CSA Bio Brig. Gen. Edward Higgins

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Brig. Gen. Edward Higgins (b. 1821, d. 1875) With a Naval background, Edward Higgins spent most of his Confederate Army time with artillery and garrison units. Higgins , born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1821 (exact date not listed), was living with an uncle in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, when he received an appointment to midshipman in the U.S. Navy. In 1854, he resigned his commission as a lieutenant to go into mail steamship service between New York and New Orleans. At the start of the Civil War, Higgins joined the Confederate Army as a captain in the First Louisiana Artillery. He was aide-de-camp to Gen. David Twiggs, who commanded the District of Louisiana early in the war. Promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 21st Louisiana Infantry, Higgins helped to defend Forts Jackson and St. Philip (April 18-28, 1862) as the Federals invaded Louisiana. He was captured when the forts fell, but soon exchanged. Now a colonel, Higgins then commanded the 22nd Louisiana Artillery, part of the command of Gen. S.D. Lee, at Snyder’s Mill. When the Confederates surrendered at Vicksburg in July, 1863, Higgins again was captured. Exchanged, Higgins was promoted to brigadier general to rank from Oct. 29, 1863, at the request of Maj. Gen. Dabney Maury. The pair had served together at Vicksburg. The new brigadier was detailed to the Mobile Bay defenses to command the bay and harbor defenses. After serving there through much of 1864, Higgins was relieved for some unknown reason. In February of 1865, he was in Macon, Georgia, waiting for new orders which never came. No record of his parole exists. After the war, Higgins returned to Norfolk and entered the import and insurance business. He became prominent in local affairs. After the Flood of 1872, Higgins moved to San Francisco and became an agent for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. He died in San Francisco Jan. 31, 1875.

[Gil R.]

Ahh, a short one! Haven't seen one of those in a while!

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