Background

James was born on September 1, 1829, in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. He was the son of Henry Workman and Juliana Courtney Conner.

Education

James graduated from South Carolina College (now University of South Carolina) in 1849 and read law under James L. Petigru.

Career

James Conner admitted to the Charleston bar in 1851. He built up a large law practice, and his writings on legal matters included "The History of a Suit at Law" (1857).

While he was United States district attorney for South Carolina in 1856, Conner prosecuted the famous case of the slave ship Echo. He resigned from this position in December 1860 but later served the Confederacy in the same capacity. Although Conner urged the convening of the South Carolina secession convention and was himself a delegate, he did not vote on the issue.

He entered the Confederate Army when the war began and was made captain of the Washington Light Infantry. He was promoted to major following the battle of First Manassas. He was a colonel of the 22nd North Carolina Regiment from the battle of Seven Pines until he was promoted to brigadier general on June 1, 1864.

Seriously wounded in the leg at the battle of Gaines' Mill during the Seven Days' battles in June 1862, when he recovered Conner served as acting major general in command of McGowan's Brigade and Kershaw’s Brigade before he finally lost his leg at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 13, 1864. He held no further military duty. After the war, he returned to his law practice, serving as solicitor for the South Carolina Railroad and for the Bank of Charleston.

Conner was also a delegate to the state constitutional convention of 1870. Conner was elected state attorney general in 1876 but resigned in December 1877 after establishing the legality of the Wade Hampton government. His health deteriorated rapidly and he went into semi-retirement.

Achievements

• James Conner distinguished himself during the American Civil War. He participated in the bombardment of Fort Summer and then in 1861 accepted a captain's commission in the Hampton Legion. For his military service, he was promoted to Brigadier General in 1864.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The History of a Suit at Law: According to the Practice of This State; With a Sketch of the Practice in the Courts of the United States for South Carolina 1857

Politics

James was a member of the Democratic Party. He was a supporter of succession.

Personality

A disciplinarian, James never earned the volunteer soldiers' affection, but his courage and skill won their respect.

Connections

Lames married Sarah Lambert Enders on October 10, 1866. The couple had six children.

Father:

Henry Workman Connor

1798-1861

Mother:

Juliana Margaret Courtney Conner

1804-1881

Wife:

Sarah Lambert Enders Conner

1845-1928

Sister:

Elizabeth Lilly Conner Staudenmayer

1828-1883

Sister:

Caroline Courtney Conner Chapman

1838-1928

Son:

Henry W. Conner

1867-1938

Daughter:

Mary Enders Conner Moffett

1869-1950

Daughter:

Julia Courtney Conner

1871-1958

Daughter:

Sallie Enders Conner

1873-1880

Daughter:

Nannie Conner Young

1878-1964

Daughter:

Caroline Conner

1882-1974

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