CSA Bios: Vance, Tyler, Twiggs, Tucker, Trimble

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. Robert B. Vance, CSA (b. 1828 d. 1899) Robert Brank Vance was the older brother of North Carolina governor and senator Zebulon Vance. Robert B. Vance was born April 24, 1828, in Buncombe County, N.C. He was educated locally and engaged in mercantile and agriculture. He served several years as clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions. In 1861, he was instrumental in recruiting the Buncombe Life Guards militia company and was elected its captain. When the unit was incorporated into the 29th North Carolina Infantry, he was elected the unit’s colonel. The 29th North Carolina Infantry was sent to East Tennessee to defend the Cumberland Gap. It was with Gen. Kirby Smith when he went into Kentucky. After Gen. James E. Raines died at Murfreesboro, Vance commanded the brigade until he was felled by typhoid fever. During his illness, he was promoted to brigadier general to rank from March 4, 1863. After his recovery, he was assigned to duty in western North Carolina and was captured at Crosby Creek Jan. 14, 1864. He was held prisoner at Fort Delaware, being exchanged March 10, 1865. Following the war, he was elected to Congress six times between 1873 and 1885. After that, he was assistant commissioner of patents in Washington. He served in the state legislature from 1894-96. He died near Ashville, N.C. Nov. 28, 1899.

Brig. Gen. Robert C. Tyler, CSA (b. 1833? d. 1865) Former mercenary Robert Charles Tyler was a man of mystery prior to 1856. It is said he was born and raised in Baltimore, Md., but that is speculation. He was on the Nicaragua expedition of William Walker in 1856. He listed his age as 28 when he enlisted as a private in Company D, 15th Tennessee Infantry, April 18, 1861. He had been living in Maryland at the time. His rise in the Confederate army was a quick one. He first was a regimental quartermaster, but was in charge of the 15th Tennessee by the time it fought at Belmont and Shiloh, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was wounded at the latter fight. He was made full colonel upon his regiment’s reorganization in Corinth. At times, Tyler was the provost marshal for Gen. Braxton Bragg during the 1862 Kentucky Invasion. He returned to his regiment during later campaigns of the Army of Tennessee through the Chattanooga Campaign. He was badly wounded at Missionary Ridge and lost one leg due to his wound. During his recovery, he was promoted to brigadier general to rank from Feb. 23, 1864. Records do not indicate he returned to the main army after that. He was posted to West Point, Ga., during the winter of 1864-65. On April 16, 1865, he defended a small earthwork on the west side of West Point against a full brigade of Federal cavalry, which was part of Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson’s corps. He was killed by a Federal sharpshooter defending Fort Tyler.

Maj. Gen. David E. Twiggs, CSA (b. 1790 d. 1862) David Emanuel Twiggs was the oldest officer from the old U.S. Army to join the Confederacy. Twiggs was a veteran of two prior wars before left the U.S. Army. Born in Richmond County, Ga., in 1790, Twiggs was commissioned as a captain in the 8th Infantry March 12, 1812. He fought in the War of 1812 and was promoted to major in the 28th Infantry in 1814. By the outbreak of the Mexican War, Twiggs was a colonel in the Second Dragoons. With the beginning of that war, he was promoted to brigadier general. He led troops that stormed Monterey and received a brevet promotion to major general and was presented a sword by resolution of Congress. As of Dec. 31, 1861, he was one of four general officers on the U.S. Army roster (along with Winfield Scott, John E. Wool and William S. Harney). In command of the Department of Texas, he surrendered his forces and stores to Col. Ben McCulloch, who was representing the state of Texas. That brought about his dismissal from the U.S. Army March 1, 1861. He was appointed major general of the Provisional Army of the Confederacy and was the senior officer in that grade at the time. He was assigned to command the District of Louisiana. Unfortunately, he was too old for field duty and he was under virtual retirement until he died near Augusta, Ga. July 15, 1862.

Brig. Gen. William F. Tucker, CSA (b. 1827 d. 1881) William Feimster Tucker fought in the first major battle of the Civil War in the brigade of Gen. Barnard E. Bee, but he saw much of his action in fighting in Tennessee and Georgia. Born in Iredell County, N.C., May 9, 1827, Tucker graduated from Emory and Henry College in Virginia at the age of 21. He moved to Houston, Miss., and was elected probate judge of Chickasaw County, Miss., in 1855. Studying law, he was admitted to the bar there and was a lawyer when the Civil War broke out. He started as captain of Company K, 11th Mississippi Infantry, and fought at First Manassas under the command of Gen. Bee. His company was then transferred west and made part of the 41st Mississippi. He was selected the unit’s colonel May 8, 1862. He led the 41st Mississippi through battles at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, being promoted to brigadier general March 1, 1864. During the Atlanta Campaign, Tucker was severely wounded during fighting at Resaca May 14, 1864, that he had to leave field command. In the final weeks of the war, he commanded the District of Southern Mississippi and East Louisiana. After the war, he returned to Chickashaw County and resumed his legal practice. He served as a member of the state legislature from 1876 to 1878. Tucker was killed Sept. 14, 1881, in Okolona, Miss. Allegedly, two men were hired for the task by a “Shaw.” Tucker had a case pending against him for misappropriation of guardianship funds.

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble, CSA (b. 1802 d. 1888) Born in Culpepper County, Va., May 15, 1802, Isaac Ridgeway Trimble was a member U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s Class of 1822. He served 10 years as a lieutenant of artillery before resigning his commission to work on railroad development. Until 1861, he worked as an engineer for a number of railroads being constructed in the east and south. He identified himself with the state of Maryland and at the outbreak of the Civil War, he was engaged in the burning of bridges north of Baltimore to try to prevent Federal troops from reaching Washington. Going to Virginia, he accepted a commission as colonel of engineers in Virginia state forces (May 1861) and was sent to work on Norfolk’s defenses. He as appointed brigadier general in the Provisional Army Aug. 9, 1861, and given command of a brigade in Ewell’s Division. His command fought in the Valley Campaign of 1862. At the Battle of Cross Keys, June 8, 1862, Trimble triggered a crushing blow to Gen. John C. Fremont’s command. He served at the Seven Days Campaign, Cedar Junction and Gen. Jackson’s capture of Manassas Junction. He was wounded at Second Manassas. During his recovery, he was promoted to major general to rank from Jan. 17, 1863. He returned to the army in time for the Battle of Gettysburg, going as a major general without command. When William D. Pender was wounded, Gen. Robert E. Lee assigned him to command the Pender’s division in the Third Corps. Trimble was wounded in the ankle during Pickett’s charge. He was captured and ended up losing much of the leg to his wound. He remained in Federal custody until Feb. 1865, but was unable to rejoin the army before the surrender at Appomattox. Following the war, Trimble made his home in Baltimore, Md., dying there Jan. 2, 1888.

[Gil R.]

Got them, thanks.

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble, CSA (b. 1802 d. 1888) Born in Culpepper County, Virginia, May 15, 1802, Isaac Ridgeway Trimble was a member U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s Class of 1822. He served 10 years as a lieutenant of artillery before resigning his commission to work on railroad development. Until 1861, he worked as an engineer for a number of railroads being constructed in the east and south. He identified himself with the state of Maryland and at the outbreak of the Civil War, he was engaged in the burning of bridges north of Baltimore to try to prevent Federal troops from reaching Washington, D.C. Going to Virginia, he accepted a commission as colonel of engineers in Virginia state forces (May 1861) and was sent to work on Norfolk’s defenses. He as appointed brigadier general in the Provisional Army Aug. 9, 1861. His first duty was to locate positions for shore batteries on the Potomac River. He was given command of a brigade in Ewell’s Division. Trimble's unit was given the task of removing Confederate property from Manassas Junction. His command fought in the Valley Campaign of 1862. At the Battle of Cross Keys, June 8, 1862, Trimble triggered a crushing blow to Gen. John C. Fremont’s command. He served at the Seven Days Campaign, Cedar Junction and Gen. Jackson’s capture of Manassas Junction. He was wounded at Second Manassas. During his recovery, he was promoted to major general to rank from Jan. 17, 1863. He returned to the army in time for the Battle of Gettysburg, going as a major general without command of troops. (He did have command of the Shenandoah Valley District to guard Lee's rear). When William D. Pender was wounded, Gen. Robert E. Lee assigned him to command the Pender’s division in the Third Corps. Trimble was wounded in the ankle during Pickett’s charge. He was captured and ended up losing much of the leg to his wound. He remained in Federal custody at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor until Feb. 1865, but was unable to rejoin the army before the surrender at Appomattox. Following the war, Trimble made his home in Baltimore, Maryland., dying there Jan. 2, 1888.

State names also were spelled out in this bio.

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. David E. Twiggs, CSA (b. 1790 d. 1862) David Emanuel Twiggs was the oldest officer from the old U.S. Army to join the Confederacy. Twiggs was a veteran of two prior wars before left the U.S. Army. Born in Richmond County, Georgia, in 1790, Twiggs was the son of Revolutionary War soldier John Twiggs. Twiggs was commissioned as a captain in the 8th Infantry March 12, 1812. He fought in the War of 1812 and was promoted to major in the 28th Infantry in 1814. Twiggs fought in virtually every American conflict through the Civil War. He went with Gen. Andrew Jackson to Florida for the First Seminole War in 1818 and fought in the Second Seminole War in 1835. By the outbreak of the Mexican War, Twiggs was a colonel in the Second Dragoons and was with Gen. Zachary Taylor's Army of Observation before being shifted to Gen. Winfield Scott's army. With the beginning of that war, he was promoted to brigadier general. He led troops that stormed Monterey and received a brevet promotion to major general and was presented a sword by resolution of Congress. As of Dec. 31, 1860, he was one of four general officers on the U.S. Army roster (along with Winfield Scott, John E. Wool and William S. Harney). In command of the Department of Texas, he surrendered his forces and stores to Col. Ben McCulloch, who was representing the state of Texas. Twiggs was outnumbered in troops, 1,000-160, at the time. He was able to negotiate the withdrawal of Federal forces from San Antonio, but still was blamed for surrendering property. That brought about his dismissal from the U.S. Army March 1, 1861. He was appointed major general of the Provisional Army of the Confederacy and was the senior officer in that grade at the time. He was assigned to command the District of Louisiana, and he briefly worked on the defenses of New Orleans. Unfortunately, he was too old for field duty and he was under virtual retirement after he requested to be relieved of command Oct. 18, 1861. With his health failing, he left New Orleans when Federal forces occupied the city. He died near Augusta, Georgia, July 15, 1862.

[Gil R.]

Copied, thanks.

[Gil R.]

Twiggs is another guy who's needed for the July scenario, so I jumped him ahead in the queue. I added some more info from Heidler. It's a shame to give a guy like this some of the worst ratings in the game, but his age and health clearly call for it.


Maj. Gen. David Emanuel Twiggs (b. 1790, d. 1862). Aged 70 or 71 when the Civil War began and a veteran of two wars with foreign powers as well as multiple conflicts with Native American populations, Twiggs was the oldest officer from the U.S. Army to join the Confederacy. He was born on the “Good Hope” estate in Richmond County, Georgia, in 1790, the son of Revolutionary War hero John Twiggs. His military career began when he was commissioned as a captain in the 8th Infantry on March 12, 1812. Twiggs fought in the War of 1812 and was promoted to major in the 28th Infantry in 1814. He fought in virtually every other American conflict in the half-century before the Civil War. He went with Gen. Andrew Jackson to Florida for the First Seminole War in 1818 and fought in the Second Seminole War in 1835. By the outbreak of the Mexican War, Twiggs was Colonel of the 2nd Dragoons, and served in Gen. Zachary Taylor’s Army of Observation – under whom, having been promoted to brigadier general, he led a division in the storming of Monterrey – before being shifted to Gen. Winfield Scott’s army for the Mexico City campaign. For his performance in the conflict, Twiggs was made a brevet major general and presented with a ceremonial sword by resolution of Congress. After a decade of various postings on the frontier as well as his newly adopted home of New Orleans, Twiggs in 1857 was given command of the Department of Texas – and it was in this position that his 48-year army career came to an abrupt end. Having striven to protect Federal interests in Texas in the face of mounting secessionist sentiments, Twiggs faced a crisis in February 1861 when the state secession convention voted in favor of leaving the Union but decided first to negotiate the surrender of all Federal property before holding a public referendum on the decision. Two weeks of heated negotiations followed, during which tensions were raised when 1000 state troops were brought into San Antonio, site of Twiggs’s headquarters, to face his force of just 160 soldiers. Finally, just as his replacement was arriving to assume command, Twiggs was able to negotiate the withdrawal of Federal forces from San Antonio on February 18. Twiggs, who had returned home to New Orleans, was blamed for surrendering Federal property. Though one of just four general officers on the U.S. Army roster when the year began – the others were Winfield Scott, John E. Wool and William S. Harney – this disastrous turn of events in Texas brought about his immediate dismissal from the U.S. Army on March 1. While the native Georgian made no secret of his southern sympathies, he also had not hidden his intention to turn over Federal property if Texas seceded, since the alternative would be war in Texas; nevertheless, Twiggs was essentially scapegoated by the War Department, ending his impressive army career. Recognizing the value of gaining the services of so experienced a general, the Confederate government sought to give Twiggs a command. Declining health prevented him from accepting a field command, so instead that May he was given command of Department No. 1, which was headquartered in New Orleans. At the same time, Twiggs was appointed a major general in the Provisional Army, the senior officer in that grade at the time. In this capacity, he worked on the defenses of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast for the next few months. Unfortunately, he was too old and sick to continue in the position, and requested to be relieved of command on October 18. With his health failing, he fled New Orleans when Union forces occupied the city in April 1862, but his health deteriorated further and he died from pneumonia at “Good Hope” on July 15, 1862, unaware that Union Gen. Benjamin F. Butler had occupied his house and taken his property, including the sword awarded him by Congress. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 2
Tactical: 0
Initiative: 0
Command: 1
Cavalry:

Start date: 9
“Death” date: 18