Jones M. Withers
Encyclopedia
Jones Mitchell Withers was a United States Army
officer who fought during the Mexican–American War
and later served as a Confederate
major general during the American Civil War
. He also was a lawyer, politician, and businessman from the state of Alabama
.
, located in both Madison County
and Limestone County, Alabama
. He was a son of John Wright Withers, a Virginia
planter, and of Mary Herbert Jones. Withers received his education at Greene Academy in Huntsville
. In 1831 he attended the United States Military Academy
at West Point
, and graduated four years later standing 44th out of 56 cadets. He was appointed a brevet
second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Dragoons on July 1, 1835. He was posted to Fort Leavenworth
, Kansas
, and resigned his commission the following year on December 5.
After resigning, Withers began a law practice in Alabama. In 1836 he entered the state's militia
forces, and he later became a cotton broker. On January 12, 1837, Withers married Rebecca Eloise Forney, and the couple would have ten children together. He was admitted to Alabama's bar association
in 1838. During the Mexican–American War, Withers was appointed a lieutenant colonel
in the U.S. Army on March 3, 1847, and was assigned to the 13th U.S. Infantry
. He was promoted to colonel
on September 13 in the 9th U.S. Infantry, and resigned on May 23, 1848.
Withers returned to Alabama following the war with Mexico, and became a merchant there before entering local politics. He served first in Alabama's State Legislature
, and then in 1855 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
. From 1858 to 1861 Withers was the mayor
of Mobile, Alabama
.
, and entered the Confederate States Army
in 1861. He was appointed the colonel
of the 3rd Alabama Infantry on April 28, and served briefly as commander of the Department of Norfolk that May. Withers was promoted to brigadier general on July 10, and began his Western Theater
service in the fall.
Withers commanded the District of Alabama from September 12, 1861 to January 27, 1862. His command was re-designated the Army of Mobile on January 27 until February 5, and became the 2nd Division
of the II Corps
in the Army of Mississippi
on March 29. Withers fought during the Battle of Shiloh
in Tennessee on April 6, and was promoted to major general from that date. He commanded the Reserve Corps of the Army of Mississippi from June 30 to August 18, later referred to as Withers' Division in the "Right Wing" until November 20.
The Army of Mississippi was renamed the Army of Tennessee
on November 20, 1862, and Withers led his 2nd Division with distinction during the Battle of Stones River
on December 31 to January 2, 1863. His conduct in the fight was greatly praised by his corps commander, Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk
, as well as by the army's commander, Gen. Braxton Bragg
. An account of his performance at Stones River (also called Murfreesboro) follows:
Withers commanded his division until resigning his commission in the Confederate Army on July 13, 1863, but was quickly restored to his rank as a major general a week later. He was given command of the District of North Alabama in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, & East Louisiana
from February 6 to July 27, 1864. He then commanded the Reserve Forces of Alabama from April 30 to May 4, 1865. He was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi
on May 11 after the Department had been surrendered and the war came to an end.
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 who fought during the Mexican–American War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
and later served as a Confederate
Confederate 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...
major 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...
. He also was a lawyer, politician, and businessman from the state of 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...
.
Early life and career
Withers was born in 1814 in HuntsvilleHuntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, located in both Madison County
Madison County, Alabama
Madison County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is a major part of the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. The county is named in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States of America, and the...
and Limestone County, Alabama
Limestone County, Alabama
Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...
. He was a son of John Wright Withers, a Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
planter, and of Mary Herbert Jones. Withers received his education at Greene Academy in Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
. In 1831 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...
at 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...
, and graduated four years later standing 44th out of 56 cadets. He was appointed 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 in the 1st U.S. Dragoons on July 1, 1835. He was posted to Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, and resigned his commission the following year on December 5.
After resigning, Withers began a law practice in Alabama. In 1836 he entered the state's militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
forces, and he later became a cotton broker. On January 12, 1837, Withers married Rebecca Eloise Forney, and the couple would have ten children together. He was admitted to Alabama's bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1838. During the Mexican–American War, Withers was appointed a 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...
in the U.S. Army on March 3, 1847, and was assigned to the 13th U.S. Infantry
13th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 13th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment whose battalions are currently tasked as basic training battalions.- History :...
. He was promoted to colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
on September 13 in the 9th U.S. Infantry, and resigned on May 23, 1848.
Withers returned to Alabama following the war with Mexico, and became a merchant there before entering local politics. He served first in Alabama's State Legislature
Alabama Legislature
The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 members...
, and then in 1855 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. From 1858 to 1861 Withers was the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of 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...
.
Civil War service
During the American Civil War, Withers chose to follow his home state and the Confederate causeConfederate 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...
, and entered the Confederate States Army
Confederate 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...
in 1861. He was appointed the colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 3rd Alabama Infantry on April 28, and served briefly as commander of the Department of Norfolk that May. Withers was promoted to brigadier general on July 10, 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 the fall.
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
of the II Corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
in the Army of Mississippi
Army of Mississippi
There were three organizations known as the Army of Mississippi in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. -Army of Mississippi :This army, at times known by the names Army of the West or Army of the...
on March 29. Withers fought during the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
in Tennessee on April 6, and was promoted to major general from that date. He commanded the Reserve Corps of the Army of Mississippi from June 30 to August 18, later referred to as Withers' Division in the "Right Wing" until November 20.
The Army of Mississippi was renamed the 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...
on November 20, 1862, and Withers led his 2nd Division with distinction during the Battle of Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
on December 31 to January 2, 1863. His conduct in the fight was greatly praised by his corps commander, Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk
Leonidas Polk
Leonidas Polk was a Confederate general in the American Civil War who was once a planter in Maury County, Tennessee, and a second cousin of President James K. Polk...
, as well as by the army's 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...
. An account of his performance at Stones River (also called Murfreesboro) follows:
Withers commanded his division until resigning his commission in the Confederate Army on July 13, 1863, but was quickly restored to his rank as a major general a week later. He was given command of the District of North Alabama in the 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 February 6 to July 27, 1864. He then commanded the Reserve Forces of Alabama from April 30 to May 4, 1865. He was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is the sixth largest city in the state and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area...
on May 11 after the Department had been surrendered and the war came to an end.
Postbellum
Withers was pardoned by the U.S. Government on December 28, 1865, and returned to his civilian life in Alabama. Withers again took up the law, and then he became a cotton broker and editor of Mobile's Tribune newspaper. Briefly in 1867 Withers was once again mayor of the city of Mobile, and from 1878 to 1879 he was the treasurer of the city. Withers died in 1890 in Mobile, and he was buried in the city's Magnolia Cemetery.See also
- List of American Civil War generals
External links
- www.civilwarhome.com Withers' report on the Battle of Shiloh, text from the Official Records, Series I, Vol. X, Chapter 1.