George Thomas Anderson

Background

George Thomas Anderson was born on February 3, 1824, in Covington, Georgia, United States. His parents were Joseph Stewart and Lucy Cunningham Anderson.

Education

Anderson attended Emory University.

Career

Beyond Anderson's service as second-lieutenant Georgia Mounted Volunteers, 1847-1848, and captain 1st Cavalry, 1855-1858, no events of his life before the Civil War are recorded. At its beginning, he was made colonel of the 11th Georgia Regiment and served throughout the war. He commanded with distinction a brigade in the Seven Days' conflicts in the Peninsula. He continued to see service in the remaining great battles of 1862, Second Manassas, in which he was wounded, Antietam, where he was conspicuous for bravery, and Fredericksburg. He was commissioned brigadier-general on November 1, 1862.

In the organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, as of June 1, 1863, he commanded a brigade in Hood's division of Longstreet's corps. He may easily be confused with the more noted General R. H. Anderson of the same army, who commanded a division in the corps of General A. P. Hill. Still more easily is he confounded with the Confederate General George B. Anderson, also serving in the Peninsula, and also commanding a brigade at Turner's Gap. In the ensuing battle of Gettysburg, George T. Anderson was prominent in the struggle for Round Top and was severely wounded in the attack at Devil's Den.

After Gettysburg, he went with Gen. Longstreet to join the army near Chattanooga and participated in the siege of Knoxville.

The following year (1864) he was again in Lee's army and was present in all the great struggles, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, down to the surrender at Appomattox.

In later years he held a number of offices in the South, among others that of the chief of police of Atlanta, and died in Anniston, Alabama.

Achievements

• George Thomas Anderson was a notable participant of the Mexican-American War and American Civil War, successfully serving through twelve battles. Anderson was told to be one of Robert E. Lee's hardest-fighting soldiers.

Connections

Anderson was married twice. First, in 1848 he married Elizabeth B. Anderson. In 1881 he married second time to Linda Spiller.

Father:

Joseph Stewart Anderson

Mother:

Lucy Cunningham Anderson

ex-wife:

Elizabeth B. Anderson

1823-1867

Wife:

Linda Spiller Anderson

1850-1935

colleague:

Robert E. Lee

References

• Civil War High Commands
  2002
• Who Was Who in the Civil War
  1988
• Generals in Gray Lives of the Confederate Commander
  1959
• Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
  1977