Nathaniel H. Harris
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel Harrison Harris (August 22, 1834 - August 23, 1900) was a Confederate States Army
brigadier general during the American Civil War
.
. Harris graduated from the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University) Law School and practiced law in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He never married.
or other significant action until the Battle of Williamsburg
in the Peninsula Campaign
. Harris was promoted to major on March 5, 1862. His regiment went on to fight in the Battle of Seven Pines
and the Seven Days Battles
. Harris was wounded at Williamsburg on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Glendale
(Frayser's Farm) on June 30, 1862 and the Second Battle of Bull Run
on August 30, 1862. After the Antietam Campaign, Harris was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
Harris was promoted to colonel and assumed command of the regiment on April 2, 1863. He led the regiment at the Battle of Chancellorsville
and the Battle of Gettysburg
. Harris assumed command of Brigadier General Carnot Posey's
brigade after Posey was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bristoe Station
. Harris was promoted to brigadier general on January 20, 1864. His brigade was assigned to R. H. Anderson's division, then William Mahone's division in III Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. Harris's brigade delivered a powerful counterattack in the "Mule Shoe" salient at the Battle of Spotsylvania. He performed distinguished service during the Siege of Petersburg
. At the Battle of Globe Tavern
, August 21, 1864, over half of Harris's brigade were casualties. In late 1864 and early 1865, Harris's brigade fought along the Weldon Railroad. Harris again was especially distinguished at the Battles of Fort Gregg and Whitworth at the end of the siege. In March 1865, Harris commanded the inner defenses of Richmond, Virginia.
Harris was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865, where he was in command of Mahone's division and was pardoned on October 19, 1965.
. In 1890, Harris moved to California where he became a successful businessman in partnership with mining engineer, John Hays Hammond
.
Nathaniel Harrison Harris died August 23, 1900 in Malvern, Worcestershire, England
while on a business trip. As he requested, his remains were cremated. The remains were buried at the Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
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...
brigadier 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...
.
Early life
Nathaniel Harrison Harris was born on August 22, 1834 at Natchez, MississippiNatchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
. Harris graduated from the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University) Law School and practiced law in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He never married.
American Civil War
In early 1861, Harris organized a Mississippi militia company called the "Warren Rifles" and was captain of the company on April 25, 1861. On June 1, 1861, the company became Company C of the 19th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. The regiment soon was sent to Virginia, but did not engage in the First Battle of Bull RunFirst Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
or other significant action until the Battle of Williamsburg
Battle of Williamsburg
The Battle of Williamsburg, also known as the Battle of Fort Magruder, took place on May 5, 1862, in York County, James City County, and Williamsburg, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War...
in the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
. Harris was promoted to major on March 5, 1862. His regiment went on to fight in the Battle of Seven Pines
Battle of Seven Pines
The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place on May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula by Union Maj. Gen....
and the Seven Days Battles
Seven Days Battles
The Seven Days Battles was a series of six major battles over the seven days from June 25 to July 1, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia during the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee drove the invading Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, away from...
. Harris was wounded at Williamsburg on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Glendale
Battle of Glendale
The Battle of Glendale, also known as the Battle of Frayser's Farm, Frazier's Farm, Nelson's Farm, Charles City Crossroads, New Market Road, or Riddell's Shop, took place on June 30, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the sixth day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War.The...
(Frayser's Farm) on June 30, 1862 and the Second Battle of Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
on August 30, 1862. After the Antietam Campaign, Harris was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
Harris was promoted to colonel and assumed command of the regiment on April 2, 1863. He led the regiment at the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
and the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
. Harris assumed command of Brigadier General Carnot Posey's
Carnot Posey
Carnot Posey was a Mississippi planter and lawyer, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bristoe Station, dying from infection.-Early life and family:...
brigade after Posey was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bristoe Station
Battle of Bristoe Station
The Battle of Bristoe Station was fought on October 14, 1863, at Bristoe Station, Virginia, between Union forces under Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren and Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill during the Bristoe Campaign of the American Civil War...
. Harris was promoted to brigadier general on January 20, 1864. His brigade was assigned to R. H. Anderson's division, then William Mahone's division in III Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. Harris's brigade delivered a powerful counterattack in the "Mule Shoe" salient at the Battle of Spotsylvania. He performed distinguished service during the Siege of Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
. At the Battle of Globe Tavern
Battle of Globe Tavern
The Battle of Globe Tavern, also known as the Second Battle of the Weldon Railroad, fought August 18–21, 1864, south of Petersburg, Virginia, was the second attempt of the Union Army to sever the Weldon Railroad during the Siege of Petersburg of the American Civil War. A Union force under...
, August 21, 1864, over half of Harris's brigade were casualties. In late 1864 and early 1865, Harris's brigade fought along the Weldon Railroad. Harris again was especially distinguished at the Battles of Fort Gregg and Whitworth at the end of the siege. In March 1865, Harris commanded the inner defenses of Richmond, Virginia.
Harris was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865, where he was in command of Mahone's division and was pardoned on October 19, 1965.
Aftermath
After the war, Harris resumed his law practice at Vicksburg, Mississippi. He became president of the reorganized Mississippi Valley and Ship Island Railroad. For a time, he was register of the U.S. Land Office in Aberdeen, South DakotaAberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, South Dakota, United States, about 125 mi northeast of Pierre. Settled in 1880, it was incorporated in 1882. The city population was 26,091 at the 2010 census. The American News is the local newspaper...
. In 1890, Harris moved to California where he became a successful businessman in partnership with mining engineer, John Hays Hammond
John Hays Hammond
John Hays Hammond was a famous mining engineer, diplomat, and philanthropist. Known as the man with the midas touch, he amassed a sizable fortune before the age of 40. An early advocate of deep-level mining, Hammond was given complete charge of Cecil Rhodes' mines in South Africa and made each...
.
Nathaniel Harrison Harris died August 23, 1900 in Malvern, Worcestershire, England
Malvern, Worcestershire
Malvern is a town and civil parish in Worcestershire, England, governed by Malvern Town Council. As of the 2001 census it has a population of 28,749, and includes the historical settlement and commercial centre of Great Malvern on the steep eastern flank of the Malvern Hills, and the former...
while on a business trip. As he requested, his remains were cremated. The remains were buried at the Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.