Danville Leadbetter
Encyclopedia
Danville Leadbetter was a career U.S. Army
officer and later he served as a Confederate
general during the American Civil War
.
A trained engineer, Leadbetter supervised the construction of forts before and during the war, and is noted for his controversial involvement in the November 1863 Battle of Fort Sanders
in eastern Tenneesee. Afterward the conflict he left the United States and lived out the remainder of his life on foreign soil.
. He attended the United States Military Academy
in West Point
in July 1832, and graduated four years later, standing third out of 49 cadets. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Artillery on July 1, 1836. Leadbetter transferred to the Army Engineers
on November 1, but as a brevet
second lieutenant to rank from July 1. He then returned to the 1st Artillery on December 31, and went back and forth between the two regiments and ranks throughout 1837. Leadbetter was promoted to first lieutenant on July 7, 1838, and was promoted to captain on October 16, 1852.
Leadbetter spent 1853–57 at Mobile, Alabama
, working on the construction and/or repair of the city's harbor forts. He resigned from the U.S. Army on the last day of 1857 and settled in Alabama
. There he later became the state's chief engineer.
on March 16, 1861, as a major
in the army's regular engineers. He was sent to Mobile, Alabama
, to oversee the defenses under construction. By August 3 he was the acting chief of the Confederacy's Engineer Bureau, a post he would hold until November 11. Two days later Leadbetter returned to Mobile and continued his work there. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel
that October.
Leadbetter was promoted to brigadier general on February 27, 1862, and began his Western Theater
service. In May he was given command of the 1st Brigade
in the District of East Tennessee (Department Number Two), and held this position until July 3. He next served as the Engineer of various Confederate districts and armies, and was assigned Chief Engineer of the Department then Army of Tennessee
in the fall of 1863.
As the Chief Engineer of the Army of Tennessee, Leadbetter was responsible for the layout of the Confederate defensive lines prior the siege and Battle of Chattanooga. During Lt. Gen. James Longstreet
's Knoxville Campaign
that winter against Union-held Knoxville, Tennessee
, Leadbetter was sent by army commander Gen. Braxton Bragg
to aid the Confederate planning against the Federal positions. Leadbetter arrived on November 25 and consulted with Longstreet, using his prior knowledge of the fortifications in Knoxville he had designed the year before.
For two days Longstreet, his subordinates, and Leadbetter reconnoitered the Union lines around Knoxville. After a second look at Fort Sanders, the dominating feature of the Federal defenses, Leadbetter recommended to hit them there. The result of this counsel led to the selection of the attack route and the ultimately unsuccessful Battle of Fort Sanders
on November 29.
Leadbetter's last Confederate command was the District of the Gulf (Department of Alabama, Mississippi, & East Louisiana
) from November 22 to December 12, 1864. There is no record of him receiving a parole from the U.S. Government when the Civil War ended.
(as did many other ex-Confederate officers) and then went to Canada
, where he died in Clifton in 1866. His body was returned to Alabama and buried in Magnolia Cemetery
within the city of Mobile, Alabama.
, whom Leadbetter served with during the Knoxville operations, was critical in post-war writings of his involvement and influence in the campaign.
Alexander believed that in the selection of the artillery site to attack Fort Sanders, "Leadbetter evidently had no appreciation of the ground" he himself had earlier assessed as unpracticable and very exposed. Alexander believed Longstreet knew better, "but was misled in some way I have never [been] able to understand" and that accepting Leadbetter's recommendations "robbed him of most of his few remaining chances of victory."
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer and later he served as a Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
general during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
A trained engineer, Leadbetter supervised the construction of forts before and during the war, and is noted for his controversial involvement in the November 1863 Battle of Fort Sanders
Battle of Fort Sanders
The Battle of Fort Sanders was the decisive engagement of the Knoxville Campaign of the American Civil War, fought in Knoxville, Tennessee, on November 29, 1863. Assaults by Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet failed to break through the defensive lines of Union Maj. Gen...
in eastern Tenneesee. Afterward the conflict he left the United States and lived out the remainder of his life on foreign soil.
Early life and career
Danville Leadbetter was born in Leeds, MaineLeeds, Maine
Leeds is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,001 at the 2000 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area.-Geography:According to the United...
. He attended the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in West Point
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
in July 1832, and graduated four years later, standing third out of 49 cadets. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Artillery on July 1, 1836. Leadbetter transferred to the Army Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
on November 1, but as a brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
second lieutenant to rank from July 1. He then returned to the 1st Artillery on December 31, and went back and forth between the two regiments and ranks throughout 1837. Leadbetter was promoted to first lieutenant on July 7, 1838, and was promoted to captain on October 16, 1852.
Leadbetter spent 1853–57 at Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, working on the construction and/or repair of the city's harbor forts. He resigned from the U.S. Army on the last day of 1857 and settled in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. There he later became the state's chief engineer.
Civil War service
Choosing to follow his adopted home state and the Confederate cause, entered service in the Confederate States ArmyConfederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
on March 16, 1861, as a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in the army's regular engineers. He was sent to Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, to oversee the defenses under construction. By August 3 he was the acting chief of the Confederacy's Engineer Bureau, a post he would hold until November 11. Two days later Leadbetter returned to Mobile and continued his work there. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
that October.
Leadbetter was promoted to brigadier general on February 27, 1862, and began his Western Theater
Western Theater of the American Civil War
This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Theater of operations:...
service. In May he was given command of the 1st Brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
in the District of East Tennessee (Department Number Two), and held this position until July 3. He next served as the Engineer of various Confederate districts and armies, and was assigned Chief Engineer of the Department then Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
in the fall of 1863.
Knoxville
James Longstreet
James Longstreet was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse." He served under Lee as a corps commander for many of the famous battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia in the...
's Knoxville Campaign
Knoxville Campaign
The Knoxville Campaign was a series of American Civil War battles and maneuvers in East Tennessee during the fall of 1863. Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside occupied Knoxville, Tennessee, and Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. James Longstreet were detached from Gen...
that winter against Union-held Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, Leadbetter was sent by army commander Gen. Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was a career United States Army officer, and then a general in the Confederate States Army—a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and later the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Bragg, a native of North Carolina, was...
to aid the Confederate planning against the Federal positions. Leadbetter arrived on November 25 and consulted with Longstreet, using his prior knowledge of the fortifications in Knoxville he had designed the year before.
For two days Longstreet, his subordinates, and Leadbetter reconnoitered the Union lines around Knoxville. After a second look at Fort Sanders, the dominating feature of the Federal defenses, Leadbetter recommended to hit them there. The result of this counsel led to the selection of the attack route and the ultimately unsuccessful Battle of Fort Sanders
Battle of Fort Sanders
The Battle of Fort Sanders was the decisive engagement of the Knoxville Campaign of the American Civil War, fought in Knoxville, Tennessee, on November 29, 1863. Assaults by Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet failed to break through the defensive lines of Union Maj. Gen...
on November 29.
Leadbetter's last Confederate command was the District of the Gulf (Department of Alabama, Mississippi, & East Louisiana
Louisiana in the American Civil War
Antebellum Louisiana was a leading slave state, where enslaved Africans and African Americans comprised the majority of the population through the eighteenth century. By 1860 47% of the population was enslaved. The state also had one of the largest free black populations in the United States...
) from November 22 to December 12, 1864. There is no record of him receiving a parole from the U.S. Government when the Civil War ended.
Postbellum
After the war Leadbetter fled to MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
(as did many other ex-Confederate officers) and then went to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where he died in Clifton in 1866. His body was returned to Alabama and buried in Magnolia Cemetery
Magnolia Cemetery (Mobile, Alabama)
Magnolia Cemetery is a city cemetery located in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The cemetery is situated on and was established in 1836. From that time onward it served as Mobile's primary burial site during the 19th century. It is the final resting place for many of Mobile's 19th and early 20th...
within the city of Mobile, Alabama.
Assessment
Exactly how much and the quality of Leadbetter's service to the Confederate Army is debatable. Military historian Ezra J. Warner states he was usually highly thought of by several of his superiors; however Edward Porter AlexanderEdward Porter Alexander
Edward Porter Alexander was an engineer, an officer in the U.S. Army, a Confederate general in the American Civil War, and later a railroad executive, planter, and author....
, whom Leadbetter served with during the Knoxville operations, was critical in post-war writings of his involvement and influence in the campaign.
Alexander believed that in the selection of the artillery site to attack Fort Sanders, "Leadbetter evidently had no appreciation of the ground" he himself had earlier assessed as unpracticable and very exposed. Alexander believed Longstreet knew better, "but was misled in some way I have never [been] able to understand" and that accepting Leadbetter's recommendations "robbed him of most of his few remaining chances of victory."
Engineer assignments and dates
Leadbetter was the lead engineer of the following Confederate units, followed by his starting date:- Chattanooga, TennesseeChattanooga, TennesseeChattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, from July 10, 1862 - District of the Gulf, from October 19, 1862
- Department of Tennessee, from July 25, 1863
- Army of TennesseeArmy of TennesseeThe Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
, from October 23, 1863 - District of the Gulf, from April 30, 1864
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
- Leadbetter PointLeadbetter PointLeadbetter Point is a point on the northwest coast of Pacific County in the state of Washington in the United States. It lies at the southern side of the entrance to Willapa Bay....
Further reading
- Wilson, John Alfred, Adventures of Alf. Wilson: A Thrilling Episode of the Dark Days of the Rebellion, National Tribune, 1897.
External links
- google.com link to book Adventures of Alf. Wilson: A Thrilling Episode of the Dark Days of the Rebellion.