CSA Bios: Iverson, Imboden, Hunton, Humes

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson Jr. (b. 1829, d. 1911) The son of Sen. Alfred Iverson, the military officer Alfred Iverson Jr., was born in Clinton, Georgia, Feb. 14, 1829. At the age of 17, Iverson left the Tuskegee Military Institute to become a second lieutenant of Georgia volunteers (Seymour’s Battalion) for the Mexican War. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the regular army March 3, 1855, being assigned to the First Cavalry. When the Civil War approached, Iverson resigned his U.S. Army commission in favor of joining the fledgling Confederate Army. He recruited much of what became the 20th North Carolina Infantry. Iverson was elected colonel of the 20th North Carolina, which he led into the Seven Days battles of 1862. During the third battle, the Confederate victory at Gaines’ Mill June 27, 1862, Iverson was one of 272 men wounded in a successful charge of the 20th North Carolina against a Federal battery. Iverson was out of action until the Maryland Campaign. At South Mountain, Iverson’s regiment was part of Garland’s Brigade, which was routed after the death of the commanding general while defending Fox’s Gap. While the Federals triumphed at South Mountain, Gen. Robert E. Lee had time to gather his forces in Sharpsburg, Maryland. In the ensuing battle, Sept. 16-18, 1862, the brigade again retired under pressure. Iverson helped to rally this unit. When the Army of Northern Virginia fell back across the Potomac River following the battle, Iverson was promoted to brigadier general to replace Garland. The promotion dated from Nov. 1, 1862. Iverson’s detractors insisted his father’s influence had something to do with the promotion. Iverson’s brigade was in reserve at Fredericksburg. At Chancellorsville, Iverson’s brigade was on the far left of Stonewall Jackson’s flank attack May 2, 1863. The brigade lost 470 men during the attack. Iverson did not improve his image with his men when he went to the rear to ask for reinforcements. During the Confederate campaign into Pennsylvania in June and July of 1863, Iverson’s brigade led the march of Rodes’ division into battle July 1. After a neighboring brigade attacked and was repulsed, Iverson sent his men into battle. Without skirmishers or their general to correct the alignment, the brigade walked into an ambush. Baxter’s Federal brigade felled an estimated 500 men of the brigade on the first volley. Many others were forced to surrender. Capt. Don Halsey of the brigade staff rallied the survivors, who were attached to Ramseur’s brigade for the rest of the battle. Iverson broke down when he heard what had happened. While the slaughter of Iverson’s brigade was overshadowed by Pickett’s Charge on the battle’s final day, it was not forgotten. After the defeated Confederates retreated back to Virginia, Gen. Lee reassigned Iverson as the temporary provost marshal. In July, Iverson was transferred to Nicholls brigade (Nicholls had been severely wounded at Chancellorsville, the brigade was commanded by Col. J.M. Williams in Pennsylvania), which gave that unit a new leader and removed Iverson from the survivors of his angry command. In October of 1863, Gen. Lee sent Iverson to Georgia to organize cavalry for the defense of that state. Commanding a cavalry brigade under Gen. Wheeler, Iverson’s command chased a Federal raid south of Atlanta led by Maj. Gen. George Stoneman. Iverson caught Stoneman’s men near Macon July 31, 1864 at Sunshine Church. Iverson captured Stoneman and over 500 of his men. He led cavalry troops through the end of the war. After the war, Iverson went into business in Macon, Georgia. In 1977, he moved to Kissimmee, Florida, and became an orange grower. He died in Atlanta, Georgia, March 31, 1911, and was buried in Atlanta’s Oakwood Cemetery.

Note: Iverson was not very well liked by the men of the 20th North Carolina. He bickered with field officers of the unit over who should be the next colonel. He threatened to resign if not given a furlough in February 1863, but had his bluff called by Stonewall Jackson. At Gettysburg, one dying colonel stated he would make sure “the imbecile Iverson” would never lead them into battle again.

Brig. Gen. John D. Imboden (b. 1823, d. 1895) Despite having no formal military training, John Daniel Imboden advanced through the ranks of the Confederate Army. Imboden was born Feb. 16, 1823, in Staunton, Virginia. He was educated locally and attended Washington College in Lexington. He taught school and later went into law with an office in Staunton. He won two terms to the Virginia legislature. At the start of the war, Imboden was a captain in the Staunton Artillery. He commanded this unit in the first capture of Harpers Ferry. He fought in the Confederate victory at First Manassas, helping in the defense of Henry House Hill. After that, he organized a unit of partisan rangers, the First Virginia Partisan Rangers (later the 62nd Virginia Mounted Infantry). Fighting under Stonewall Jackson during the Valley Campaign of 1862, Imboden commanded his forces in Confederate victories at Cross Keys (June 8) and Port Republic (June 9). Imboden earned promotion to brigadier general to rank from Jan. 28, 1863. Along with “Grumble” Jones, Imboden led a raid into northwestern Virginia which severed the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and captured large numbers of livestock during the spring of 1863. During the Pennsylvania Campaign, Imboden’s command was part of the units protecting the left flank. The command missed most of the battle, stationed in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. But on the retreat back to Virginia, Imboden stepped up. Placed in command of the 17-mile long wagon train of wounded, Imboden defended the column from Federal cavalry. With the Potomac River flooded, Imboden was pushed into a fight at Williamsport, Maryland. Imboden’s men were joined by artillery and men from the wagon train to defeat a force commanded by John Buford and Judson Kilpatrick July 6. That bought enough time to evacuate everyone across the river. In the Shenandoah Valley, Imboden raided West Virginia and captured the Charleston garrison October, 1863. In May of 1864, Imboden’s cavalry defeated Gen. Franz Sigel at Port Royal May 11, 1864. He played a key role in the Confederate victory at New Market May 15, 1864. His forces were incorporated into those of Jubal Early for the Valley Campaign of 1864 and fought with distinction. Imboden fell ill in the fall of 1864, victim of typhoid. He was sent to Aiken, South Carolina, to command prisoners of war. After the war, he initially settled in Richmond, where he practiced law. Later, he moved to Washington County, Virginia, and pioneered development of mining resources in the area. He died in Damascus, Virginia, a small town he founded, Aug. 15, 1895. He was buried in Richmond.

Brig. Gen. Eppa Hunton (b. 1822, d. 1908) From First Manassas (Bull Run) to Sayler’s Creek, Eppa Hunton served with Virginia troops through the Civil War. Hunton was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, Sept. 22, 1822, and educated at the New Baltimore Academy. After teaching for three years, Hunton studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1843. He settled at Brentsville in Prince William County and became active in the Virginia militia, reaching the rank of brigadier general. He also served as the commonwealth’s attorney in the county. He participated in the secession convention of 1861 and entered Confederate service as colonel of the Eighth Virginia Infantry, which he recruited and helped to equip. At First Manassas (Bull Run), the war’s first major battle (July 21, 1861) Hunton’s men participated in the successful defense of Henry Hill and then participated in the charge which routed the Federals. The regiment took part in the victory at Ball’s Bluff. Hunton was ill at both engagements, but still led his men. After roles at Williamsburg and Seven Pines, the Eighth Virginia played a major role in the Seven Days Campaign (June 25-July 1, 1862). As McClellan’s Federals were pushed away from Richmond, Hunton took charge of the brigade when Gen. George Pickett was wounded at Gaines’ Mill (June 27, 1862). The brigade helped to break the Federal lines there and then silenced a Federal battery. Hunton led the brigade for three days before collapsing of exhaustion. He returned to lead the regiment through the Maryland Campaign. During the campaign leading up to another Confederate victory at Second Manassas (Bull Run), Hunton led Pickett’s Brigade. For the Maryland Campaign, Hunton returned to his regiment as R.B. Garnett took the brigade command. Hunton’s poor health played a role in who took over the brigade. The regiment fought in a delaying action at South Mountain (Sept. 14, 1862) and again at Sharpsburg (Antietam) Sept. 17, 1862, which ended the first invasion by the Army of Northern Virginia. At Gettysburg, Hunton was too ill to march with his troops during PIckett’s Charge July 3, 1863, so he rode on horseback. Hunton received a severe leg wound and his horse was killed in the bloody Confederate assault which sealed the Federal victory. When the Army of Northern Virginia was reorganized following its return to Virginia, Hunton received his promotion and command of the brigade to rank from Aug. 9, 1863. Garnett had disappeared somewhere during Pickett’s Charge and his body was never found. During the Overland Campaign, Hunton led his brigade at the stalemates at The Wilderness (May 5-7, 1864) and Spotsylvania Court House (May 8-21, 1864), a Confederate victory at Cold Harbor (May 31-June 12, 1864) and into the Petersburg lines. Attached to Bushrod Johnson’s division, the brigade defended White Oak Road March 30, 1865, against the Fifth Corps of Gen. Ayres. The brigade participated in the counterattack which gave the Confederates hope. The next day, the brigade was defeated at Five Forks. On April 6, what was left of the brigade was overrun at Sayler’s Creek and Hunton was captured along with at least seven other Confederate generals. He was held at Fort Warren until July 1865. After his return, he practiced law in Warrenton, Virginia, and was elected to four terms in the House of Representatives. He was the only southern representative on the electoral commission which decided the 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden. When he declined to run for Congress in 1881, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Sen. John Barour. He filled this seat for three years. He died in Richmond Oct. 11, 1908, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery there.

Brig Gen. William Y. C. Humes (b. 1830, d. 1882) For most of the Civil War, William Young Conn Humes was associated with the cavalry commands of Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Born in Abingdon, Virginia, May 1, 1830, Humes graduated second in the Class of 1851 at Virginia Military Institute. After graduation, he taught in Knoxville, Tennessee, before finally settling in Memphis, Tennessee, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. He had a law practice at the outbreak of the Civil War. He entered Confederate service as a lieutenant of artillery. He served under Gen. John P. McCown at New Madrid, Missouri and at Island No. 10. He was captured at the latter site, but exchanged back. Returning to Confederate service, he became chief of artillery for Wheeler in March 1863. He spent the rest of the war with Wheeler’s units. Humes earned a promotion to brigadier general to rank from Nov. 16, 1863. With the promotion, he moved into brigade command within Wheeler’s corps. At Varnell’s Station (May 4-5, 1864), Humes commanded a division-sized unit of three brigades which defeated a Federal force which outnumbered his troops by a 5-1 margin. At Pickett’s Mills May 27, 1864, Humes again defeated a much larger Federal force “with immense slaughter.” In August of 1864, Humes led a raid which sacked Dalton, Georgia, and drove Federal forces out of the town. Working with Wheeler, Humes helped to rout a Federal camp under Gen. Kilpatrick, nearly capturing the Federal general at Buck Head Creek Nov. 28, 1864. Humes accomplished the same feat March 9-10, 1865, at Monroe’s Cross Roads, North Carolina. However, Humes was wounded in this fight. Humes was nominated for promotion to major general and led division-sized elements. However, there is no record that the promotion was made official. Humes surrendered with the rest of Gen. Joseph Johnston’s army and returned to Memphis to practice law after the war. He died Sept. 11, 1882, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was buried in Memphis.

[Gil R.]

Copied, thanks.

[Gil R.]

Okay, Humes is done. Not much in the way of big changes.


Brig. Gen. William Young Conn Humes (b. 1830, d. 1882). For most of the Civil War, Humes was associated with the cavalry commands of Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Born in Abingdon, Virginia, on May 1, 1830, Humes graduated second in the Class of 1851 at Virginia Military Institute. After graduation, he taught in Knoxville, Tennessee, before finally settling in Memphis, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. He had a law practice at the outbreak of the Civil War, leaving it to enter Confederate service as a lieutenant of artillery. Humes served under Gen. John P. McCown at New Madrid, Missouri and at Island No. 10. He was captured at the latter site, but exchanged back. Returning to Confederate service, he became chief of artillery for Wheeler in March 1863, spending the rest of the war with Wheeler’s units. Humes earned a promotion to brigadier general to rank from Nov. 16, 1863. With the promotion, he moved into brigade command within Wheeler’s Cavalry Corps in the Army of Tennessee. At Varnell’s Station on May 4-5, 1864, during the early days of the Atlanta Campaign, Humes commanded a division-sized unit of three brigades which defeated a Union force that outnumbered his troops by a 5-1 margin. At Pickett’s Mills on May 27, Humes again defeated a much larger enemy force “with immense slaughter.” That August, he led a raid which sacked Dalton, Georgia, and drove Union forces out of the town. Working with Wheeler as the Confederates tried to prevent the army of Gen. William T. Sherman from advancing further through Georgia, Humes helped to rout a Union camp under Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, nearly capturing the enemy general at Buck Head Creek on November 28. Humes accomplished the same feat March 9-10, 1865, at Monroe’s Cross Roads, North Carolina, but was wounded in the fight. He was nominated for promotion to major general and led division-sized elements; however, there is no record that the promotion was made official. Humes surrendered with the rest of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s army and returned to Memphis to practice law after the war. Humes died Sept. 11, 1882, in Huntsville, Alabama, and was buried in Memphis. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Start date: 69

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

[Gil R.]

Back to some more editing...

Imboden’s ready to go. I should note that the Staunton Artillery was an artillery company (with four 6-pounder smoothbores at 1st Manassas), and therefore he was the captain of that unit.

Brig. Gen. John Daniel Imboden (b. 1823, d. 1895). Despite having no formal military training, Imboden advanced through the ranks of the Confederate Army. Imboden was born on February 16, 1823, in Staunton, Virginia. He was educated locally and attended Washington College in nearby Lexington (now partly renamed in honor of his future commander, to Washington and Lee University). He taught school and later went into law with an office in Staunton, and also won two terms to the Virginia legislature. At the start of the Civil War, Imboden was Captain of the Staunton Artillery, commanding this unit in the first capture of Harpers Ferry. He next fought in the Confederate victory at First Manassas on July 21, 1861, helping in the pivotal defense of Henry House Hill. Following this, he organized a unit of partisan rangers, the 1st Virginia Partisan Rangers (later the 62nd Virginia Mounted Infantry). Fighting under Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson during the Valley Campaign of 1862, Imboden commanded his men in Confederate victories at Cross Keys (June 8) and Port Republic (June 9). That winter, Imboden earned promotion to brigadier general, to rank from January 28, 1863. Along with Gen. William E. “Grumble” Jones, Imboden led a raid into northwestern Virginia which severed the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and captured large numbers of livestock during the spring of 1863. During the Pennsylvania Campaign that summer that culminated in the Battle of Gettysburg, Imboden’s command was one of the units protecting the left flank of the Army of Northern Virginia during its march northwards. The command missed most of the battle, as it was stationed in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania several miles away. But as the army retreated back to Virginia, Imboden stepped up. Placed in command of the wagon train of wounded that stretched for seventeen miles, Imboden defended the column from pursuing Federal cavalry. The Potomac River’s flooded state pushed Imboden into a fight at Williamsport, Maryland, where on July 6 his men were joined by artillery and men from the wagon train itself to defeat a force commanded by Gens. John Buford and Judson Kilpatrick. This action bought enough time to evacuate everyone across the river. Back in the Shenandoah Valley, Imboden raided West Virginia and captured the Charleston garrison that October. On May 11, 1864, Imboden’s cavalry defeated Gen. Franz Sigel at Port Royal, and he played a key role in the Confederate victory at New Market four days later. Imboden’s forces were incorporated into those of Gen. Jubal Early for the Valley Campaign of 1864, during which they fought with distinction. This was to be the last action Imboden would see during the Civil War: he fell ill in the fall of 1864, a victim of typhoid, and was sent to Aiken, South Carolina, to command prisoners of war. After the war, he initially settled in Richmond, where he practiced law. Later, he moved to Washington County, Virginia, and pioneered development of mining resources in the area. Imboden died in Damascus, Virginia, a small town he founded, on August 15, 1895, and was buried in Richmond. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 4
Tactics: 5
Initiative: 4
Command: 4
Cavalry: 5

Teaches: Independent (9), Stalwart (27)

Start date: 49
“Death” date: 90 (rough guess)

[Gil R.]

[Bumping because I just edited this one. After Nagle, all of the other threads I just posted on can be ignored, since I only wrote that I had copied the bios.]