Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States
Cullen Battle studied at the University of Alabama.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States
Cullen Battle studied at the University of Alabama.
(This memoir is a dramatic, intelligent first-person accou...)
This memoir is a dramatic, intelligent first-person account of an Alabama regiment central to the Confederate campaign, written by its commander. As the regiment’s leader and one of General Robert E. Lee’s brigade commanders, General Cullen Andrews Battle witnessed the extent of the many triumphs and sufferings of the Army of Northern Virginia. Trained as a journalist and lawyer, he records these events honestly and with compassion. Battle captures the courage of citizen soldiers fighting without prior military training, always paying tribute to the heroism of those under his command, while providing vivid accounts of some of the war’s bloodiest fights. He assesses Confederate mistakes particularly at Seven Pines - and sheds light on the Third Battle of Winchester, the only decisive defeat in which the regiment was involved.
https://www.amazon.com/Third-Alabama-Brigadier-General-Andrews/dp/0817312447?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=0817312447
Cullen Andrews Battle was born on June 1, 1829, at Powelton, Hancock County, Georgia, United States. He was the son of Dr. Cullen Battle, a man of some local prominence, and Jane A. Lamon Battle. His brother, Rev. A. J. Battle, was for seventeen years president of Mercer University, Macon, Georgia. In 1836 the family removed to Alabama and settled at Eufaula (then called Irwinton).
Cullen Battle studied at the University of Alabama, and then read law in the office of John G. Shorter, afterward governor of the state.
Cullen Battle was admitted to the bar in 1852, and soon afterward formed a partnership with William P. Chilton.
After the John Brown raid, he had organized a military company and offered it to Gov. Wise of Virginia, for the defense of that state. The offer was of course declined, but the company was not disbanded, being incorporated with an Alabama regiment of which Battle was appointed lieutenant-colonel. At the beginning of hostilities in 1861 the regiment was called into service to take part in the operations about Pensacola. His state commission being terminated, Battle was appointed major of the 3rd Alabama, a regiment newly organized for Confederate service, and was almost immediately promoted to be its lieutenant-colonel. He served through the Peninsular campaign with it, and when the Colonel (Lomax) was killed at Seven Pines, he was promoted to fill his place. He commanded the regiment in the Maryland campaign in 1862, and at Fredericksburg. A few days before the battle of Chancellorsville, he was hurt by his horse's rearing and falling into a ditch. He returned to duty the day before the battle, but wrenched his injured back so severely, in riding, that he was unable to resume command for seven weeks.
Rejoining after the army had entered Pennsylvania, Battle was present at the battle of Gettysburg. In the confusion of the first day's fighting the brigade was broken up, and Battle found his regiment separated from the rest of the command, but adjacent to Gen. Ramseur's brigade. "Attaching his regiment to my command on his own responsibility, " wrote Ramseur, "he came in at the right place, at the right time, and in the right way. " The brigade was not engaged on the second day. On the third, it was attached to Johnson's division for the attack delivered and repulsed on the Union right, early in the morning. Next month, Battle was appointed brigadier-general, his brigade forming part of Rodes's division of Ewell's corps. He received a vote of thanks from the Confederate Congress (February 6, 1864) when his brigade reenlisted for the war. He was present in command through the fighting in the Wilderness and at Spotsylvania, where the brigade lost heavily. At one time when it was driven back in disorder, but rallied, Battle makes the bald report: "I took the colors of the 3rd Alabama in my hand, went forward and asked the men to follow. "
Later in 1864, while with Early in his Shenandoah Valley campaign, a severe wound received at Cedar Creek ended his active service. Battle was appointed major-general and assigned to a division, but the war ended before he had recovered sufficiently to take command. He returned to the practice of law at Tuskegee, Alabama, and once more became prominent in politics. Chosen for Congress in 1868, his inability to take the "iron-clad oath" prevented his admission. He was a strong candidate for the Democratic nomination for senator in 1870, but the probability that he could not take his seat if elected caused his name to be eliminated. In 1874 he was a delegate to the Alabama constitutional convention. He removed to Newbern, North Carolina, in 1880, became editor of the Newbern Journal, and was mayor of the city for a time. He died at Greensboro, North Carolina, and was buried at Petersburg, Virginia.
During American Civil War Cullen Battle participated in many prominent battles: Peninsula Campaign; Battle of South Mountain; Battle of Antietam; Battle of Fredericksburg; Gettysburg Campaign; Mine Run Campaign; Bristoe Campaign; Overland Campaign; Valley Campaign.
He won praise for his action at Spotsylvania during the Wilderness campaign.
During World War II an army camp at Glenburnie Park was named "Camp Battle" in his honor.
(This memoir is a dramatic, intelligent first-person accou...)
Cullen Battle acquired a considerable reputation as an orator and began to take some part in politics as an ardent and uncompromising secessionist. In the presidential campaign of 1860, he made, with Senator Yancey, an extensive speaking tour, which not only covered the state but extended to several northern cities, including Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Battle himself was chosen as a presidential elector, casting his vote for Breckinridge.
Cullen Battle was married to Georgia Florida Williams in 1851.
1785-1879
1799-1883
1825-1879
1826-1907
1838-1860
1853-1946
1866-1905
