Lt Gen Richard Heron Anderson ( b 1821 -d 1879)
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:31 pm
Lt Gen Richard Heron Anderson ( b 1821 -d 1879) Anderson was born in "Hill Crest", near Stateburg, South Carolina. He graduated from West Point in 1842 and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the 1st U S Dragoons . He served in the Mexican War and was promoted to 1st lieutenant for gallant conduct at San Augustin. He served at various posts until 1861. In Mar 1861, Anderson resigned from the army and accepted a commission of colonel with the 1st South Carolina Infantry regiment. He was given command of the Charleston harbor area after the fall of Fort Sumter. He was promoted to brigadier general in July and was transferred to Pensacola, Florida, where he was wounded in the arm during the Battle of Santa Rosa Island. He joined the (Confederate) Army of the Potomac in Feb 1862, which was absorbed into the Army of Northern Virginia in April, as a brigade commander. Anderson distinguished himself during the Seven Days Battles. Because of his excellent performance during this time, he was promoted to major general in July, 1862, and given command of the 2nd Division of Longstreet's Corps. At the Second Battle of Bull Run, Anderson division was involved with the attack that broke the Union lines and sent it retreating back to Washington, D. C. At Antietam (Sept 1862), he was in overall command at the sunken road, or "Bloody Lane", in the center of the Confederate defense. He was wounded in the thigh and left the battle, causing his division to falter and eventually succumb to Union flank attacks that routed them from their position. At Chancellorville, operating away from Longstreet's command (because Longstreet Corps was on detached duty at the time), Anderson pressed the Union left while Jackson made is infamous attack on the right. Anderson and McLaws left the main battle line on the second day of the battle, and struck east to check the advance of the Union VI Corps (Sedgwick) into Lee’s rear. Following the death of Jackson, Lee reorganized his army into three corps. Anderson was admired enough by Lee to be considered for corps command, but instead he was assigned to the new Third Corps, under A. P. Hill. At Gettysburg, Anderson's division arrived late and had little involvement in the start of the battle. Lee had ordered Anderson into bivouac and rest up for the next day, which was a tactical error on his part. (If Anderson had been ordered to attack Cemetery Hill from the west, and if Lee would have ordered Ewell to the do the same from the north, the Union lines might have broken and the battle—even the war—might have been won). On the second day of battle, Anderson's division attacked near the Union center, following up the attacks by Longstrteet’s Corps to his right. Anderson's right was successful attacking the Union division along the Emmitsburg Road. His center penetrated the lightly defended Cemetery Ridge, making better progress than Pickett’s Charge the next day. However, his left did not keep up the momentum that was needed. Posey’s regiment moved sporadically and Malone’s did not move at all. Union reinforcements rushed to counter Anderson’s attack and he was repulsed. Anderson was criticized for having so little control of his brigades that day and for not having a reserve ready to capitalize on any success he might have. In the Battle of the Wilderness, Longstreet was wounded and Anderson took over command of the 1st Corps which he led until Longstreet’s return shortly before Petersburg. Promoted to lieutenant general, Anderson was given command of the newly created 4th Corp by Lee and led them through the surrender at Appomattox. He did not lead a happy post-war career; he struggled against poverty but refused a offer of command from the Egyptian Khedive. He is buried in the churchyard of St. Helena's Episcopal Church in Beaufort, South Carolina..