Jenkins entered the South Carolina Military Academy (now The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina) in 1851 and was graduated, when nineteen, at the head of his class.
Jenkins entered the South Carolina Military Academy (now The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina) in 1851 and was graduated, when nineteen, at the head of his class.
Micah Jenkins was a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He fought at Chickamauga and at the Wilderness, where rode with General James Longstreet on a reconnaissance of the federal position.
Background
Jenkins was born on December 1, 1835, in Edisto Island, South Carolina. The Jenkinses belonged to an ancient Welsh family, claiming descent from the last Prince Llewellyn. Joseph Jenkins, the first of Micah's South Carolina ancestors, landed about 1670; in 1791 one of his descendants bought "Brick House" Plantation of Edisto Island, which is still in possession of the family. Micah was the third son of Capt. John Jenkins, Edisto "planter and baron," and Elizabeth Clark.
Education
Jenkins entered the South Carolina Military Academy (now The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina) in 1851 and was graduated, when nineteen, at the head of his class.
In 1855 Jenkins helped to establish the King's Mountain Military School, at Yorkville, South Carolina, which continued in successful operation until the outbreak of the Civil War. To the cause of secession Jenkins gave himself with intense enthusiasm. He assisted in organizing and was elected colonel of the 5th South Carolina Regiment, which was among the first regiments to enter the Confederate service, and at Manassas was posted on the right and fought conspicuously.
The next year "Jenkins' Palmetto Sharpshooters," a new regiment of picked men which he had organized, quickly attracted notice in the battles around Richmond. At Seven Pines, Jenkins acted as commander of a brigade, including the "Sharpshooters." After Frayser's Farm, in which the "Sharpshooters" lost all but 125 men, he was promoted brigadier-general, July 22, 1862. In 1864 Jenkins, being ordered to East Tennessee commanded Hood's division at Chickamauga. From Chattanooga, he accompanied Longstreet in his campaign against Knoxville. Returning to Virginia, he was in time to command his old brigade in the second day of the Wilderness. On January 16, 1864, Jenkins led his brigade to victory in the small Battle of Kimbrough's Crossroads against the Federal cavalry. During the Battle of the Wilderness, Jenkins was riding with Lt. Gen. Longstreet when both were struck down by friendly fire on May 6, 1864. Although Longstreet survived, Jenkins died of his head wound a few hours later, and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
Achievements
Politics
A strong secessionist, when the war began Micah helped to organize a regiment for the Confederate Army.
Personality
Physical Characteristics:
A surviving war-time portrait shows Jenkins with dark mustache and eyes, and handsome, resolute face.
Quotes from others about the person
"After we had driven back four fresh lines of battle General Jenkins drew his lines back a short way and formed a new line, someone said to him 'just look at them coming at the double-quick.' Jenkins replied: 'We shall meet them at the double-quick.' 'He straightened himself up in his stirrups and gave the command to charge front on the twelfth company at the double-quick, and I never saw on parade a prettier maneuver, General Jenkins was magic. He could come nearer to making his men work like machinery than any other man I saw. That was the last charge at Seven Pines at which ended the battle. We fought five fresh lines that evening and whipped everyone. Jenkins was on his horse all through the battle." - Captain W.B Smith
"He was one of the most estimable characters of the army. His taste and talent were for military service. He was intelligent, quick, untiring, attentive, zealous in the discharge of duty, truly faithful to official obligations, abreast with the foremost in battle, and withal a humble, noble Christian. In a moment of highest earthly hope, he was transported to serenest heavenly joy; to that life beyond that knows no bugle call, beat of drum or clash of steel. May his beautiful spirit, through the mercy of God, rest in peace! Amen!'" - Lieutenant-General Longstree
Connections
In 1856, Micah Jenkins married Caroline Jamison, daughter of David F. Jamison, who was later president of the South Carolina secession convention; they had four sons.