New York National Guard, staff colonel in Scott's staff, assistant chief of staff to Halleck in St Louis, November 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 1stDivn at New Madrid and Island No 10, commanded 3rd Divn in advance on Corinth, contracted malaria and went on sick leave, September 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, resigned for health reasons February 1863.
Post War Career
Notes Brother in law of Henry Halleck.
------------------------------------------------
Name HARDING, Abner Clark
Born February 10 1807, East Hampton CT
Died July 19 1874, Monmouth IL
Pre-War Profession Businessman, lawyer, politician.
War Service 1862 Pvt. in 83rd Illinois, August 1862 Col., garrison duty at Fort Donelson in 1863, successfully defended it from an attack by Forrest and Wheeler, March 1863 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, June 1863 resigned due to poor eyesight.
Post War Career US congressman.
Notes
-----------------------
Name RICE, Elliott Warren
Born November 16 1835, Allegheny City PA
Died June 22 1887, Sioux City IA
Pre-War Profession Lawyer.
War Service July 1861 Pvt. in 7th Iowa, July 1861 Corp., Maj., Belmont (w), Ft Donelson, April 1862 Col., Shiloh, advance on Corinth, commanded post and district at Bethel TN, protected Memphis & Charleston Railroad, commanded 1st Bde/2nd Divn/XVI Corps in Atlanta campaign, June 1864 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers,
commanded 1st Bde/4th Divn/XV Corps in March to the Sea, Carolinas campaign, Bentonville.
Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.V. March 13 1865.
Post War Career Lawyer.
Notes Was wounded seven times during the War. Younger brother of Gen. Samuel A. Rice.
----------------------------------------------Name WELLS, William
Born December 14 1837, Waterbury VT
Died April 29 1892, New York NY
Pre-War Profession Merchant
War Service September 1861 Pvt. in 1st Vermont Cavalry, 1st Lt., Capt., Shenandoah Valley campaign, Second Bull Run, Maj., Gettysburg, Kilpatrick's Richmond raid, June 1864 Col., commanded 2nd Bde/3rd Divn/Cavalry Corps in Shenandoah Valley campaign, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Appomattox, May 1865 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers.
Brevet Promotions Brig. Gen. U.S.V. February 22 1865, Maj. Gen. U.S.V. March 13 1865.
Post War Career Adjutant General of Vermont, internal revenue collector, politician.
Notes
======================================
Confederates -
Name ALLEN, Henry Watkins
Born April 29 1820, Prince Edward Cty VA
Died April 22 1866, Mexico City
Pre-War Profession Teacher, fought for Texas independence, lawyer, planter, politician
War Service 1861 Pvt., Lt. Col. of 4th Louisiana, March 1862 Col., Shiloh (w), commanded the Louisiana Brigade at Baton Rouge (w), Brig. Gen. August 1863 and posted to Trans Mississippi , Governor of Louisiana 1864-65.
Post War Career Newspaper publisher
Notes A great war governor
Further reading
Cassidy, Vincent H Henry Watkins Allen of Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press 1964
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Name BAKER, Alpheus
Born May 28 1828, Abbeville District SC
Died October 2 1891, Louisville KY
Pre-War Profession Teacher, lawyer
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 1st Alabama, Capt., November 1861 Col. of 54th Alabama, Island No 10 (c), exchanged after 5 months, Vicksburg campaign (w), March 1864 Brig. Gen., commanded Baker’s Bde/Stewart’s Divn in Atlanta campaign, Resaca, Ezra C hurch (w), Carolinas campaign, Bentonville.
Post War Career Lawyer
Notes
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Name BARRY, John Decatur
Born June 21 1839, Wilmington NC
Died March 24 1867, Wilmington NC
Pre-War Profession
War Service Pvt in 18th North Carolina State Troops, Capt., Seven Days, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Maj., Chancellorsville, Col., Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor (w), August 1864 Brig. Gen., (not confirmed by Congress) commanded Lanes’ Bde (briefly).
Post War Career Newspaper editor
Notes
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CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
 
Name BATE, William Brimage
Born October 7 1826, Bledsoe's Lick TN
Died March 9 1905, Washington DC
Pre-War Profession Clerk, Mexican War, journalist, attorney, politician
War Service 1861 Pvt., Col. of 2nd Tennessee, Shiloh (w), October 1862 Brig. Gen., Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, February 1864 Maj. Gen., Dalton, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Greensboro.
Post War Career Lawyer, governor, US senator
Notes He was offered the governorship of Tennessee in 1863, but declined.
-----------------------------------
Name BRATTON, John
Born March 7 1831, Winnsboro SC
Died January 12 1898, Winnsboro SC
Pre-War Profession Physician
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 6th South Carolina, Capt., Fort Sumter, First Manassas, Col., Peninsula campaign, Seven Pines (w,c), exchanged several months later, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Richmond, Wilderness, May 1864 Brig. Gen., commanded Jenkins' Bde/Fields’ Divn at Petersburg, Appomattox.
Post War Career Farmer, politician
Notes
------------------------------------------------
Name BROWN, John Calvin
Born January 6 1827, Giles Cty TN
Died August 17 1889, Red Boiling Springs TN
Pre-War Profession Lawyer
War Service 1861 Pvt., May 1861 Col. of 3rd Tennessee, Fort Donelson (c), exchanged after 6 months, August 1862 Brig. Gen., Perryville Tullahoma, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, August 1864 Maj. Gen., commanded 3rd Divn at Franklin (w), Greensboro.
Post War Career Politician, governor of Tennessee, railroad president
Notes
-------------------------------------------------
Name CAMPBELL, Alexander William
Born June 4 1828, Nashville TN
Died June 13 1893, Jackson TN
Pre-War Profession Lawyer
War Service 1861 Pvt, Maj., 1861 Col. of 33rd Tennessee, Shiloh (w), served on Polk's staff, volunteer and conscript duty in Tennessee, captured in July 1863, exchanged February 1865 and given command of a brigade in Jackson’s Divn/Forrest's Corps, March 1865 Brig. Gen..
Post War Career Lawyer
Notes
----------------------------------------------------
Name CAMPBELL, Alexander William
Born June 4 1828, Nashville TN
Died June 13 1893, Jackson TN
Pre-War Profession Lawyer
War Service 1861 Pvt, Maj., 1861 Col. of 33rd Tennessee, Shiloh (w), served on Polk's staff, volunteer and conscript duty in Tennessee, captured in July 1863, exchanged February 1865 and given command of a brigade in Jackson’s Divn/Forrest's Corps, March 1865 Brig. Gen..
Post War Career Lawyer
Notes
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Name DIBRELL, George Gibbs
Born April 12 1822, Sparta TN
Died May 9 1888, Sparta TN
Pre-War Profession Merchant, politician
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 25th Tennessee, Lt. Col., Mill Springs, raised 8th Tennessee Cavalry under Forrest, Murfreesboro, Tullahoma campaign, Atlanta campaign, Savannah, January 1865 Brig. Gen., Carolinas, joined President Davis in his flight.
Post War Career Businessman, railroad president, US congressman.
Notes
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Name ECTOR, Matthew Duncan
Born February 28 1822, Putnam Cty GA
Died October 29 1879, Tyler TX
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, politician
War Service 1861 Pvt., brigade adjutant, 1862 Col. of 14th Texas Cavalry, August 1862 Brig. Gen., Bragg's invasion of Kentucky, Richmond KY, commanded 1st Bde/McCown’s Divn at Murfreesboro, Vicksburg campaign, Chickamauga, commanded Ector’s Bde/French’s Divn in Atlanta campaign (w), defense of Mobile (s).
Post War Career Lawyer, judge.
Notes
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Name FINLEY, Jesse Johnson
Born November 18 1812, Wilson Cty TN
Died November 6 1904, Lake City FL
Pre-War Profession Seminole war of 1836, lawyer, politician, judge.
War Service March 1862 Pvt. in 6th Florida, April 1862 Col., Kentucky campaign, Chickamauga, November 1863 Brig. Gen., commanded Finley’s Bde/Breckenridge’s Divn at Missionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, Resaca (w), Jonesboro (w), president of courts-martial.
Post War Career Lawyer, US congressman, refused seat as a senator on a technicality, judge.
Notes
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Name FORREST, Nathan Bedford
Born July 13 1821, Bedford Cty TN
Died October 29 1877, Memphis TN
Pre-War Profession Planter, slave dealer
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Confederate army, raised 7th Tennessee Cavalry, Lt. Col., Fort Donelson, Col. of 3rd Tennessee Cavalry, Shiloh (w), July 1862 Brig. Gen., raided communications in Tennessee, Chickamauga, December 1863 Maj. Gen., given independent command, Fort Pillow, Brice's Cross Roads, commanded cavalry in Hood's Franklin and Nashville campaign, February 1865 Lt. Gen., Selma.
Post War Career Planter, railroad president.
Notes The greatest cavalry leader of the War. Associated with the Ku Klux Klan for a time after the War.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Name GHOLSON, Samuel Jameson
Born May 19 1808, Madison Cty KY
Died October 16 1883, Aberdeen MS
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, politician, US congressman, judge.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Mississippi state forces, Maj., Col. of 14th Mississippi, Fort Donelson (w,s), exchanged, Iuka, Corinth, Maj. Gen. of state troops, May 1864 Brig. Gen., commanded a cavalry brigade in Dept. of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Egypt MS (w).
Post War Career Politician
Notes
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Name GORDON, James Byron
Born November 2 1822, Wilkesboro NC
Died May 18 1864, Richmond VA
Pre-War Profession Merchant, farmer, politician.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Wilkes Valley Guards, 1st Lt., Capt., Maj. in 1st North Carolina Cavalry, Lt. Col., July 1863 Col., September 1863 Brig. Gen., commanded North Carolina Cavalry Bde, Bristoe campaign, Sheridan's raid on Richmond (k).
Notes
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Name GRAY, Henry
Born January 19 1816, Laurens Dist. SC
Died December 11 1892, Coushatta LA
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, politician
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Mississippi state regiment, organized 28th Louisiana (at President Davis' request), May 1862 Col., Red River campaign, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, October 1864 elected to Confederate congress, March 1865 Brig. Gen. (over Kirby Smith's protests).
Post War Career Politician.
Notes Narrowly beaten by Judah Benjamin for a pre-war US senate seat.
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Name HODGE, George Baird
Born April 8 1828, Fleming Cty KY
Died August 1 1892, Longwood FL
Pre-War Profession US Naval Academy 1845, resigned 1850, lawyer, politician.
War Service 1861 Pvt in Confederate army, Confederate congressman, staff of Gen. Breckenridge, May 1863 Col., November 1863 appointed Brig. Gen. - not endorsed by Senate, commanded cavalry brigades under Wheeler and Forrest, August 1864 Brig. Gen. promotion resubmitted - not confirmed, commanded District of Southwest Mississippi and East Louisiana, charged with incompetence and cowardice - acquitted, relieved of command by Forrest.
Post War Career Lawyer, politician.
Notes
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Name JACKSON, William Lowther "Mudwall"
Born February 3 1825, Clarksburg WV
Died March 24 1890, Louisville KY
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, judge, politician, lieutenant governor of Virginia.
War Service 1861 Pvt., Col. of 31st Virginia, Western Virginia, staff of Gen. T J Jackson until Fredericksburg, recruited a regiment to operate in western Virginia, April 1863 Col. of 19th Virginia Cavalry, joined Jenkins' brigade in the Shenandoah Valley, commanded a brigade in Early's raid on Washington, Shenandoah Valley campaign, December 1864 Brig. Gen., refused to surrender at War's end.
Post War Career Went to Mexico, returned to West Virginia but was unable to practice law, moved to Kentucky, judge.
Notes Second cousin to Stonewall Jackson.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Name LOWRY, Robert
Born March 10 1830, Chesterfield Dist. SC
Died January 19 1910, Jackson MS
Pre-War Profession Merchant, lawyer, politician.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 6th Mississippi, Maj., Shiloh (w), May 1862 Col., Vicksburg campaign, Atlanta campaign, Franklin, commanded Adams’s Bde/Loring’s Divn at Nashville, February 1865 Brig. Gen., Bentonville.
Post War Career Politician, governor.
Notes
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Name MCCOMB, William
Born November 21 1828, Mercer Cty PA
Died July 21 1918, Louisa Cty VA
Pre-War Profession Manufacturer
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 14th Tennessee, May 1861 2nd Lt., Cheat Mountain, Maj., Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign, Seven Pines, Seven Days, Cedar Mountain, Lt. Col., Second Manassas, September 1862 Col., Sharpsburg (w), Chancellorsville (w), Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, commanded McComb’s Bde/Heth’s Divn at Petersburg, January 1865 Brig. Gen., Appomattox.
Post War Career Farmer.
Notes
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Name MCRAE, William
Born September 9 1834, Wilmington NC
Died February 11 1882, Augusta GA
Pre-War Profession Civil engineer.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Monroe Light Infantry, Capt. when it became part of 15th North Carolina, Lt. Col., Seven Days, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, February 1863 Col., service in North Carolina, Bristoe campaign, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, June 1864 Brig. Gen. (temporary - later confirmed), commanded McRae’s Bde/Heth’s Divn in Petersburg campaign, Appomattox.
Post War Career Railroad superintendent.
Notes
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Name MORGAN, John Tyler
Born June 20 1824, Athens TN
Died June 11 1907, Washington DC
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, politician.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Cahaba Rifles, 5th Alabama, Maj., Lt. Col., First Manassas, resigned commission, recruited 51st Alabama Partisan Rangers - Col., Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Knoxville campaign, November 1863 Brig. Gen., commanded Morgan’s Bde/Martin’s Divn in Atlanta campaign, March to the Sea, home defense in Alabama.
Post War Career Lawyer, US senator.
Notes Despite being a ****, his final assignment in the war was to raise black troops.
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Name PAYNE, William Henry Fitzhugh
Born January 27 1830, Fauquier Cty VA
Died March 29 1904, Washington DC
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, commonwealth attorney of Virginia.
War Service 1861 Pvt., occupation of Harper's Ferry, April 1861 Capt. in Black Horse Cavalry, Maj. in 4th Virginia Cavalry, Williamsburg (w,c), exchanged, Lt. Col. of 2nd North Carolina cavalry, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (w,c), imprisoned for nearly a year, commanded Payne’s Bde/Rosser’s Divn in Shenandoah Valley campaign, commanded Payne’s Bde/Lee’s Divn at Petersburg (w), captured while recuperating.
Post War Career Lawyer, politician.
Notes
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Name PECK, William Raine
Born January 31 1818, Jefferson Cty TN
Died January 22 1871, nr Vicksburg (but across the river)
Pre-War Profession Planter.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 9th Louisiana, First Manassas, Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign, Seven Days, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, October 1863 Col., Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Monocacy, February 1865 Brig. Gen., paroled at Vicksburg.
Post War Career Planter
Notes Although a large man, he was not wounded throughout the war.
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Name PERRY, William Flank
Born March 12 1823, Jackson Cty GA
Died December 18 1901, Bowling Green KY
Pre-War Profession Teacher, superintendent of education, college professor.
War Service 1862 Pvt. in 44th Alabama, Maj., Second Manassas, Lt. Col., Sharpsburg, September 1862 Col., Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, commanded Laws' Bde/Field’s Divn at Petersburg, February 1865 Brig. Gen., Appomattox.
Post War Career Planter, teacher, college professor.
Notes
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Name POLK, Lucius Eugene
Born July 10 1833, Salisbury NC
Died December 1 1892, Columbia TN
Pre-War Profession Planter.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Yell Rifles, later part of 15th Arkansas, 2nd Lt., Shiloh (w), April 1862 Col., Richmond KY (w), Perryville, December 1862 Brig. Gen., commanded 1st Bde/Cleburne's Divn at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, Kennesaw Mountain (w), resigned as unfit for duty.
Post War Career Politician.
Notes Nephew of Gen. Leonidas Polk.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Name RAINS, James Edward
Born April 10 1833, Nashville TN
Died December 31 1862, Murfreesboro TN
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, newspaper editor, US district attorney.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 11th Tennessee, May 1861 Col., Cumberland Gap, Kentucky campaign, November 1862 Brig. Gen., commanded 2nd Bde/McCown’s Divn at Murfreesboro (k).
Notes
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Name RANSOM, Matt Whitaker
Born October 8 1826, Warren Cty NC
Died October 8 1904, nr Garysburg NC
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, politician.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 1st North Carolina, Lt. Col., Peninsula campaign, Seven Days, Malvern Hill (w), April 1862 Col. of 35th North Carolina, in Ransom's (his younger brother's) brigade, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, June 1863 Brig. Gen. succeeding his brother in command of his brigade, Plymouth, Weldon, Suffolk, Petersburg, Second Drewry's Bluff (w), Fort Stedman, Five Forks, Appomattox.
Post War Career Lawyer, farmer, politician, US senator, minister to Mexico.
Notes
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
 
Name ROBERTS, William Paul
Born July 11 1841, Gates Cty NC
Died March 28 1910, Norfolk VA
Pre-War Profession
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 19th North Carolina (later 2nd North Carolina Cavalry), served in North Carolina, 1st Lt., Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Brandy Station, Capt., Maj., June 1864 Col., Petersburg campaign, February 1865 Brig. Gen., commanded Roberts’ Bde/W H F Lee’s Divn at Five Forks, Appomattox.
Post War Career Politician, state auditor.
Notes Youngest general in Confederate service.
----------------------------------------------------------
Name ROSS, Lawrence Sullivan “Sul”
Born September 27 1838, Bentonsport IA
Died January 3 1898, College Station TX
Pre-War Profession Indian fighter, Texas ranger.
War Service 1861 Pvt., Maj. in 6th Texas Cavalry, May 1862 Col., Corinth, December 1863 Brig. Gen., commanded a brigade under Wheeler, Atlanta campaign.
Post War Career Farmer, sheriff, politician, governor, college president.
Notes Regularly commended by his superiors.
Further reading
Benner, Judith Ann Sul Ross, soldier, statesman, educator College Station, Texas A&M University Press 1983
--------------------------------------------------
Name ST JOHN, Isaac Munroe
Born November 19 1827, Augusta GA
Died April 7 1880, White Sulphur Springs WV
Pre-War Profession Newspaperman, civil engineer.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in Fort Hill Guards, Magruder's chief engineer, February 1862 Capt., Maj., assigned to Niter and Mining Corps, Lt. Col., 1863 Col., February 1865 Brig. Gen. as commissary general.
Post War Career Civil engineer, railroad engineer.
Notes Performed well in keeping the Confederacy supplied with gunpowder and metals.
----------------------------------------------
Name SCALES, Alfred Moore
Born November 26 1827, Reidsville NC
Died February 8 1892, Greensboro NC
Pre-War Profession Lawyer, politician, US congressman.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 13th North Carolina, Capt., October 1861 Col., Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Days, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville (w), June 1863 Brig. Gen., commanded Pender's Bde/Pender's Divn at Gettysburg (w), Wilderness, Petersburg.
Post War Career Lawyer, politician, US congressman, governor of North Carolina.
Notes
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Name SEARS, Claudius Wistar
Born November 8 1817, Peru MA
Died February 15 1891, Oxford MS
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1841, resigned 1842, teacher, college professor.
War Service 1861 Pvt. 17th Mississippi, Capt., December 1862 Col. of 46th Mississippi, Chickasaw Bluffs, Vicksburg campaign, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg (s), March 1864 Brig. Gen., commanded Sears Bde/French’s Divn in Atlanta campaign, Allatoona, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville (w,c).
Post War Career College professor.
Notes
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Name TOON, Thomas Fentress
Born June 10 1840, Columbus Cty NC
Died February 19 1902, Raleigh NC
Pre-War Profession Student.
War Service May 1861 Pvt in Columbus Guards (became part of 20th North Carolina), 1st Lt., Capt., Seven Pines, Seven Days, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, February 1863 Col., Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, May 1864 Brig. Gen., commanded Toonís Bde/R D Johnston's Divn in Early's Washington raid, reverted to the rank of Colonel to command 20th North Carolina, Shenandoah Valley campaign, Petersburg, Fort Stedman (w), incapacitated.
Post War Career Superintendent of public instruction.
Notes
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Name TYLER, Robert Charles
Born c. 1833, Baltimore MD (?)
Died April 16 1865, West Point GA
Pre-War Profession Filibuster in central America.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 15th Tennessee, Belmont, Lt. Col., Shiloh, (w), May 1862 Col., provost marshal to Bragg in Kentucky invasion, Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, commanded Bate's brigade at Missionary Ridge (w), February 1864 Brig. Gen., command at West Point GA, killed during an attack by La Grange's troops.
Notes
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Name WALLACE, William Henry
Born March 24 1827, Laurens Dist. SC
Died March 21 1901, Union SC
Pre-War Profession Planter, newspaper publisher, lawyer, politician.
War Service 1861 Pvt. in 18th South Carolina, Lt. Col., Second Manassas, August 1862 Col., South Mountain, Sharpsburg, service in South Carolina, Petersburg, Crater, September 1864 Brig. Gen., commanded Wallace’s Bde/Johnson’s Divn, Appomattox.
Post War Career Lawyer, planter, politician, judge.
Notes

====================================================
As one can see; there was more than General Barlow who rose from Private to General.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
 
The one thing about him that has always seemed ironic to me is his face. Look at most CW leaders pics and they look rough, mean piercing stares, but Barlow has that nice clean shaven baby face.
In spite of his boyish look, Barlow was quite unpopular among soldiers, because of being a strict disciplinarian.
I've read that one of his characteristics was a sarcastic smile, so he probably looked more like a meschievous brat rather than a sweet child :smile:

As for his military achievements- I guess that his wife deserves credit. Arabella, whom Barlow married in 1861, served as a civil war nurse and she nursed him back to life from his serious wounds at Sharpsburg and Gettysburg. After she died of typhoid fever contracted while in attendance upon wounded soldiers, Francis was devastated and wasn't able to get back to his military duties.
 
Unionblue: Briefly, Barlow advanced his division (about twenty-three hundred men in both regiments) to a little knoll north of Gettysburg. Unfortunately, they were basically unsupported. Flanks in the air.

Along came Early, and he sent Gordon and his Georgia brigade to kick the snot out of, to use Lee's phrase, "those people". Gordon had about 1800 men. But he hit Barlow's men on their flank, and von Gilsa's brigade (the one struck first) wasn't exactly the best brigade in what wasn't exactly the best corps of the Army of the Potomac.

It shattered. So did the rest of Barlow's division.

Barlow was severely wounded attempting to rally his men, and his division was for all intents and purposes useless for the rest of the fight (though as weakened in numbers as it was...not even the strengh of a good sized brigade, its hardly surprising, regardless of fighting spirit.)

So, tactical goof here. I'm not sure if it was one of those "it made sense at the time." decisions or if Barlow should have guarded his flank better. But it was still a painful mistake.

As to Barlow being promoted from private to General...out of a thousand plus (the exact count escapes me at the moment) generals on both sides, its still remarkable. Well deserved, too. (Same with most if not all of those so promoted, though)
 
Allow me to shed some more light.

The original Pvt. (William) Clewell, for whom I take my avatar in his honor and memory, fought for the 153rd Pennsylvania in Von Gilsa's brigade, 1st (Barlow's) Division, so I have a dedicated interest in the 11th Corps.

I've always maintained that the 11th Corps was poorly led, especially at corps and division level. Further down the ranks, you'll find soldiers, many of them German immigrants, committed to the Union cause.

Only July 1, 1863, the 11th Corps was one of the smaller Union Corps, around 7,000 men, I believe, and held a line from Blocher's (now Barlow's) Knoll on the right to within 50 yards of the 1st Corps on the left, on a mostly exposed plain north of Gettysburg. The corps was clearly overextended. O.O. Howard had his headquarters at the Fahnstock building in Gettysburg, perfectly acceptable since he was briefly in command of both the 1st and 11th Corps at the time in the wake of Reynolds' death.

Whether Barlow should have advanced to the knoll is problematical. I've had it explained to me by a Gettysburg LBG that he was essentially the Sickles of the first day, although his move to the knoll, I think, was his option and did not disobey any standing orders.

During the 11th Corps deployment, the 45th New York on the left did good work helping the 1st Corps to repel O'Neal's attack. Barlow himself was concerned with Doles's division to his north and west. Shortly thereafter, Early and Gordon swoop down and flank Barlow on the right. Barlow simply had no more men to support him and was compelled to fall back. It's been argued that Barlow perhaps should have maintained a line closer to the Almshouse (then a complex of several buildings) or even into Gettysburg itself. Hindsight. The original intent of the 11th Corps' deployment was to support the 1st Corps.

I don't know about the other regiments in Von Gilsa's brigade, but the 153rd Pa. was a nine-month outfit whose enlistment actually expired before the battle of Gettysburg, if our LBG is to be believed. But because they were in their home state, the 153rd opted to stay and fight. That should tell you something about their dedication.

Barlow was given command of the division after Chancellorsville and it's clear that he did not care for the Germans (the so-called 'Flying Dutchmen') under his command. Very xenophobic of him. His men didn't much care for him, either.

This comes from the regimental history of the 153rd: "Soon after the debacle of Chancellorsville, Brigadier General Francis Channing Barlow had been placed in command of the 1st Division. General Howard hoped that Barlow, a strict disciplinarian, would be able to whip the men back into shape. Of all the officers that the 153rd Pennsylvania would ever serve under, from brigade commander to army commander, none would earn its hatred more than Francis Barlow."

And this comes from 'Ten Months with the 153rd Penn's Volunteers', 1863, by William Simmers and Paul Bachschmd: "Billy Barlow continued the scourge of the division; until a chance bullet at Gettysburg lowered the petty tyrant from his exalted position, and freed the division of his presence. The short reign of this individual forms an epoch in our (regimental) history, which will never be forgotten by those who had the misfortune to serve under him."

So how did they perform? In their 'Gettysburg Battlefield Guide', Brooks Simpson and Mark Grimsley write: "After a sharp firefight, Gordon's men finally overran the knoll. 'We had a hard time moving them,' recalled one Georgia private."

And later, they write: "Barlow's decision to post his right flank on this knoll is a good example of the need to evaluate the usefulness of terrain in context of the larger situation. It might seem logical to want to seize the high ground whenever possible, but in this case Barlow's initiative proved a mistake. His advance caused Schurz to realign his entire position so the two divisions could maintain contact. They thus came under artillery fire from the cannon stationed just north of Rock Creek. Although Union cavalry previously had reported Early' approach, Barlow did not take that information into account; in turn, Gordon used the woods north of the knoll to shield his advance from view, enabling him to approach the knoll without coming under fire."

And you gotta love Barlow for this:

"In later years, Barlow would defend his decision, argue that Gordon did not outflank him, and blame his soldiers for giving way — a most damaging charge, as the brigade posted on this knoll, under the command of Col. Leopold Von Gilsa, had crumbled under the impact of Stonewall Jackson's flank attack at Chancellorsville on May 2. In light of the Georga private's observation that the Federals conducted an orderly retreat and that they were 'harder to drive than we had ever known them before,' Barlow's charge rings false, failing to conceal his own responsibility for what happened that afternoon. In truth, the converging columns of Early's division with its superior numbers meant sooner or later the 11th Corps would have to retreat south."
 
Well said. I do think that XI Corps was a fairly mediocore outfit, but I agree with your reason for it. Barlow's xenophobia (or simply intolerance of anything not measuring up period, there seems to be a bit of both) did not lead to inspiring his men here.

As to the other regiments, the other seven (six at the knoll, the 41st New York is temporarlly absent and would rejoin that evening) are three year units, if memory serves, though the 17th Connecticut (Ames's brigade) is as green as the 153rd Pennsylvania.

Corps numbers (according to Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage): 9,221. XII Corps is only slightly larger (9,788)

As to Barlow being a tyrant...I don't doubt that he'd make an excellent commissar (Soviet or Warhammer 40,000). But I'm not entirely sure that was a bad choice. For reasons within and outside its control, XI Corps did perform badly at Chancellorsville (as a corps, individuals and individual units put up a tenacious fight).

Irony: The fact many of its casualties are "captured" is held against it. If they were as good at running (rather than holding) as they're considered...that doesn't sound like it would happen.

One must be leery of taking Official Written By the Members Histories too seriously...looking at the 16th Connecticut (which performed terribly at Antietam, not without reason...it was green as grass and undertrained) for instance, everyone tries to put the best foot forward.

Still, they must have done better than Barlow gave them credit for if the Georgians (with no stake in praising them beyond their dues) would say they were "hard to drive".
 
Corps numbers (according to Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage): 9,221. XII Corps is only slightly larger (9,788)

———

One must be leery of taking Official Written By the Members Histories too seriously...looking at the 16th Connecticut (which performed terribly at Antietam, not without reason...it was green as grass and undertrained) for instance, everyone tries to put the best foot forward.

Still, they must have done better than Barlow gave them credit for if the Georgians (with no stake in praising them beyond their dues) would say they were "hard to drive".

I clearly underguessed the size of the corps, but the small figure I gave was in the back of my mind for a reason, and I think I know why. Take the figure you give and subtract 900-1000 men because Orland Smith's brigade was posted on Cemetery Hill in reserve. That gives the 11th Corps a little over 8,000 men covering a wide front. Of course, we'll never know how many men were sent to the rear for a lack of shoes. :smile:

I also suspect unit histories, to a point. But they are still mostly first-hand accounts and worth something. In the example I gave, it was to illustrate that many men in the 153rd PA, at least, despised Barlow, and the ill feeling seems to ring true.

Why Barlow would be a bad thing is his apparent distrust, dislike and disregard, especially for his Germans. Tough to establish espirit d'corps that way, I think. And if a commander distrusts his own men, who does he trust? In my opinion, Barlow was just a bad fit for this division.
 
Agreed. On Barlow in particular...definately. Even if Barlow was a good choice in theory (a tough disciplinarian and a good combat leader), he was a square peg in a round hole. I can't entirely blame him for his prejudices (the "d--- Dutch" did do poorly, though that can be placed on the shoulders of the officers, not the fighting men.), but they grated. And leaders who rub people the wrong way don't do well.
 
Some interesting items about Francis Barlow:

His second wife Ellen was the sister of Robert Gould Shaw, of 54th Massachusetts fame.

His friend Winslow Homer used him as the model for the Union officer in the famous painting, "Prisoners From the Front." There's a tribute to this painting in the movie "Gettysburg," where Tom Chamberlain is talking to the Confederate prisoners about their "rats." See the picture here: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/homr/ho_22.207.htm

And my pal Dave's GGgrandfather served under Barlow in the 61st New York.

Zou
 
Not Average..

Let's add some filler in on Barlow, he was not your "Average Joe" as the impression get from some of these post.

He went to Harvard and was first in his class. He did enter the army as an Noncom but within a month was a 2nd LT..

He had a remarkable career after the war in the state of NY.


Just some filler...
 
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