CSA Brigadiers Bullock, Buford, Bryan, Browne

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. Robert Bullock (b. 1828, d. 1905) Robert Bullock’s career as a Confederate brigadier general lasted through one of cataclysmic battles for the Army of Tennessee. Bullock was appointed a brigadier general Nov. 29, 1864, the day before the Battle of Franklin. He survived the carnage there, but was severely wounded while operating against Federals near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Dec. 4, 1864. His wounds kept him out of field service for the rest of the war. Bullock was born in Greenville, North Carolina, Dec. 8, 1828. At the age of 16, Bullock moved to Florida. For a time, he taught school prior to becoming circuit court clerk in Marion County. His first military experience came in 1856, when he helped to put down a Seminole uprising. He started a law practice in 1859. When the Civil War came, Bullock entered Confederate service as a captain in the 7th Florida Infantry. In 1862, this unit was sent to Tennessee and Bullock was promoted to lieutenant colonel. At the Battle of Murfreesboro (Stones River), Dec. 31, 1862-Jan. 2, 1863, Bullock was wounded. He returned to action in time for the Battle of Chickamauga (Sept. 19-20, 1863) as colonel of the 7th Florida, where it fought in Trigg’s Brigade and Preston’s Division in the Confederate victory. The regiment suffered heavy losses, but captured 150 prisoners while continuing to support neighboring units. At Missionary Ridge the regiment was part of Finley’s Brigade and Bate’s Division. During the Atlanta Campaign, Bullock drew praise for an attack against Federal works near Dallas, Georgia, May 28, 1864. He was not with his regiment through much of the Atlanta Campaign, but came back leading Finley’s Brigade into Tennessee as part of Gen. John Hood’s command. After Franklin and his wounding at Murfreesboro, Bullock was knocked out of field command for the rest of the war. After the war, he went back to Florida. In 1866, he was elected judge of a probate court. In 1876, he was a Democratic party presidential elector. He served in the state legislature in 1879. From 1881-89, he was clerk of the Marion County circuit court, He also served two terms in the U.S. Congress. In 1903, he was named judge of a circuit court, a position he held until his death in Ocala, Florida, July 27, 1905. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Ocala.

Brig. Gen. Abraham Buford (b. 1820, d. 1884) Cousin of two Federal generals, Abraham Buford was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, Jan. 18, 1820. Buford’s cousins, John Buford and Napoleon B. Buford, grew up nearby. All three served during the Civil War, but Abraham was the only one of the three to wear gray. Abraham first attended Centre College in Kentucky before moving on to the U.S. Military Academy. He graduated 51st in the Class of 1841 and moved into dragoon duty. He earned a brevet for gallantry at Buena Vista during the Mexican War before leaving the service in 1854 (with the rank of captain) to raise cattle and thoroughbred horses. When the Civil War came, Buford was for his state’s neutrality as an advocate of states rights, but an opponent of secession. He decided to get involved in the fighting during Gen. Braxton Bragg’s 1862 Kentucky Campaign, joining the Confederate army. He was appointed a brigadier general to rank from Sept. 2, 1862. He led three Kentucky regiments as a brigade in Maj. Gen. William Loring’s division. In March of 1864, Buford and his troops became mounted infantry attached to Maj. Gen. Nathan Forrest. Buford became a division commander without the promotion to major general. His forces made first contact with the Federals at Spring Hill, Tennessee, Nov. 29, 1864, during Gen. John Hood’s Tennessee Campaign. As the Army of Tennessee advanced to its fate at Nashville, Buford and Forrest were detached near Murfreesboro. After defeat at Nashville, the cavalry formed the rearguard. Buford was wounded during one of these actions at Richland Creek, Tennessee, Dec. 24, 1864. Returning, Forrest placed Buford in command of all cavalry forces in Alabama Feb. 18, 1865. After the war, Buford went back to his farm and bred many successful horses. In 1879, Buford was elected to the Kentucky legislature. Major financial problems hit in the 1880s, which resulted in the loss of his farm and home. While in Danville, Indiana, June 9, 1884, Buford committed suicide. In accordance to a note found with his body, he was buried in Lexington, Kentucky, next to his wife and son.

Brig. Gen. Goode Bryan (b. 1811, d. 1885) Goode Bryan served three times in his nation’s armies during his life. Twice, Bryan was an officer in the U.S. Army. But he made his highest rank, brigadier general, with the forces of the Confederacy. Bryan was born Aug. 31, 1811, in Hancock County, Georgia. Attending the U.S. Military Academy, he graduated 25th in the Class of 1834 and was assigned as a brevet second lieutenant to the 5th Infantry. After 10 months there, he resigned to become a planter. Living in Alabama, Bryan returned to military service during the Mexican War as major of the 1st Alabama Volunteers. By 1861, he was back in Georgia and was a representative to that state’s secession convention in 1861. He joined the 16th Georgia Infantry as a captain. During regimental elections in February of 1862, Bryan was elected colonel. Bryan’s regiment was sent to Virginia, where it met the Federals during the Peninsular Campaign. During the Seven Days Campaign, the 16th Georgia was part of the Army of Northern Virginia which drove the Federals away from Richmond. Bryan’s men made the march into Maryland in 1862 before the army was halted at the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam), Sept. 17, 1862. That winter, the 16th Georgia helped to repel the Federals at Fredericksburg (Dec. 13, 1862). The 16th Georgia was at Chancellorsville (May 2-4, 1863) and then made the march to Pennsylvania for the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863). After the army returned to Virginia, Bryan was promoted to brigadier general Aug. 29, 1863, and assigned a brigade in the First Corps of Lt. Gen. James Longstreet. Going south with the corps, he fought at Chickamauga (Sept. 19-20, 1863) and then in the Knoxville Campaign. His old regiment, the 16th Georgia, made the most ground in an attack on Fort Sanders Nov. 29, 1863. While the 16th Georgia planted its flag on the works, it suffered major losses in the attack. Back in Virginia, Bryan’s brigade fought in the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864. Running low on ammunition, the brigade again suffered large losses. Soon after that battle Bryan’s health failed and he resigned his commission Sept. 20, 1864. He returned to Georgia, where he lived in retirement until his death in Augusta, Georgia, Aug. 16, 188. He was buried in the City Cemetery there.

Brig. Gen. William M. Browne (b. 1823, d. 1883) Born in Ireland, William Montague Browne already had a combat record prior to the Civil War. Browne entered the world July 7, 1827, in County Mayo, Ireland. He was the son of the Right H.. D. Geoffrey Browne, MP. He received education at Rugby and Trinity College in Dublin. He was in an English regiment during the Crimean War before joining the British diplomatic service. In 1851, he moved to New York City, becoming political editor of the Journal of Commerce. In 1857, he moved to Washington, D.C., to become editor of The Constitution. That was a paper which brought positive press to the administration of President James Buchanan. While in this role, he became close friends with Howell Cobb, then secretary of treasury. Browne moved to Georgia with the coming of the war. With Cobb’s influence, Browne was appointed to the personal staff of President Jefferson Davis with the rank of colonel of cavalry. He was the interim secretary of state for the Confederacy from Feb. 17 through March 18, 1862. In April of 1864, Browne was made commandant of conscripts for the state of Georgia. He led a brigade in defense of Savannah against forces of Federal Maj. Gen. William Sherman. President Davis appointed Browne a temporary brigadier general to rank from Nov. 11, 1864. Browne’s nomination was rejected by the Confederate Senate Feb. 18, 1865. After the war, Browne settled in Athens, Georgia, and earned a law degree from the state university. After briefly practicing law, he returned to journalism. He edited an agricultural journal and the Macon Star. He also wrote a biography of Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens. In 1874, he became a professor at the University of Georgia, teaching law, history and political science. He held this position until his death in Athens, Georgia, April 28, 1883. He was buried at Oconee Hill Cemetery.

[Gil R.]

Copied, thanks.