Robert Selden Garnett was a confederate soldier military officer, serving in the United States Army until the American Civil War, when he became a Confederate States Army brigadier general.
Background
Robert Selden Garnett was born on December 16, 1819, at “Champlain, ” Essex County, Virginia, of stock distinguished alike in military and civil affairs. His father, Robert Selden Garnett, a brother of the elder James Mercer Garnett, represented Virginia in Congress for ten years; his mother, Olympia Charlotte, was the daughter of the French general, Jean Pierre DeGouges.
Education
Garnett graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1841, served during that winter with the 4th Artillery on the Canadian border, and was commissioned second lieutenant.
Career
From July 1843 to October 1844, Garnett was an assistant instructor in infantry tactics at West Point. As aide-de-camp to Gen. Wool, 1845, and to Zachary Taylor, 1846-49, he participated in the military occupation of Texas and fought through the Mexican War, his services and gallantry at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista winning him promotion to first lieutenant and the brevets of captain and major.
After peace was declared, he was transferred to the infantry and promoted captain, serving another year in Texas before being detailed to the Military Academy, 1852-54, as commandant of cadets and instructor in infantry tactics.
In 1855, he was commissioned major and sent to the Northwest, where he commanded the Puget Sound and Yakima expeditions and remained on duty until 1858 when he went to Europe on leave.
Returning from abroad when the Civil War broke out, he resigned from the United States Army and entered the service of Virginia. He was appointed adjutant-general of the state troops and allotted the task of organizing this heterogeneous force into an army.
Early in June, he was commissioned brigadier-general and given command of the Confederate troops operating in northwestern Virginia. Circumstances were against him from the start of his campaign.
Sentiment in that part of the state was against the Confederacy; he lacked cavalry and guns and had serious difficulty obtaining supplies. He saw that his little army could not hope to accomplish much against the overwhelming enemy forces; but, undaunted, he established headquarters at Laurel Hill, entrenching half of his troops there and the half at Rich Mountain under Pegram.
When the Federal attack dislodged the Confederates from Rich Mountain, Garnett was compelled to abandon Laurel Hill.
Achievements
Personality
Garnett was a brave and skillful officer, of whom the South expected much, but who did not have an opportunity to fulfill the promise of his military training.