CSA Bios: Zollicoffer, WH Young, PMB Young, York - 12/7/2006 11:09:21 PM
|
|
|
Battleline
Posts: 426
Joined: 10/5/2006 Status: offline
|
Ezra J. Warner’s Generals in Gray is an excellent bio source for Confederate generals. There’s even a section on the provisional generals of the Trans-Mississippi Department who did not receive the presidential appointment. Felix K. Zollicoffer, CSA (b. 1812 d. 1862) Born in Maury County, Tenn., Zollicoffer worked for a newspaper in Paris, Tenn., at the age of 16. First military action came during the Seminole uprising of 1836, serving as a lieutenant of volunteers. Returning, he advanced in the fields of journalism and politics. He served as adjutant general and state comptroller of Tennessee (1845-49) and state senator (1849-52). Elected to Congress in 1852 while helping the Tennessee presidential campaign of Gen. Winfield Scott. Served three terms in the House of Representatives and declined to run in 1860. Supported the Bell-Everett ticket in the 1860 election. Commissioned as a brigadier general in the Provisional Confederate States Army July 9, 1861. Assigned to the eastern part of Tennessee, which had strong Union sentiment. Moved his unit to the Kentucky side of the Cumberland River before his immediate superior, Gen. George B. Crittenden, arrived. Crittenden’s Confederates were forced to face Federal forces of George H. Thomas with their backs to the river. In the Battle of Mill Springs (Fishing Creek), Zollicoffer was killed by a Union volley after he accidentally rode into the Union lines. Sources (Generals in Gray) cite that his political prowess was much better than his military strategy. William H. Young, CSA (b. 1838 d. 1901) Born in Boonville, Mo., Young’s family moved to Texas while he was an infant. Attended Washington College in Tennessee, McKenzie College, Texas, and the University of Virginia. Back in Texas, recruited a company for service in the Confederate army and was elected captain. His unit was incorporated into the Ninth Texas Infantry Regiment, which was bloodied at the Battle of Shiloh. He subsequently fought in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro (Stone River), Vicksburg Campaign and Chickamauga. He was wounded at Murfreesboro, Vicksburg and Chickamauga. In the Atlanta Campaign, Ninth Texas was assigned to the brigade of M.D. Ector. At Kennesaw Mountain, Young was twice wounded, but stayed in charge and was elevated to brigadier general when Ector was incapacitated. His promotion was effective Aug. 15, 1864. During the Confederate move back into Tennessee, Young was seriously wounded in his left foot (the wound alone nearly severed the foot) attacking a Union fort at Allatoona, Ga., and he was captured. Imprisoned at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, Young was released July 24, 1865. After the war, he was a lawyer and real estate operator in San Antonio, Texas, until his death. Pierce M.B. Young, CSA (b. 1836 d. 1896) Born in Spartanburg, S.C., Young’s family moved when he was a boy to Bartow County, Ga. Initial military training took place at the Georgia Military Institute. He was appointed to West Point in 1857, but resigned from the U.S. Military Academy a few months before graduation when Georgia seceded. Joining Cobb’s Legion, Young rapidly rose to lieutenant colonel in cavalry. Commissioned colonel Nov. 1, 1862. Cited for “remarkable gallantry” during the Maryland Campaign while attached to Wade Hampton’s brigade in Stuart’s Cavalry Corps. Promoted to brigadier general Sept. 28, 1863. Commanded a Hampton’s former division during part of 1864 before being sent to Augusta, Ga., to recruit and organize the city’s defenses. Received temporary promotion to major general Dec. 30, 1864, and harassed Sherman’s advance through the Carolinas. After the war, Young became politically active and served five terms (or parts of terms) in Congress as a Democrat. He was thrice a delegate to Democrat national conventions. He held several consular posts from both Democrat and Republican administrations. Died July 6, 1896 in New York and is buried near his old plantation in Georgia. Zebulon York, CSA (b. 1819 d. 1900) Born in Avon, Maine, York attended Wesleyan Seminary (Kent’s Hill, Maine), Transylvania University (Kentucky) and the University of Louisiana (now Tulane), graduating with a law degree. He made his home in Vidalia, La., becoming a prominent attorney and cotton planter. At the outbreak of the Civil War, York and his partner were reported to own six plantations with 1,700 slaves and an annual production of 4,500 bales of cotton. Organized a company of infantry which was incorporated into the 14th Louisiana Regiment. He was elected major, lieutenant colonel and colonel. Fought in the Peninsular and Seven Days campaigns. Then fought at Second Manassas, Maryland Campaign and Fredericksburg. Returned to Louisiana on a recruiting assignment and missed Chancellorsville, but was at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was promoted to brigadier general May 31, 1864, with what was left of what had been the brigades of Hays and Stafford. His unit participated in Early’s Valley Campaign. While leading his unit in the Third Battle of Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864, he was hit in his left arm badly enough that it had to be amputated. After his recovery, he recruited for his brigade among foreign-born prisoners of war. The war financially ruined York, but he recovered and later ran the York House in Natchez, Miss., where he died Aug. 5, 1900.
|
|
|