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Biography of the United States Congressman and Confederate Brigadier General

W. Somerset Maugham

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Published in William Barksdale CSA: A Biography Of The United States Congressman And Confederate Brigadier General

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The United States Congressman and Confederate Brigadier General was a prominent figure in the American Civil War. He was born in Virginia in 1821 and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1843. He served in the Mexican-American War and resigned from the U.S. Army in 1852 to pursue a career in politics.

William Barksdale, CSA: A Biography of the United States Congressman and Confederate Brigadier General

by John Douglas Ashton

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Language	:	English
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He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1853 and served until 1859. He was a strong supporter of slavery and states' rights. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he resigned from Congress and joined the Confederate Army. He was appointed a brigadier general and commanded a brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia.

He fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville and was captured at the Battle of Appomattox Court House. He was imprisoned for two years and was released in 1866.

After the war, he returned to Virginia and resumed his career in politics. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1870. He served in the Senate until 1877.

He died in 1889 and is buried in Richmond, Virginia. He is remembered as a controversial figure, but he was also a brave and dedicated soldier.

Early Life and Education

The United States Congressman and Confederate Brigadier General was born in Virginia in 1821. He was the son of a wealthy planter and slave owner. He received a private education and attended the University of Virginia for two years. In 1843, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Military Career

After graduating from West Point, he served in the Mexican-American War. He resigned from the U.S. Army in 1852 to pursue a career in politics.

Political Career

Civil War Service

He was appointed a brigadier general and commanded a brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia. He fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville and was captured at the Battle of Appomattox Court House.

Post-War Career

After the war, he returned to Virginia and resumed his career in politics. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1870. He served in the Senate until 1877.