West Point, New York, United States
James Green Martin entered the United States Military Academy in 1836 and graduated in 1840, number fourteen in his class.
West Point, New York, United States
James Green Martin entered the United States Military Academy in 1836 and graduated in 1840, number fourteen in his class.
James Green Martin was born on February 14, 1819, and was the grandson of James Green Martin, a Methodist minister of Norfolk, Virginia. He was the son of William Martin, a physician. The latter moved to Elizabeth City, N. C., where he became a prominent planter and shipbuilder and was elected a member of the North Carolina General Assembly. He married Sophia Scott Daugé, a daughter of General Peter Daugé of Camden County.
James Green received his early education at St. Mary's in Raleigh, then a boys' school. He entered the United States Military Academy in 1836 and graduated in 1840, number fourteen in his class.
James Martin was appointed the second lieutenant of artillery, he did duty chiefly in Maine until 1846. During the Mexican War, Martin commanded a battery which distinguished itself at the assault of Monterey and was later sent to reinforce Scott at Vera Cruz. He was promoted first lieutenant February 16, 1847, and captain, August 5. His battery participated in the severe fighting during the march on Mexico City. At Churubusco Martin's right arm was shattered by grapeshot, necessitating amputation, and on August 20 he was brevetted major for gallant and meritorious conduct here and at Contreras. After his discharge from the hospital, he was stationed at Fortress Monroe, at Schuylkill Arsenal, and at Nebraska City on the frontier.
Then, he served as quartermaster under Albert Sidney Johnston in Johnston's Utah expedition. When North Carolina seceded in May 1861, Martin was stationed at Fort Riley, Kan. He resigned his commission in June and went to Raleigh, where on September 20 he was made adjutant-general of the ten regiments of state troops then being raised and on September 28, was commissioned major-general of militia and given command of all the state forces and supervision of the entire defense of the state. He prepared all the North Carolina regiments for service; the militia laws were revised at his suggestion; instruction camps and powder, shoe, and clothing factories were established; horses were ordered from Kentucky, saddles and harness material from New Orleans; forts on the coast were erected and strengthened.
At Martin's suggestion, blockade-running ships were first employed to bring supplies from Europe. He raised 12, 000 more troops than the state's quota, which were of many services during McClellan's advance in 1862. It is chiefly for this brilliant administrative work that Martin will be remembered. North Carolina could with good reason claim that her troops were better trained and supplied than those of any other Confederate state. When this task was done, Martin asked for active service and in May 1862 was promoted brigadier-general, Confederate States Army.
On June 2, he was given command of the district of North Carolina, with headquarters at Kinston, and in the fall of 1863, he was commanded to organize a brigade for duty in the field. In the summer of 1864, his brigade was ordered to Petersburg. After a gallant charge at Howlett's House, where he displayed conspicuous bravery, his men "carried him around on their shoulders, shouting: 'Three cheers for Old One Wing'." Martin's health broke down under the strain of this campaign and he was transferred to the command of the district of Western North Carolina, where he served until the end of the war. He surrendered at Waynesville, May 10, 1865. After the war, he took up the study of law and practiced in Asheville from 1866 until his death.
James Green Martin was Brigadier General commander-in-chief of the Confederate North Carolina State forces. In August 1862, he was given command of the district of North Carolina and he successfully attacked and drove the Union troops from Newport. His brigade won distinctions for their participation in the Overland Campaign and at the Battle of Cold Harbor.
James was a prominent Episcopal layman, serving as a delegate to both Diocesan and General conventions of his Church.
Martin's war record had been brilliant and untarnished. He had won the respect and admiration of his men and superiors alike.
Quotes from others about the person
"General Martin is one to whom North Carolina owes a debt she can never repay." - Robert E. Lee
On July 12, 1844, James Martin was married to Marian Murray Read, great-granddaughter of George Read of Delaware, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but she died, leaving him with four young children. On February 8, 1858, he was again married, to Hetty King, daughter of Charles King, president of Columbia College.
1785-1854
1798-1873
1811-1857
1812-1898
1821-1881
1823-1827
1830-1856
1833-1913
1846-1921
1848-1916
1851-1892
1852-1913
