CSA Bio: Earl Van Dorn

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA (b. 1820 d. 1863) Earl Van Dorn held commands in three different theaters during his brief Confederate service period. Van Dorn was born at Port Gibson, Miss., Sept. 17, 1820. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the Class of 1842. He was 52nd in his class among 56 graduates. He ranked two spots above James Longstreet. His first military action after graduation came during campaigns against Indians. Fighting in the Mexican War, Van Dorn earned brevets to captain and major for his gallantry. At Fort Brown, he made a heroic dash to re-hoist the U.S. flag, which had been shot down. He was wounded in the foot during the Battle of Mexico City. By 1861, he held the regular rank of major in the Second U.S. Cavalry while fighting Indians in the West. He was twice wounded by arrows during the “Wichita Expedition” being hit in the wrist and ribs. At the outbreak of the Civil War, that unit was commanded by Col. A.S. Johnston. Robert E. Lee served as lieutenant colonel and Van Dorn was a major along with George H. Thomas. After Van Dorn resigned his commission Jan. 31, 1861, Edmund Kirby Smith moved into his former place until he also resigned. Van Dorn entered Confederate service as a colonel and was promoted to brigadier general June 5. His first Confederate assignment was in Texas and he accepted the surrender of some Union forces, including the steamer, Star of the West, which had been at Fort Sumter. It was the first Confederate naval prize.. His early success brought a promotion to major general Sept. 19, 1861. His new rank earned him an assignment back in Virginia. He led a division at the Battle of Manassas, but soon was sent west to take command of the Army of the West in the Trans-Mississippi theater in January 1862. Working with Gens. Ben McCullouch and Sterling Price, he launched an attack at Elkhorn Tavern (Pea Ridge). After that defeat, he was transferred to the Army of Mississippi with its headquarters in Vicksburg, Miss. Just missing out on the Battle of Shiloh, he led his units in the Battle of Corinth against Gen. W.S. Rosecrans, but once again came out on the losing end. He defended Vicksburg during the summer of 1862, but was unable to retake Baton Rouge. After another loss while trying to retake Corinth, he was replaced by Gen. John C. Pemberton and placed in charge of the army’s cavalry. His units destroyed Gen. Grant’s supply depots at Holly Springs, Miss., in December 1862. That put a delay in Federal action against Vicksburg. That was his most notable victory. On the field, Van Dorn’s units carried versions of a battle flag he designed. While at his headquarters in Spring Hill, Tenn., May 7, 1863, Van Dorn was shot and killed by Dr. George B. Peters, who justified his act by saying Van Dorn had “violated the sanctity of his home.” That defense earned Peters acquittal in his Confederate trial. Word was that the general had paid too much attention to the doctor’s young wife, Jessica. Van Dorn’s troops called the act cold blooded murder for gain. The murder of Gen. Van Dorn was addressed in the 1902 book written by his sister, “A Soldier’s Honor.” The book stated the reason for the murder was to eliminate a Confederate general. Dr. Peters divorced his wife, but they later reunited and moved to Arkansas, where the doctor received a land grant. Another biography is 1999’s “The Tarnished Cavalier” by Arthur B. Carter, which reveals more information about Van Dorn’s fatal flaw. Van Dorn originally was buried in Alabama, as Port Gibson was under Federal control. His body was removed to Wintergreen Cemetery in Port Hudson in November 1899.

[Gil R.]

Nice job, especially with the colorful anecdotes. Here's the edited version:

Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn (b. 1820, d. 1863). Van Dorn held commands in three different theaters during his brief Confederate service period. Born at Port Gibson, Mississippi, on Sept. 17, 1820, he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the Class of 1842. His class rank was 52nd in a class of 56 graduates – good enough to finish two spots above James Longstreet. Van Dorn’s first military action after graduation came during campaigns against Indians. Fighting in the Mexican War, Van Dorn earned brevets to Captain and Major for his gallantry. At Fort Brown, he made a heroic dash to re-hoist the U.S. flag, which had been shot down. He was wounded in the foot during the Battle of Mexico City. By 1861, he held the regular rank of Major in the Second U.S. Cavalry while fighting Indians in the West. He was twice wounded by arrows during the “Wichita Expedition,” being hit in the wrist and ribs. At the outbreak of the Civil War, that unit was commanded by Col. Albert S. Johnston. Robert E. Lee served as Lieutenant Colonel and Van Dorn was a Major, as was with George H. Thomas. After Van Dorn resigned his commission Jan. 31, 1861, Edmund Kirby Smith moved into his former place until he also resigned. Van Dorn entered Confederate service as a Colonel and was promoted to Brigadier General on June 5. His first Confederate assignment was in Texas, where he accepted the surrender of some Union forces, including the steamer “Star of the West,” which had been at Fort Sumter. This ship was the first Confederate naval prize. His early success brought a promotion to Major General Sept. 19, 1861. His new rank earned him an assignment back in Virginia. He led a division at the First Battle of Manassas, but soon was sent west to take command of the Army of the West in the Trans-Mississippi theater in January 1862. I’m confused by the timeline here: you say he was promoted in September and this earned him a command in Virginia, where he fought at Manassas, but that battle was in July. Working with Gens. Ben McCullouch and Sterling Price, he launched an attack at Elkhorn Tavern (Pea Ridge). After that defeat, he was transferred to the Army of Mississippi, which was headquartered at Vicksburg. Just missing out on the Battle of Shiloh, he led his units against Gen. William S. Rosecrans in the Battle of Corinth, but once again came out on the losing end. He defended Vicksburg during the summer of 1862, but was unable to retake Baton Rouge. After another loss while trying to retake Corinth, he was replaced by Gen. John C. Pemberton and placed in charge of the army’s cavalry. His units destroyed Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s supply depots at Holly Springs, Mississippi, in December, 1862, causing a delay for Federal actions against Vicksburg. That was his most notable victory. On the field, Van Dorn’s units carried versions of a battle flag he designed. While at his headquarters in Spring Hill, Tenn., May 7, 1863, Van Dorn was shot and killed by Dr. George B. Peters, who justified his act by saying Van Dorn had “violated the sanctity of his home.” That defense earned Peters acquittal in his Confederate trial. Word was that the general had paid too much attention to the doctor’s young wife, Jessica. Van Dorn’s troops called the act cold-blooded murder for gain. The murder of Van Dorn was addressed in the 1902 book written by his sister, “A Soldier’s Honor.” The book stated the reason for the murder was to eliminate a Confederate general. Dr. Peters divorced his wife, but they later reunited and moved to Arkansas, where the doctor received a land grant. Another biography is 1999’s “The Tarnished Cavalier” by Arthur B. Carter, which reveals more information about Van Dorn’s fatal flaw. What sort of information? Is it worth putting here? Van Dorn originally was buried in Alabama, since his native Port Gibson was under Federal control. His body was finally removed to Wintergreen Cemetery in Port Hudson in November 1899.

[chris0827]

Van Dorn commanded a division in Johnston's Army of the Potomac after Manassas from oct 4th- jan 10th. The division was in the area of Manassas.

[Battleline]

Checking some more additional sources, Van Dorn was in Virginia as a division commander Oct. 4, 1861-Jan. 10, 1862.

The source I used that placed him at Manassas obviously is wrong: http://www.civilwarfamilyhistory.com/new_page_128.htm
My mistake for trusting the content beyond the first two paragraphs.

Van Dorn's fatal flaw was that he was reputed to be a womanizer, something that led to his death at the hands of Dr. Peters. The odd thing is that some sources report Peters was a Union operative sent to assassinate Van Dorn. In fact, some accounts state Van Dorn was killed at the Peters mansion and moved back to his headquarters. There really isn't enough solid evidence to confirm or deny this accusation. It would appear that the seemy details were spared from public and family consumption at that time.

Thanks,
Battleline

[Gil R.]

Okay, I rewrote that part, taking out all mention of Manassas. Is this now accurate?

His early success brought a promotion to Major General on Sept. 19, 1861. His new rank earned him an assignment back in Virginia, where he led a division from Oct. 4 until Jan. 10, 1862, when he was sent west to take command of the Army of the West in the Trans-Mississippi theater.

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: Battleline

Van Dorn's fatal flaw was that he was reputed to be a womanizer, something that led to his death at the hands of Dr. Peters. The odd thing is that some sources report Peters was a Union operative sent to assassinate Van Dorn. In fact, some accounts state Van Dorn was killed at the Peters mansion and moved back to his headquarters. There really isn't enough solid evidence to confirm or deny this accusation. It would appear that the seemy details were spared from public and family consumption at that time.

Okay, I added a single word, "womanizing," to that sentence: "Another biography is 1999’s “The Tarnished Cavalier” by Arthur B. Carter, which reveals more information about Van Dorn’s fatal flaw, womanizing."

[Battleline]

Gil,
Looks good now.
Thanks!
Battleline