The Other Regulars

[Major James B. Ronan II]

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James Madison Robertson​

During the the 19th century, about 25 percent of officers in the regular army were appointed from civil life or commissioned from the ranks.

James Madison Robertson was born in New Hampshire and enlisted in 1838. He served in the 2nd Artillery as private, corporal and quartermaster sergeant and was commissioned in the 2nd in 1848 after serving in the Mexican War. He continued to serve in the 2nd Artillery and was promoted to captain in 1861.

He commanded composite Battery B & L, 2nd Artillery during the Peninsula Campaign and was brevetted major for Gaines Mill, lt. col. for Gettysburg, colonel for Cold Harbor and brig. Gen. for meritorious service while Chief of Horse Artillery in the Army of the Potomac.

Because the five regiment artillery structure of the regular army artillery branch in the 1860s did not provide for higher rank, as did the infantry and cavalry, Madison commanded a brigade of horse artillery in his brevet rank from 1863. At war's end his lineal rank was still captain.

Madison was promoted to major in 1874 and transferred to the 3rd Artillery, retiring in 1879. He died in 1891.

Major James B. Ronan II is a fellow of the Company of Military Historians http://www.military-historians.org/