CSA Bio: Albert G. Jenkins

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. Albert G. Jenkins (b. 1830, d. 1864) Owner of one of the longest beards by any general officer, Albert Gallatin Jenkins principally fought in cavalry operations during the Civil War. It was reported that Jenkins tucked his beard into his belt. Jenkins was born Nov. 10, 1830, in Cabell County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He graduated from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1848 and Harvard Law School in 1850. It is reported that he farmed and practiced law in Charleston, Virginia. He was active in Democratic politics, and was elected to Congress (11th District) in 1856. He held that position until he resigned in 1861 to raise a cavalry company from Virginia’s mountain counties. He entered the war as lieutenant colonel of the Eighth Virginia Cavalry and soon rose to colonel in that outfit. Through 1861, the regiment conducted operations in the western part of Virginia. He rounded up Unionists in his area and gained popularity among those in his home district. Jenkins was elected to the Confederate Congress (14th District) in February 1862. He served in this role until Aug. 5, 1862, when he was appointed as a brigadier general. After briefly commanding a brigade in the division of A.P. Hill, Jenkins took over a brigade of home guards, guerrillas and regular cavalry. He led this unit on a 500-mile raid through western Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio late in 1862. He insisted his men respect private property wherever possible during the raid. His unit was moved into the Army of Northern Virginia for the Gettysburg Campaign in the middle of 1863. Leading the army’s advance, Jenkins brigade screened the Second Corps, capturing Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The brigade also skirmished with militia near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. When the major action came together near Gettysburg, Jenkins was recalled. During the second day of action, July 2, 1863, Jenkins was wounded. He was sidelined until the fall. He returned to command the Department of Western Virginia. When he heard that a Federal column was moving from the Kanawha Valley, Jenkins led his men into combat. At the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain May 9, 1864, Jenkins met the Federals under Gen. George Crook. The battle was bloody. About 1,500 men on both sides were casualties with an estimate of 23 percent of the Confederate force falling. Jenkins did everything he could to rally the troops. While doing this, he was hit by Federal fire. When the Confederates retreated, Jenkins had to be left behind. Federal surgeons did everything to save his life, including amputating his arm. But Jenkins never recovered after the surgery. He died May 21, 1864. Jenkins’ remains were moved twice before he ended up at Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington, West Virginia.

Note: Micah Jenkins already has been done!

[Gil R.]

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