CSA Bio James T. Holtzclaw

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. James T. Holtzclaw (b. 1833, d. 1893) By any account, James Thadeus Holtzclaw should have never survived long enough to become a Confederate brigadier general. Shot through a lung at the bloody Battle of Shiloh, Holtzclaw was thought to be fatally wounded. But he came back to resume his post in 90 days. Holtzclaw was born in McDonough in Henry County, Georgia, Dec. 17, 1833. His parents resided in Chambers County, Alabama, and James grew up there, graduating from the local Presbyterian high school. He received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in 1853, but declined. Instead, he went to study law in Montgomery, Alabama, the state capital. He was admitted to the bar in 1855 and began a lifetime of working with the law (with the exception of the war years. He also belonged to the Montgomery True Blues, a militia organization. With this unit, he entered Confederate service as a lieutenant. The True Blues were assigned to the Third Alabama Infantry and later the company was converted to artillery. Sources do not indicate exactly when Holtzclaw left the True Blues, whether it was before or after the unit went to Virginia. Holtzclaw left the True Blues in August of 1861, when he was appointed major of the 18th Alabama Infantry. The unit was ordered to Corinth, Mississippi, in March of 1862 for the buildup of forces which fought at Shiloh, Tennessee, as part of the brigade of Gen. John K. Jackson. During the savage fighting April 6-7, 1862, the 18th Alabama lost all of its officers, who were either killed or wounded. Holtzclaw just missed being listed as both. Holtzclaw rejoined the unit when it was stationed in Mobile, Alabama. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel July 1, 1862. The regiment remained there until April of 1863. It was sent to the Army of Tennessee. Holtzclaw was promoted again, this time to colonel, May 10, 1863. Participating in another Confederate assault, the 18th Alabama again was mauled at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia (Sept. 19-20, 1863). Holtzclaw was one of 22 officers wounded in the fight. Overall, the unit lost 300 of its 500 combat effectives during the battle. This time, the unit could be assuaged that its sacrifice was for a winning cause as the Confederates carried the fight. For a time, Holtzclaw commanded Clayton’s brigade during the fight a Chickamauga and the unsuccessful siege of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 18th Alabama lost about 90 men during fighting around Missionary Ridge. As Federal armies moved from Chattanooga toward the Georgia capital, Atlanta, Holtzclaw received a promotion to brigadier general to rank from June 7, 1864. Holtzclaw’s brigade fought through the Atlanta campaign before being detailed to go with the part of the army assembled by John B. Hood to invade Tennessee. During the retreat after the defeat at Nashville, Holtzclaw’s brigade served as the army’s rearguard at different times. Instead of continuing with the army to North Carolina, Holtzclaw’s brigade was detailed to Mobile to defend that port city. At the close of the war, Holtzclaw received his parole at Meridian, Mississippi, in May of 1865. Holtzclaw returned to practicing law and became active in Democratic party politics. He was appointed to the Alabama railroad commission just months before his death in Montgomery, Alabama, July 19, 1893.

[Gil R.]

(Finally) copied.