CSA bios: Wise, Winder, Winder, Wilson, Williams Wilcox

[Battleline]

Henry A. Wise, CSA (b. 1806 d. 1876) Born in Drumondtown, Va., Henry Alexander Wise graduated from Washington (Penn.) College in 1825. For two years, he was a Nashville, Tenn. lawyer, before returning to Virginia. An aggressive supporter of states’ rights, he was elected to Congress in 1833 as a Jacksonian Democrat, but later became a Whig. He was offered a Navy portfolio by President Tyler and was rejected by the Senate as minister to France. He was made minister to Brazil from 1844-47. He changed back to the Democrat party, supporting Pierce and Buchanan for president. He was elected governor of Virginia from 1856-60. Despite the lack of military training, at the outbreak of hostilities, Wise was appointed brigadier general June 5, 1861. The Wise Legion and other troops fought under his command in the West Virginia Campaign (led by Robert E. Lee) and in North Carolina (under P.G.T. Beauregard). The Legion defended Charleston, S.C., and fought in Florida. From May 1864, Wise and his troops were on the Petersburg lines, at Drewry’s Bluff and in the command of Richard H. Anderson while defending Richmond. After the Battle of Sayler’s Creek, two days before the surrender, Gen. Lee gave Wise division command, though he was never formally appointed major general. After the war, the brother-in-law of Union Maj. Gen. George G. Meade wrote Seven Decades of the Union, which was published in 872. He died in Richmond Sept. 12, 1876.

John H. Winder, CSA (b. 1800 d. 1865) John Henry Winder was born Feb. 21, 1800 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with the Class of 1820. He served as a instructor of tactics there and one of his students was Jefferson Davis. He resigned his commission in 1823, but was reappointed to the army in 1827. During the Mexican War, he received brevets to major and lieutenant colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct. He resigned his commission as major, 3rd Artillery, April 27, 1861. He was commissioned a brigadier general in the Provisional Confederate Army June 21, 1861, and made provost marshal of Richmond. His responsibilities includes overseeing prison camps, rounding up deserters and the maintenance and order of the city. He also fixed commodity prices within Richmond. He was made commissary general of prisoners east of the Mississippi Nov. 21, 1864. His job was made more difficult by the refusal of Federal officials to exchange prisoners. Burdened with his difficult duties, Winder died in Florence, S.C., Feb. 7, 1865.

Charles S. Winder, CSA (b. 1829 d. 1862) Winder was an 1850 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Hailing from Talbot County, Md., Winder faced his first real test against Mother Nature. On the way to Panama on a troop ship in 1854, Winder showed heroism in the midst of a hurricane and received a promotion to captain March 3, 1855. At 25, he was then said to be the youngest in his grade in the army. He remained in the army until April 1, 1861, and was appointed major of artillery in the Regular Confederate Army with the date made March 16, 1861. He participated in the siege of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor and after that was made colonel of the Sixth South Carolina Infantry (July 8, 1861). His regiment was in the area during First Manassas, but reached the battleground too late to see an active role. He was promoted brigadier general in the Provisional Confederate Army March 1, 1862 and assigned to what later became the “Stonewall Brigade” in T.J. Jackson’s division. He led the Virginia regiments through Jackson’s Valley Campaign of 1862. At the Seven Days Campaign, Winder played a major role in the attack at Gaines’ Mill. Prior to Second Manassas, Winder was commanding Jackson’s Division (while Stonewall was handling a corps) and was fatally wounded by a shell during the Battle of Cedar Mountain Aug. 9, 1862, finally passing a few hours later. In official reports, both Jackson and Robert E. Lee lamented his passing.

Claudius C. Wilson, CSA (b. 1831 d. 1863) Claudius Charles Wilson was born in Effingham County, Ga., Oct. 1, 1831. He graduated from Emory College in Oxford, Ga., in 1851 and read law. He was admitted to the Savannah bar in 1852 and elected solicitor-general for the eastern circuit of Georgia. He resigned in 1860 and joined the Confederate Army as captain of Company I, 25th Georgia Infantry at the outbreak of war. He was elected lieutenant colonel of the regiment Sept. 2, 1861. After serving at locations along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts, the 25th Georgia was attached to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s forces in the Vicksburg Campaign. Sent to Georgia, Wilson commanded a brigade at the Battle of Chickamauga in the reserve corps of W.H.T. Walker. He was recommended for promotion to brigadier general, but died of camp fever at Ringgold, Ga., Nov. 27, 1863. He was confirmed as a brigadier general posthumously by the Confederate Senate Feb. 17, 1864.

John S. Williams, CSA (b. 1818 d. 1898) “Cerro Gordo” Wiliams was born near Mount Sterling, Ky., July 10, 1818 and graduated from Miami (Ohio) University with the Class of 1839. He earned bar admission and opened practice in Paris, Ky. During the Mexican War, Williams joined the army and was a captain of an independent company attached to the 6th U.S. Infantry. Later, he became a colonel of Kentucky volunteers.. His earned his nickname for his conduct at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. After the war, he became a member of the Kentucky legislature in 1851. Originally against secession, Williams changed his stance due to his feelings of an overbearing Federal government. He joined the Confederate Army as a colonel with the Fifth Kentucky Infantry Nov. 16, 1861. He was advanced to brigadier general April 16, 1862. His unit served in eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia under Humphery Marshall. When Marshall resigned, Williams advanced to command the Department of East Tennessee in 1863, opposing Burnside’s advance on Knoxville. Relieved at his own request, he continued to command units in the area and played a key role in defeating a Federal attack on the Abingdon, Va., salt works. In 1864, his unit joined the command of Gen. Joseph Wheeler, but became separated from the main unit during a raid into Tennessee in August 1864. He again moved to southwestern Virginia, fighting there until the end of the war. He became a Kentucky farmer after the war but was elected to the state legislature again in 1873 and 1875. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1875, but won election to the U.S. Senate in 1878. His bid for a second term ended in defeat and he returned to farming. Williams died July 17, 1898 at Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

Cadmus M. Wilcox, CSA (b. 1824 d. 1890) Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox was born May 29, 1824, in Wayne County, N.C. Growing up in Tennessee, Wilcox received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1842. He graduated with the Class of 1846 and received his commission. In the Mexican War, Wilcox was breveted first lieutenant for his conduct at Chapultepec. He published “Rifles and Rifle Practice” in 1859. He resigned his U.S. commission June 8, 1861, joining the Ninth Alabama Infantry as its colonel. After fighting at First Manassas, Wilcox was elevated to brigadier general Oct. 21, 1861. From that time forward, Wilcox was at just about every major battle of the Army of Northern Virginia. After the Battle of Gettysburg, he was promoted to major general (Aug. 3, 1863) and took command of the division previously under Pender. He led the defense of Fort Gregg at the Petersburg lines, holding long enough to allow Longstreet’s command to cover the retreat. After the war, Wilcox settled in Washington, D.C. President Grover Cleveland appointed him chief of the railroad division of the Land Office. He held that post until his death Dec. 2, 1890. He was so esteemed by those of the North as well as the South that four pallbearers at his funeral were former U.S. Army generals and the other four were former Confederate Army generals.

[Gil R.]

Thanks! Do you need more, or are you still just taking generals whose names are in the WXYZ's?

[Battleline]

Gil,
I'm just working my way back through the list in Generals in Gray until I hear otherwise. I would be happy to jump into the list elsewhere if that more helpful.
Thanks,
Battleline

[Gil R.]

No, that's fine, I'm assigning from the top of the alphabetical list, and we're quite a way away from driving in that golden spike where we meet.

Do note, though, that Z. Tower was assigned to Twotribes, but otherwise every TUVWXYZ general is free. Also, remember that Gens. Wheeler and Van Dorn are both 100-percenters and Gen. Warren is a 25-percenter, so you might want to write more about them if you opt to volunteer for their bios. (Which reminds me: Zollicoffer, whom you already did, is a 25-percenter as well, so I'm wondering if you want to expand your bio a bit. My thinking is that the more important generals should get lengthier treatments.)

Thanks!

[Battleline]

Gil,
I can readdress Zollicoffer. I've found some additional information on him from other sources. I've actually written back to Joe Wheeler and I'm looking for some additional information on him as he deserves a lengthy bio.
I usually hit these between work projects, or when my sources are slow to get back with me.
Tower shouldn't be any trouble to avoid. As of right now (or at least until I can locate a copy of Generals in Blue) I'm sticking to the CSA generals.
Van Dorn is 20 away, but when I get there, I will make sure to give him a bigger bio as well.
Please let me know what I can do to help out.
Thanks,
Battleline

[Gil R.]

Wise required few changes. I did add some ratings:

Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise (b. 1806, d. 1876). Born in Drumondtown, Va., Henry Alexander Wise graduated from Washington (Penn.) College in 1825. For two years, he was a Nashville lawyer, before returning to Virginia. An aggressive supporter of states’ rights, he was elected to Congress in 1833 as a Jacksonian Democrat, but later became a Whig. He was offered a Navy portfolio by President Tyler and was rejected by the Senate as minister to France. He was made minister to Brazil from 1844-47. He changed back to the Democrat party, supporting Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan for president. He was elected governor of Virginia from 1856-60. Despite the lack of military training, at the outbreak of hostilities, Wise was appointed Brigadier General on June 5, 1861. The Wise Legion and other troops fought under his command in the West Virginia Campaign (led by Gen. Robert E. Lee) and in North Carolina (under Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard). The Legion defended Charleston, S.C., and fought in Florida. From May 1864, Wise and his troops were on the Petersburg lines, at Drewry’s Bluff and in the command of Gen. Richard H. Anderson while defending Richmond. After the Battle of Sayler’s Creek, two days before the surrender, Gen. Lee gave Wise a division command, though he was never formally appointed major general. After the war, the brother-in-law of Union Maj. Gen. George G. Meade wrote “Seven Decades of the Union,” which was published in 872. He died in Richmond Sept. 12, 1876.


Leadership: 4
Tactics: 2
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry:

[Gil R.]

I don't think I changed anything for Winder, other than giving him ratings (which take into account the fact that he taught tactics):

Brig. Gen. John H. Winder, CSA (b. 1800, d. 1865). John Henry Winder was born Feb. 21, 1800 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with the Class of 1820. He served as an instructor of tactics there and one of his students was Jefferson Davis. He resigned his commission in 1823, but was reappointed to the army in 1827. During the Mexican War, he received brevets to Major and Lieutenant Colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct. He resigned his commission as <ajor, 3rd Artillery, April 27, 1861. He was commissioned a Brigadier General in the Provisional Confederate Army June 21, 1861, and made provost marshal of Richmond. His responsibilities includes overseeing prison camps, rounding up deserters and the maintenance and order of the city. He also fixed commodity prices within Richmond. He was made commissary general of prisoners east of the Mississippi Nov. 21, 1864. His job was made more difficult by the refusal of Federal officials to exchange prisoners. Burdened with his difficult duties, Winder died in Florence, S.C., Feb. 7, 1865.


Leadership: 3
Tactics: 6
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry:

[Gil R.]

And the other Winder:

Brig. Gen. Charles S. Winder (b. 1829, d. 1862). Winder was an 1850 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Hailing from Talbot County, Maryland, Winder faced his first real test against Mother Nature. On the way to Panama on a troop ship in 1854, Winder showed heroism in the midst of a hurricane and received a promotion to Captain March 3, 1855. At age 25, he was said to be the youngest in his grade in the army. He remained in the army until April 1, 1861, when he resigned an was appointed major of artillery in the Regular Confederate Army effective March 16, 1861. He participated in the siege of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor and after that was made Colonel of the Sixth South Carolina Infantry (July 8, 1861). His regiment was in the area during First Manassas, but reached the battleground too late to see an active role. He was promoted Brigadier General in the Provisional Confederate Army on March 1, 1862 and assigned to what later became the “Stonewall Brigade” in Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s division. He led the Virginia regiments through Jackson’s Valley Campaign of 1862. During the Seven Days Campaign, Winder played a major role in the attack at Gaines’ Mill. Prior to Second Manassas, Winder was commanding Jackson’s Division (while Stonewall himself was handling a corps) and was fatally wounded by a shell during the Battle of Cedar Mountain on Aug. 9, 1862, finally passing a few hours later. In official reports, both Jackson and Robert E. Lee lamented his passing.

Leadership: 5
Tactics: 4
Initiative: 3
Command: 4
Cavalry:

Teaches: Independent (9)

[Gil R.]

And Wilson:

Brig. Gen. Claudius Charles Wilson, CSA (b. 1831 d. 1863). Wilson was born in Effingham County, Georgia, on Oct. 1, 1831. He graduated from Emory College in Oxford, Ga., in 1851 and read law. He was admitted to the Savannah bar in 1852 and elected solicitor-general for the eastern circuit of Georgia. He resigned in 1860 and joined the Confederate Army as Captain of Company I, 25th Georgia Infantry at the outbreak of war. Wilson was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment Sept. 2, 1861. After serving at locations along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts, the 25th Georgia was attached to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s forces in the Vicksburg Campaign. Sent to Georgia, Wilson commanded a brigade at the Battle of Chickamauga in the reserve corps of Gen. W.H.T. Walker. He was recommended for promotion to Brigadier General, but died of camp fever at Ringgold, Ga., Nov. 27, 1863. He was confirmed as a brigadier general posthumously by the Confederate Senate on Feb. 17, 1864.

Leadership: 3
Tactics: 3
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry:


Teaches: Swampwise (12)

[Gil R.]

And Williams:

Brig. Gen. John S. Williams (b. 1818, d. 1898). “Cerro Gordo” Williams was born near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, on July 10, 1818 and graduated from Miami (Ohio) University with the Class of 1839. He earned bar admission and opened a law practice in Paris, Kentucky. During the Mexican War, Williams joined the army and was a captain of an independent company attached to the 6th U.S. Infantry. Later, he became a colonel of Kentucky volunteers. His earned his nickname for his conduct at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. After his first war, he became a member of the Kentucky legislature in 1851. Originally opposed to secession, Williams changed his stance due to his feelings regarding what he perceived as an overbearing Federal government. He joined the Confederate Army as a Colonel with the Fifth Kentucky Infantry on Nov. 16, 1861, and was advanced to Brigadier General on April 16 of the following year. His unit served in eastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia under Gen. Humphrey Marshall. When Marshall resigned, Williams advanced to command the Department of East Tennessee in 1863, opposing Burnside’s advance on Knoxville. Relieved at his own request, he continued to command units in the area and played a key role in defeating a Federal attack on the Abingdon, Virginia, salt works. In 1864, Williams’ unit joined the command of Gen. Joseph Wheeler, but became separated from the main unit during a raid into Tennessee in August 1864. He again moved to southwestern Virginia, fighting there until the end of the war. He became a Kentucky farmer after the war but was elected to the state legislature again in 1873 and 1875. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1875, but won election to the U.S. Senate in 1878. His bid for a second term ended in defeat and he returned to farming. Williams died July 17, 1898 at Mount Sterling, Kentucky.


Leadership: 4
Tactics: 4
Initiative: 3
Command: 4
Cavalry:

[Battleline]

For the Wise bio, I only see one small thing and that's that his book was published in 1872, instead of 872, which was in my original text, so it's my bad there! Funny how spellcheck doesn't find those mistakes!
Battleline

[Battleline]

Gil,
In the John Winder bio, we have the following:
He resigned his commission as <ajor, 3rd
I believe that should be major.
Just the editor in me coming through!
Thanks,
Battleline

[Gil R.]

And here's Wilcox. Note that, based on a decision Eric and I just reached, some generals will get random special abilities to teach, so that each time one gets them they'll have something different. So popular a chap as Wilcox seemed worthy of having added value, simply for that pallbearers anecdote.


Maj. Gen. Cadmus Marcells Wilcox (b. 1824, d. 1890). Wilcox was born May 29, 1824, in Wayne County, N.C. Growing up in Tennessee, Wilcox received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1842. He graduated with the Class of 1846 and received his commission. In the Mexican War, Wilcox was brevetted first lieutenant for his conduct at Chapultepec. He published “Rifles and Rifle Practice” in 1859. Wilcox resigned his U.S. Army commission on June 8, 1861, joining the Ninth Alabama Infantry as its colonel. After fighting at First Manassas, Wilcox was elevated to Brigadier General Oct. 21, 1861. From that time forward, Wilcox was at nearly every major battle of the Army of Northern Virginia. After the Battle of Gettysburg, he was promoted to major general on Aug. 3, 1863, and took command of the division previously under Gen. William D. Pender. He led the defense of Fort Gregg at the Petersburg lines, holding out long enough to allow Gen. James Longstreet’s command to cover the retreat. After the war, Wilcox settled in Washington, D.C., and Pres. Grover Cleveland later appointed him chief of the railroad division of the Land Office. He held that post until his death Dec. 2, 1890. He was so esteemed by those of the North as well as the South that four pallbearers at his funeral were former U.S. Army generals and the other four were former Confederate Army generals.


Leadership: 4
Tactics: 4
Initiative: 3
Command: 4
Cavalry:

Teaches: Random (-1)