James Jay Archer

Background

James Archer was born on December 19, 1817 in Havre de Grace, Maryland, United States to John and Catherine (Harris) Archer.

Education

Archer, who was not a West Point graduate, was educated at Princeton and at Bacon College in Georgetown, Kentucky, and became a lawyer.

Career

He served in the Mexican War, and was brevetted major for gallantry in the battle of Chapultepec, and received from the legislature of his state a vote of thanks. Returning to civil life in 1848, he reentered the army as captain in 1855.

He entered the Confederate army in 1861, and was commissioned brigadier-general June 3, 1862. The phrase "Archer's brigade" occurs frequently in the annals of the Army of Northern Virginia, for instance in the narrative of Longstreet. He was present in all the noteworthy engagements of 1862 and 1863, the Seven Days, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville--where he was with Jackson in the flanking march--and Gettysburg. In the campaign of Gettysburg he was in the division of Gen. Heth, and on July 1, he was attached to that portion of the army which began the three days' battle. This was in the part of the field where Reynolds and Doubleday were in command.

Archer was "captured by a flank movement, " and with him were taken many in the brigade. He was a prisoner for over a year, was sent southward and exchanged, but died soon after his release.

Achievements

• Archer has been credited with a prominent part in the counter-attack at Antietam, and overall he took part in many military campaigns.

Connections

Archer never had a wife and children.

Father:

John Archer

Mother:

Catherine (Harris) Archer

Brother:

Robert Harris Archer

Brother:

George Washington Archer

Brother:

John Stump Archer

Brother:

Henry Wilson Archer

Sister:

Ann Herman (Archer) Thomas

Sister:

Catherine Cassandra Smithson

Sister:

Marion Archer

Sister:

Catherine Archer

Sister:

Mary Archer

Sister:

Hannah (Archer) Constable