CSA Pendleton, Chesnut, Chilton, Churchill, Clanton

[Mike13z50]

Brigadier General William Nelson Pendleton, CSA (Dec. 26, 1809 - Jan. 15, 1883), Born in Richmond, Va., Pendleton was a grand-nephew of Gen. Thomas Nelson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Virginia in 1781. He graduated fifth in the class of 1830 at West Point. Appointed second lieutenant in the 4th Regiment of Artillery, he served three years in the army, finishing as assistant professor of mathematics at West Point before resigning. He became a professor of mathematics at Bristol College, Pennsylvania, then Delaware College, Newark, Del. He then entered the ministry of the Episcopal Church, being ordained priest in 1838. He returned to Virginia in 1839 to become principal of the Episcopal High School of Virginia at Alexandria, a position he held for five years. In 1853 he became rector at Grace Church in Lexington, Va., a post he held until his death, except while on active service during the war. Pendleton served as chaplain to the cadets at VMI and Washington and Lee in Lexington. The outbreak of the war caused a number of southern clergymen to take up the sword. Pendleton was elected captain of the Rockbridge Artillery, but quickly rose to colonel, first on the staff of General Joe Johnston, then with General Robert E. Lee. He served both generals as chief of artillery and served with the Army of Northern Virginia in that capacity from Manassas to Petersburg. He was promoted to brigadier-general in April 1862. His only son, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Swift "Sandie" Pendleton, chief of staff in Jackson's Corps, was killed at the Battle of Fisher's Hill on September 22, 1864. "Parson" Pendleton conducted religious services with the army on Sundays and held weekday prayer-meetings; he is prominently associated with the "great awaking" religious movement among the Confederate soldiers in the Army of Northern Virginia. After the war he returned to Lexington and Grace Church, where he often was mistaken for General Lee. Pendleton died on Jan. 15, 1883 and was buried in Jackson Memorial Cemetery, Lexington, Virginia.

Brigadier General James Chesnut, Jr., CSA (January 18, 1815 – February 1, 1885) James Chesnut was a native of South Carolina and a member of the wealthy plantation class of that state. He graduated from the law department of the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1837. Chesnut was elected to the United States Senate from South Carolina in 1858. He served two years and "withdrew" following Lincolns election. Chesnut was on the staff of General PGT Beauregard at Fort Sumter, and along with S.D. Lee delivered the surrender demands to Major Anderson. He remained on Beauregard staff through First Manassas, then became a staff officer to Jefferson Davis with the rank of Colonel of Cavalry. He was promoted to Brigadier General and placed in command of South Carolina reserve troops in April 1864. His wife Mary Chesnut was a brilliant diarist, whose diary is one of the best and most famous accounts of civilian life during the Civil War. Following the war he returned to managing his plantations and was active in state politics until his death in 1885. He is buried in Knights Hill, Camden, South Carolina.


Brigadier General Robert Hall Chilton, (b. 1815, d. 1879) A native of Loudon County, Virginia, Chilton graduated 48th in the West Point Class of 1837. Prior to the Mexican War he served in Kansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory. At the Battle of Buena Vista he was brevetted Major for heroism after he carried a wounded Jefferson Davis from the battlefield. He served as a paymaster from 1854 until the outbreak of the Civil War. He was a close friend of Robert E. Lee, and served as inspector general of Lee's army until after Gettysburg. Chilton was the undisputed author of the famous "Lost Order" which delivered Lee's plans into General McClellan’s hands prior to the Battle of Antietam. His responsibility for the copy of the order going astray is uncertain, one theory holds that he deliberately betrayed the South and Lee, and turned the copy of the order over to Union. An alternate theory holds that Chilton was utterly incompetent. Considering Chilton was a West Point graduate who saved Jefferson Davis's life in the Mexican War; and was also a friend of Robert E. Lee, and yet rose to Brigadier only in 1864, this seems a more likely explanation then treason. Chilton commanded in combat once; on May 10,1864 he led a mixed force of infantry and cavalry successfully against a Union column on the Richmond & Petersburg railroad. He then completed the war as inspector general till wars end, then served as president of a manufacturing company in Columbus, Georgia. He died of apoplexy in Columbus on February 18, 1879, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

Major General Thomas James Churchill, CSA. (b. 1824, d. 1905), Churchill was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky on 10 March 1824. He attended Saint Mary's College and read law at Transylvania University. He served as lieutenant in the 1st Kentucky Mounted Riflemen during the Mexican War and was taken prisoner in January 1847. He was not exchanged until the war was nearly over, and so no further action. Following the war he moved to Little Rock, Arkansas and purchased a plantation. In 1857 he became postmaster at Little Rock, a position he held until the outbreak of the Civil War. Churchill raised the 1st Arkansas Mounted Riflemen regiment and took them into Confederate service. He performed admirably at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, and was promoted to brigadier general on 4 March 1862. He fought with Kirby Smith in the Kentucky campaign, and distinguished himself at the Battle of Richmond. In December 1862 he assumed command of the fort located at Arkansas Post. When attacked by Gen. John A. McClernand in January 1863, Churchill mounted a spirited defense, but on the second day some of his troops surrendered their positions against orders. His loss in dead and wounded was only 135 while that of the attacking party was 1,061. A prisoner once again, this time he was exchanged after only three months captivity. Churchill then joined the Army of the Tennessee briefly before returning to the Trans-Mississippi District. Promoted Major General in March 1863, Churchill commanded a Division of Arkansas infantry under General Kirby Smith in the Red River Campaign. He was transferred with his division back to Arkansas, and played a prominent role in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry. At the end of the war he retreated with Kirby Smith into Texas, before finally surrendering. Following the war Churchill returned to Arkansas, where he was elected state treasurer in 1874 and Governor in 1880. While governor an audit of his accounts as treasurer discovered a shortage of $233,616. Claiming bad bookkeeping as the cause, he was able to settle the accounts for $23,973. After a lingering illness, Churchill died 14 May 1905 and was buried at historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Brigadier General James Holt Clanton, CSA (b.1827, d. 1871) Clanton was born in Columbia County, Georgia on 8 January 1827. He volunteered for the Mexican War, but saw no action. A lawyer and politician, Clanton opposed secession, but rallied to the cause once Alabama seceded. He entered service as captain of a mounted company and saw service on the Florida coast. Clanton was colonel of 1st Alabama Cavalry in 1861, and fought at Shiloh and Corinth under Wheeler. He commanded a brigade of cavalry at Boonville and “drove the enemy before him.” Clanton raised three regiments of cavalry, the 6th, 7th, and 9th Alabama. He was promoted brigadier general November 1863. Clanton never was able to fight his brigade as unified command, due to the necessity of detachments. He successfully fought General Rousseau at Ten Islands on the Coosa. In a battle lasting several hours, his force of two hundred engaged six times their numbers and Clanton’s entire staff was lost. He served on General Polk’s staff at Resaca, Adairsville, and Cassville. He was severely wounded and captured at Bluffton Springs, Florida in March 1865. Paroled in May 1865, he resumed his legal practice. In On 27 September 1871, as a result of a heated argument in federal court, he was gunned down in the streets of Knoxville by David M. Nelson. Clanton was shot in the chest with double barrel shotgun and died in the street. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Montgomery, Alabama.

[Gil R.]

Thanks!

[Gil R.]

Here's Chesnut:


Brig. Gen. James Chesnut, Jr. (b. 1815, d. 1885). Born January 18, 1815, Chesnut was a native of South Carolina and a member of the wealthy plantation class of that state. He graduated from the law department of the College of New Jersey (later named Princeton) in 1837, subsequently entering South Carolina politics. Chesnut was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1858, but after serving for two years he "withdrew" immediately following Abraham Lincoln’s election, and was formally expelled from the body the following year because of his support for secession. Chesnut was on the staff of Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard at Fort Sumter, and along with fellow aide Stephen D. Lee, who likewise would go on to serve the Confederacy as a general, delivered the surrender demands to U.S. Army Major Robert Anderson. Chesnut remained on Beauregard’s staff through First Manassas, and then became a staff officer to Pres. Jefferson Davis, holding the rank of Colonel of Cavalry. He was promoted to Brigadier General and placed in command of South Carolina reserve troops in April 1864. Following the war, Chesnut returned to managing his plantations and practicing law, and remained active in state politics until his death on Feb. 1, 1885. He is buried in Knights Hill, Camden, South Carolina. His wife Mary Chesnut was a brilliant diarist, who produced one of the best and most famous accounts of civilian life during the Civil War – earning her longer-lasting fame than her husband I added this last clause, just to rub it in.. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

Leadership: 2
Tactics: 0
Initiative: 0
Command: 0
Cavalry: 0

(If ever FOF had a general who should just be stashed in a fort and forgotten about, these ratings would suggest that this is the guy...)

[Gil R.]

And here's Pendleton. I'll get to the others soon.


Brig. Gen. William Nelson Pendleton (b. 1809, d. 1883). Born in Richmond, Virginia, on December 26, 1809, Pendleton was a grand-nephew of Gen. Thomas Nelson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Virginia in 1781. He graduated fifth in the class of 1830 at West Point. Appointed 2nd lieutenant in the 4th Regiment of Artillery, he served three years in the army, finishing as an assistant professor of mathematics at West Point before resigning. Pendleton then became a professor of mathematics at Bristol College, Pennsylvania, and next at Delaware College, in Newark, Delaware, before entering the ministry of the Episcopal Church and being ordained as a priest in 1838. He returned to Virginia in 1839 to become principal of the Episcopal High School of Virginia at Alexandria, a position he held for five years. In 1853 he became rector at Grace Church in Lexington, Virginia, a post he held until his death with the exception of his time serving in the war. Pendleton also served as chaplain to the cadets at the Virginia Military Institute and at Washington & Lee University in Lexington. The outbreak of the Civil War caused a number of southern clergymen to take up the sword. Pendleton was elected Captain of the Rockbridge Artillery, but quickly rose to Colonel, serving as chief of artillery on the staff of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and then Gen. Robert E. Lee when each was commanding the Army of Northern Virginia. Holding this position from First Manassas to Petersburg, Pendleton was promoted to Brigadier General in April 1862. "Parson" Pendleton conducted religious services with the army on Sundays and held weekday prayer-meetings; he is prominently associated with the "great awaking" religious movement among the Confederate soldiers in the Army of Northern Virginia. His only son, Lt. Col. Alexander Swift "Sandie" Pendleton, chief of staff in Jackson's Corps, was killed at the Battle of Fisher's Hill on September 22, 1864. After the war, Pendleton returned to Lexington and Grace Church, where he often was mistaken for Lee. Pendleton died on Jan. 15, 1883 and was buried in Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

Leadership: 4
Tactics: 6
Initiative: 3
Command: 5
Cavalry: 0

Teaches: Disciplined (1), Obedient (16), Organized (24)

[jkBluesman]

I think tactis 6 is much too high for Pendleton. He commited some serious blunders at Chencellorsville and Gettysburg and the artillery officers of the ANV said about him, they better work around him, so that he is not involved in battlefield deployment. On the third day of Gettysburg Pendleton did not even bother to inform his commander that the artillery was running low on supply. Even Lee admitted his limited abilities: "I do not say he is not competant, but from what I have seen of him I do not know what he is" (Lee's Dispatches, No. 242). After Gettysburg Pendleton was relegated to purely administrative duties.

[Gil R.]

What level of tactics would you suggest?

[jkBluesman]

4 at best, considering that he had good officers with him.

[Gil R.]

Here's Chilton. Absolutely fascinating, about his saving Jeff Davis AND being the guy who messed up with the "Lost Order." This is precisely the reason that I'm glad we're not limiting our game to the most famous generals, but including them all. You never know when one of them will turn out to be quite worth knowing about.



Brig. Gen. Robert Hall Chilton (b. 1815, d. 1879). A native of Loudoun County, Virginia, Chilton graduated 48th in West Point’s Class of 1837, and initially served in Kansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory. During the Mexican War, he was brevetted Major for heroism after he carried a wounded Jefferson Davis from the battlefield at the Battle of Buena Vista. Chilton served as a paymaster from 1854 until the outbreak of the Civil War. A close friend of Gen. Robert E. Lee, he served as inspector general of Lee's army until after the Battle of Gettysburg. Chilton was the undisputed author of the famous "Lost Order" which delivered Lee's plans into Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s hands prior to the Battle of Antietam. His responsibility for the copy of the order going astray is uncertain: one theory holds that he deliberately betrayed the South and Lee, and turned the copy of the order over to Union, but an alternate theory holds that Chilton was utterly incompetent. The latter seems the more likely explanation, considering that Chilton was a West Point graduate who saved Davis's life in the Mexican War and was also a friend of Robert E. Lee, and yet only rose to Brigadier General in 1864. Chilton commanded in combat just once: on May 10, 1864 he led a mixed force of infantry and cavalry successfully against a Union column on the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad. He then completed the war as inspector general I thought he was I.G. until Gettysburg – do you mean that he was I.G. for the entire CSA, or something else?, then served as president of a manufacturing company in Columbus, Georgia. He died of apoplexy in Columbus on February 18, 1879, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

Leadership: 2
Tactics: 3
Initiative: 1
Command: 1
Cavalry: 0

[Gil R.]

And Churchill. Let me know if his ratings should be different.

Maj. Gen. Thomas James Churchill (b. 1824, d. 1905). Churchill was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky on March 10, 1824, and went on to attend Saint Mary's College and to read law at Transylvania University. He served as lieutenant in the 1st Kentucky Mounted Riflemen during the Mexican War and was taken prisoner in January 1847, not being not exchanged until the war was nearly over and thus seeing no further action. Following the war, Churchill moved to Little Rock, Arkansas and purchased a plantation. In 1857 he became the city’s postmaster, a position he held until the outbreak of the Civil War. Churchill raised the 1st Arkansas Mounted Riflemen regiment and took them into Confederate service. He performed admirably at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, and was promoted to Brigadier General on March 4, 1862. He fought with Gen. Kirby Smith in the Kentucky campaign, and distinguished himself at the Battle of Richmond (Kentucky). In December of 1862 he assumed command of the fort located at Arkansas Post. When attacked by Gen. John A. McClernand in January 1863, Churchill mounted a spirited defense, but on the second day some of his troops surrendered their positions against orders. His loss in dead and wounded was only 135 while that of the attacking party was 1,061. A prisoner once again, this time he was exchanged after only three months’ captivity. Churchill then joined the Army of the Tennessee briefly before returning to the Trans-Mississippi District. Promoted Major General in March 1863, Churchill commanded a division of Arkansas infantry under Smith in the Red River Campaign. He next was transferred with his division back to Arkansas, and played a prominent role in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Jenkin's Ferry. At the end of the war he retreated with Smith into Texas, before finally surrendering. Following the war Churchill returned to Arkansas, where he was elected state treasurer in 1874 and governor in 1880. While governor an audit of his accounts as treasurer discovered a shortage of $233,616. Claiming bad bookkeeping as the cause, he was able to settle the accounts for $23,973. After a lingering illness, Churchill died on May 14, 1905, and was buried at historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

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

Start date: 28

Teaches: Shooters, Steady, Sustained Volley

[christof139]

Churchill did on occasion command Cavalry, as did Marmeduke and Fagan. Rather a mixed bunch out there. All 3 were usually decent to good commanders.

Chris

[Gil R.]

Well, here's a problem I keep encountering: there were generals who before becoming generals had commanded cavalry, but no longer did so once they were promoted. In such cases, I'm opting not to give them cavalry ratings, so that there won't be too many guys with cavalry ratings.

[Gil R.]

Here's Clanton:


Brig. Gen. James Holt Clanton (b.1827, d. 1871). Clanton was born in Columbia County, Georgia on January 8, 1827. He volunteered for the Mexican War, but saw no action. A lawyer and politician, Clanton opposed secession, but rallied to the cause once Alabama seceded. He entered service as captain of a mounted company and initially saw service on the Florida coast. Clanton was Colonel of the 1st Alabama Cavalry in 1861, and fought at Shiloh and Corinth under Gen. Joseph Wheeler. He commanded a brigade of cavalry at Boonville and “drove the enemy before him.” Whose quote is this? We should say. Clanton raised three regiments of cavalry, the 6th, 7th, and 9th Alabama, forming a brigade which he commanded. He was promoted brigadier general November 1863. This is crazy. I had a different date for Clanton’s promotion to BG and, wanting to get it right in the database, checked the Web. It turns out that some sites say Nov. 1863, while others say early 1863, and none gives a precise date. I think that early 1863 is correct, because one link I followed quoted a letter in which a general (Polk, I think) referred to Clanton as a general that summer. Does anyone know for certain? (Also, while trying to research his promotion date I found a website (http://www.rmcleod.com/6thalabama/history.htm) that tells a very interesting story about a mutiny among some of his men. Do you want to add something on this episode? I’m swamped, otherwise I’d do it myself, so it’s your call.) Clanton never was able to bring his fight his brigade as unified command This part doesn’t make sense. I think you mistyped something, due to the necessity of detachments. He successfully fought Gen. Lovel H. Rousseau at Ten Islands Ford on the Coosa River, on July 14, 1864. In a battle lasting several hours, his force of two hundred engaged six times their numbers and Clanton’s entire staff was lost. Clanton then served on Gen. Leonidas Polk’s staff at Resaca, Adairsville, and Cassville. Shortly before the war’s end, Clanton was severely wounded and captured at Bluffton Springs, Florida, in March 1865. Paroled that May, he resumed his legal practice. On September 27, 1871, as a result of a heated argument in federal court, he was gunned down in the streets of Knoxville by David M. Nelson, who wielded a double-barrel shotgun. Is Nelson important for some reason, or was this dispute interesting? If not, there’s no need to name him. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

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

[jkBluesman]

Maybe November 1863 is the date of confirmation of his new rank.
Nelson, the man who killed him, was an Ex-Union officer according to one website, which does not give a rank or unit.

[Gil R.]

Mike, please let me know about Chilton and Clanton. Thanks.

[christof139]

Well, here's a problem I keep encountering: there were generals who before becoming generals had commanded cavalry, but no longer did so once they were promoted. In such cases, I'm opting not to give them cavalry ratings, so that there won't be too many guys with cavalry ratings.

Hmmm, but actually there isn't that much Cav. in the game, so what the heck, the more Cav. Leaders the better!!! [8D] Gives the palyer more choices.

Also, maybe could make the Raiders and Partisans Leader Capable without a Container?? Make some way to attach a Cav. Leader to Raiders and Partisans, or if a Cav. leader is in the same region with those irregular units then the units get a certain graduated percentage boost to successfully complete any operation in that are based on the Cav. Leader's ability. This would use up some spare Cav. leaders.

Just an idea.

Chris

[Gil R.]

I still need more info before I can include these two bios:

Brig. Gen. Robert Hall Chilton (b. 1815, d. 1879). A native of Loudoun County, Virginia, Chilton graduated 48th in West Point’s Class of 1837, and initially served in Kansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory. During the Mexican War, he was brevetted Major for heroism after he carried a wounded Jefferson Davis from the battlefield at the Battle of Buena Vista. Chilton served as a paymaster from 1854 until the outbreak of the Civil War. A close friend of Gen. Robert E. Lee, he served as inspector general of Lee's army until after the Battle of Gettysburg. Chilton was the undisputed author of the famous "Lost Order" which delivered Lee's plans into Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s hands prior to the Battle of Antietam. His responsibility for the copy of the order going astray is uncertain: one theory holds that he deliberately betrayed the South and Lee, and turned the copy of the order over to Union, but an alternate theory holds that Chilton was utterly incompetent. The latter seems the more likely explanation, considering that Chilton was a West Point graduate who saved Davis's life in the Mexican War and was also a friend of Robert E. Lee, and yet only rose to Brigadier General in 1864. Chilton commanded in combat just once: on May 10, 1864 he led a mixed force of infantry and cavalry successfully against a Union column on the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad. He then completed the war as inspector general I thought he was I.G. until Gettysburg – do you mean that he was I.G. for the entire CSA, or something else?, then served as president of a manufacturing company in Columbus, Georgia. He died of apoplexy in Columbus on February 18, 1879, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

Leadership: 2
Tactics: 3
Initiative: 1
Command: 1
Cavalry: 0


Brig. Gen. James Holt Clanton (b.1827, d. 1871). Clanton was born in Columbia County, Georgia on January 8, 1827. He volunteered for the Mexican War, but saw no action. A lawyer and politician, Clanton opposed secession, but rallied to the cause once Alabama seceded. He entered service as captain of a mounted company and initially saw service on the Florida coast. Clanton was Colonel of the 1st Alabama Cavalry in 1861, and fought at Shiloh and Corinth under Gen. Joseph Wheeler. He commanded a brigade of cavalry at Boonville and “drove the enemy before him.” Whose quote is this? We should say. Clanton raised three regiments of cavalry, the 6th, 7th, and 9th Alabama, forming a brigade which he commanded. He was promoted brigadier general November 1863. This is crazy. I had a different date for Clanton’s promotion to BG and, wanting to get it right in the database, checked the Web. It turns out that some sites say Nov. 1863, while others say early 1863, and none gives a precise date. I think that early 1863 is correct, because one link I followed quoted a letter in which a general (Polk, I think) referred to Clanton as a general that summer. Does anyone know for certain? (Also, while trying to research his promotion date I found a website (http://www.rmcleod.com/6thalabama/history.htm) that tells a very interesting story about a mutiny among some of his men. Do you want to add something on this episode? I’m swamped, otherwise I’d do it myself, so it’s your call.) Clanton never was able to bring his fight his brigade as unified command This part doesn’t make sense. I think you mistyped something, due to the necessity of detachments. He successfully fought Gen. Lovel H. Rousseau at Ten Islands Ford on the Coosa River, on July 14, 1864. In a battle lasting several hours, his force of two hundred engaged six times their numbers and Clanton’s entire staff was lost. Clanton then served on Gen. Leonidas Polk’s staff at Resaca, Adairsville, and Cassville. Shortly before the war’s end, Clanton was severely wounded and captured at Bluffton Springs, Florida, in March 1865. Paroled that May, he resumed his legal practice. On September 27, 1871, as a result of a heated argument in federal court, he was gunned down in the streets of Knoxville by David M. Nelson, an ex-Union officer, who wielded a double-barrel shotgun. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

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

Start date: ???

[Mike13z50]

“drove the enemy before him.” Whose quote is this? We should say. Clanton raised three regiments of cavalry, the 6th, 7th, and 9th Alabama, forming a brigade which he commanded. He was promoted brigadier general November 1863. This is crazy. I had a different date for Clanton’s promotion

Gil,
Most of this comes from the American Biographical Archive (ABA)Part: 1
Microfiche number: 0300
Frame number: 239
http://db.saur.de/WBIS/biographicMicroficheDocument.jsf
It is drawn from T.M. Owen, History of Alabama published in 1921

Rather than cite it I would remove the quotes as it is in the public domain.

For date of rank at BG I relied on

Welsh, Jack D. M.D., "Medical History of Confederate Generals" Kent State U.P. (1995)(p.38) which specifically state "Clanton's appointment as brigadier general ranked from November 1863"

Here is the text as edited
Brigadier General James Holt Clanton, CSA (b.1827, d. 1871) Clanton was born in Columbia County, Georgia on 8 January 1827. He volunteered for the Mexican War, but saw no action. A lawyer and politician, Clanton opposed secession, but rallied to the cause once Alabama seceded. He entered service as captain of a mounted company and saw service on the Florida coast. Clanton was colonel of 1st Alabama Cavalry in 1861, and fought at Shiloh and Corinth under Wheeler. He commanded a brigade of cavalry at Boonville and “drove the enemy before him.” Clanton raised three regiments of cavalry, the 6th, 7th, and 9th Alabama. He was promoted brigadier general November 1863. Clanton never was able to command his brigade in combat as a unified command, due to the necessity of detachments. He successfully fought General Rousseau at Ten Islands on the Coosa. In a battle lasting several hours, his force of two hundred engaged six times their numbers and Clanton’s entire staff was lost. He served on General Polk’s staff at Resaca, Adairsville, and Cassville. He was severely wounded and captured at Bluffton Springs, Florida in March 1865. Paroled in May 1865, he resumed his legal practice. In On 27 September 1871, as a result of a heated argument in federal court, he was gunned down in the streets of Knoxville by David M. Nelson. Clanton was shot in the chest with double barrel shotgun and died in the street. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Montgomery, Alabama.

[Mike13z50]

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

I still need more info before I can include these two bios:

Brig. Gen. Robert Hall Chilton (b. 1815, d. 1879). A native of Loudoun County, Virginia, Chilton graduated 48th in West Point’s Class of 1837, and initially served in Kansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory. During the Mexican War, he was brevetted Major for heroism after he carried a wounded Jefferson Davis from the battlefield at the Battle of Buena Vista. Chilton served as a paymaster from 1854 until the outbreak of the Civil War. A close friend of Gen. Robert E. Lee, he served as inspector general of Lee's army until after the Battle of Gettysburg. Chilton was the undisputed author of the famous "Lost Order" which delivered Lee's plans into Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s hands prior to the Battle of Antietam. His responsibility for the copy of the order going astray is uncertain: one theory holds that he deliberately betrayed the South and Lee, and turned the copy of the order over to Union, but an alternate theory holds that Chilton was utterly incompetent. The latter seems the more likely explanation, considering that Chilton was a West Point graduate who saved Davis's life in the Mexican War and was also a friend of Robert E. Lee, and yet only rose to Brigadier General in 1864. Chilton commanded in combat just once: on May 10, 1864 he led a mixed force of infantry and cavalry successfully against a Union column on the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad. He then completed the war as inspector general I thought he was I.G. until Gettysburg – do you mean that he was I.G. for the entire CSA, or something else?, then served as president of a manufacturing company in Columbus, Georgia. He died of apoplexy in Columbus on February 18, 1879, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

Leadership: 2
Tactics: 3
Initiative: 1
Command: 1
Cavalry: 0

"He was appointed Lt Colonel and Adjutant General, CSA, and served in the field on General Lee's staff until after Gettysburg when he became Inspector General of the Army of Northern Virginia, operating from Richmond." http://aotw.org/officers.php?officer_id=975

EDITED TEXT
Brigadier General Robert Hall Chilton, (b. 1815, d. 1879) A native of Loudon County, Virginia, Chilton graduated 48th in the West Point Class of 1837. Prior to the Mexican War he served in Kansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory. At the Battle of Buena Vista he was brevetted Major for heroism after he carried a wounded Jefferson Davis from the battlefield. He served as a paymaster from 1854 until the outbreak of the Civil War. He was a close friend of Robert E. Lee, and served as chief of staff of Lee's army until after Gettysburg. Chilton was the undisputed author of the famous "Lost Order" which delivered Lee's plans into General McClellan’s hands prior to the Battle of Antietam. His responsibility for the copy of the order going astray is uncertain, one theory holds that he deliberately betrayed the South and Lee, and turned the copy of the order over to Union. An alternate theory holds that Chilton was utterly incompetent. Considering Chilton was a West Point graduate who saved Jefferson Davis's life in the Mexican War; and was also a friend of Robert E. Lee, and yet rose to Brigadier only in 1864, this seems a more likely explanation then treason. Chilton commanded in combat once; on May 10, 1864 he led a mixed force of infantry and cavalry successfully against a Union column on the Richmond & Petersburg railroad. He then completed the war as an inspector general based in Richmond until wars end. After the war Chilton served as president of a manufacturing company in Columbus, Georgia. He died of apoplexy in Columbus on February 18, 1879, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

[Gil R.]

Okay, I've reedited Clanton, based on your changes and the info provided. The final version:

Brig. Gen. James Holt Clanton (b.1827, d. 1871). Clanton was born in Columbia County, Georgia on January 8, 1827. He volunteered for the Mexican War, but saw no action. A lawyer and politician, Clanton opposed secession, but rallied to the cause once Alabama seceded. He entered service as captain of a mounted company and saw service on the Florida coast. Clanton became colonel of 1st Alabama Cavalry in 1861, and fought at Shiloh and Corinth under Gen. Joseph Wheeler. He commanded a brigade of cavalry at Boonville, with which he drove back the enemy. (The phrase “drove the enemy before him” sounds a bit too biblical for me, as if he was using the jawbone of an ass to do it, so I reworked it) Clanton raised three regiments of cavalry, the 6th, 7th, and 9th Alabama in the spring of 1863 and was commissioned a brigadier general, though his promotion dated to November. Clanton never was able to command his brigade in combat as a unified command, due to the necessity of detachments. He successfully fought Gen. Lovel H. Rousseau at Ten Islands on the Coosa River, on July 14, 1864. In a battle lasting several hours, his force of two hundred engaged six times their numbers and Clanton’s entire staff was lost. Clanton then served on Gen. Leonidas Polk’s staff at Resaca, Adairsville, and Cassville. Shortly before the war’s end, Clanton was severely wounded and captured at Bluffton Springs, Florida, in March 1865. Paroled that May, he resumed his legal practice. On 27 September 1871, as a result of a heated argument in federal court, he was gunned down in Knoxville by David M. Nelson, an ex-Union officer, who shot and killed him on the street with a double-barrel shotgun. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Montgomery, Alabama. (Bio by Michael Jennings)

[Gil R.]

Thanks for Chilton, too. Here's the final version:

Brig. Gen. Robert Hall Chilton (b. 1815, d. 1879). A native of Loudoun County, Virginia, Chilton graduated 48th in West Point’s Class of 1837, and initially served in Kansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory. During the Mexican War, he was brevetted Major for heroism after he carried a wounded Jefferson Davis from the battlefield at the Battle of Buena Vista. Chilton served as a paymaster from 1854 until the outbreak of the Civil War. A close friend of Gen. Robert E. Lee, he served as chief of staff of Lee's army until after the Battle of Gettysburg. Chilton was the undisputed author of the famous "Lost Order" which delivered Lee's plans into Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s hands prior to the Battle of Antietam. His responsibility for the copy of the order going astray is uncertain: one theory holds that he deliberately betrayed the South and Lee, and turned the copy of the order over to Union, but an alternate theory holds that Chilton was utterly incompetent. The latter seems the more likely explanation, considering that Chilton was a West Point graduate who saved Davis's life in the Mexican War and was also a friend of Robert E. Lee, and yet only rose to brigadier general in 1864. Chilton commanded in combat just once: on May 10, 1864 he led a mixed force of infantry and cavalry successfully against a Union column on the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad. He then completed the war as inspector general based in Richmond until the war’s end, after which he served as president of a manufacturing company in Columbus, Georgia. Chilton died of apoplexy in Columbus on February 18, 1879, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. (Bio by Michael Jennings)