William L. Brandon
Encyclopedia
William Lindsay Brandon was a physician
, state legislator, planter and military officer best known for having served as a General in the Confederacy
during the American Civil War
.
. His exact birth date cannot be determined as his family records were destroyed in an 1836 fire. He settled in Wilkinson County, MS
near Pinckneyville
. Brandon was educated at Washington College
and the then College of New Jersey (now Princeton
) studying medicine. In his antebellum career, he became a planter very interested in horses and hunting. In 1826, Brandon served in the Mississippi State Legislature.
of the 21st Mississippi Infantry Regiment
. Brandon went to Virginia
but not in time for the Battle of First Manassas. About 10 days after the end of the battle in June 1861, Brandon awoke with a chill. This illness prompted Brandon to take a leave from active service, which lasted until the end of August. Other men in his regiment did not think he would be fit for duty again and he did not receive the appointment to colonel. The regiment was therefore unable to fight in First Manassas which, at that time, was described as the greatest pitched battle ever to be fought on American soil. Brandon and his regiment were placed in the Potomac division of the Confederate army in Virginia. During the summer and fall of 1861, Brandon's unit was on duty in the northeastern part of the state. During the Yorktown siege, Confederate forces, under the command of General Joseph E. Johnston
, were spread out across eastern Virginia in Culpeper
, Fredricksburg
, and Norfolk
, forming the Warwick Line
. The Battle of Williamsburg
followed the end of the siege. During the Battle of Seven Pines
, Johnston suffered a severe wound when an artillery shell hit him in the right shoulder and chest. This incident led to command being turned over to Robert E. Lee
, who soon led an aggressive campaign.
on 1 July 1862, a ball
passed through Brandon's ankle joint. As he fell, his hand hit a rolling shell which did not explode. Oblivious that he had been wounded, Brand sprang back up; unable to stand on his feet, he fell once more and had to stay on the field until men were told to pick him up and carry him to the rear. Because there was no bleeding seen, Brandon thought that his injuries were not serious but was taken on horse-back to a hospital. Brandon refused to drink whiskey without water and sugar but after others convinced him that it was necessary, he finally drank it. A tourniquet was put in place and an amputation was performed rapidly. The procedure was very painful as there was not enough chloroform
to provide full anesthesia
when the arteries
were sewn.
Because of Brandon's age, the doctors thought his chances of survival were slight. After being transferred to Richmond
, he was taken care of by friends and his servant. Confederate President
Jefferson Davis
even offered the hospitality of the William T. Sutherlin Mansion, Davis' temporary residence. There were complications during this time including various treatments of the day
During Brandon's recovery, his regiment fought in the Battle of Seven Pines
, during which his second in command, Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin G. Humphreys
, was also absent. The uncoordinated 21st Mississippi lost many officers and men during the engagement. Brandon later returned to active service, commanding his regiment until after the Battle of Gettysburg
. General William Barksdale
was killed in the battle; Colonel Humphreys became brigadier general to replace him, and Brandon was in turn promoted to full colonel.
and Knoxville
, returning to Virginia with Lt. Gen. James Longstreet
. In June 1864, Brandon was promoted to brigadier general
and sent to Mississippi
where, on 23 July, he was placed in command of the Reserve Corps of Mississippi. He was later placed in charge of the Confederate Bureau of Conscription on 8 October 1864. In his own state of Mississippi, he labored to bring out every man needed for the service of the Confederacy. Brandon returned to his plantation in Wilkinsons
, after the war, where, despite his age and physical disability, he worked until his death.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, state legislator, planter and military officer best known for having served as a General in the Confederacy
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...
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...
.
Antebellum life
Brandon was born in either 1800 or 1802 in Adams County, MississippiAdams County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,340 people, 13,677 households, and 9,409 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile . There were 15,175 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
. His exact birth date cannot be determined as his family records were destroyed in an 1836 fire. He settled in Wilkinson County, MS
Wilkinson County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,312 people, 3,578 households, and 2,511 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 5,106 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
near Pinckneyville
Pinckneyville, Mississippi
Pinckneyville is an unincorporated community in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, United States. Its elevation is 239 feet .-References:...
. Brandon was educated at Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
and the then College of New Jersey (now Princeton
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
) studying medicine. In his antebellum career, he became a planter very interested in horses and hunting. In 1826, Brandon served in the Mississippi State Legislature.
Military career
Despite his age, Brandon was allowed to serve with the Confederate army in 1861 as lieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
of the 21st Mississippi Infantry Regiment
21st Mississippi Infantry Regiment
The 21st Regiment, Mississippi Infantry was a Confederate infantry regiment from Mississippi in the American Civil War. The regiment was involved in several well documented battles including the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Chickamauga....
. Brandon went to 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...
but not in time for the Battle of First Manassas. About 10 days after the end of the battle in June 1861, Brandon awoke with a chill. This illness prompted Brandon to take a leave from active service, which lasted until the end of August. Other men in his regiment did not think he would be fit for duty again and he did not receive the appointment to colonel. The regiment was therefore unable to fight in First Manassas which, at that time, was described as the greatest pitched battle ever to be fought on American soil. Brandon and his regiment were placed in the Potomac division of the Confederate army in Virginia. During the summer and fall of 1861, Brandon's unit was on duty in the northeastern part of the state. During the Yorktown siege, Confederate forces, under the command of General Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph Eggleston Johnston was a career U.S. Army officer, serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War and Seminole Wars, and was also one of the most senior general officers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
, were spread out across eastern Virginia in Culpeper
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Culpeper County. Culpeper is part of the Culpeper Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Culpeper County. Both the Town of Culpeper and...
, Fredricksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
, and Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, forming the Warwick Line
Warwick Line
The Warwick Line was a defensive works across the Virginia Peninsula maintained along the Warwick River by Confederate General John B. Magruder against much larger Union forces under General George B...
. 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...
followed the end of the siege. During 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....
, Johnston suffered a severe wound when an artillery shell hit him in the right shoulder and chest. This incident led to command being turned over to Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
, who soon led an aggressive campaign.
Battle of Malvern Hill and injuries
During the Battle of Malvern HillBattle of Malvern Hill
The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, took place on July 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the seventh and last day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable...
on 1 July 1862, a ball
Minié ball
The Minié ball is a type of muzzle-loading spin-stabilising rifle bullet named after its co-developer, Claude-Étienne Minié, inventor of the Minié rifle...
passed through Brandon's ankle joint. As he fell, his hand hit a rolling shell which did not explode. Oblivious that he had been wounded, Brand sprang back up; unable to stand on his feet, he fell once more and had to stay on the field until men were told to pick him up and carry him to the rear. Because there was no bleeding seen, Brandon thought that his injuries were not serious but was taken on horse-back to a hospital. Brandon refused to drink whiskey without water and sugar but after others convinced him that it was necessary, he finally drank it. A tourniquet was put in place and an amputation was performed rapidly. The procedure was very painful as there was not enough chloroform
Chloroform
Chloroform is an organic compound with formula CHCl3. It is one of the four chloromethanes. The colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid is a trihalomethane, and is considered somewhat hazardous...
to provide full anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
when the arteries
Artery
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries....
were sewn.
Because of Brandon's age, the doctors thought his chances of survival were slight. After being transferred to Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, he was taken care of by friends and his servant. Confederate President
President of the Confederate States of America
The President of the Confederate States of America was the Head of State and Head of Government of the Confederate States of America, which was formed from the states which declared their secession from the United States, thus precipitating the American Civil War. The only person to hold the...
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
even offered the hospitality of the William T. Sutherlin Mansion, Davis' temporary residence. There were complications during this time including various treatments of the day
During Brandon's recovery, his regiment fought 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....
, during which his second in command, Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin G. Humphreys
Benjamin G. Humphreys
Benjamin Grubb Humphreys was an American politician from Mississippi. He was a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and served as Governor of Mississippi from 1865 to 1868, during Reconstruction.-Early life:Humphreys was born in Claiborne County, Mississippi, on the...
, was also absent. The uncoordinated 21st Mississippi lost many officers and men during the engagement. Brandon later returned to active service, commanding his regiment until after 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...
. General William Barksdale
William Barksdale
William Barksdale was a lawyer, newspaper editor, U.S. Congressman, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War...
was killed in the battle; Colonel Humphreys became brigadier general to replace him, and Brandon was in turn promoted to full colonel.
Later years
Brandon led his regiment through the campaigns of ChattanoogaChattanooga Campaign
The Chattanooga Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in October and November 1863, during the American Civil War. Following the defeat of Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans's Union Army of the Cumberland at the Battle of Chickamauga in September, the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen...
and Knoxville
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...
, returning to Virginia with Lt. Gen. James Longstreet
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...
. In June 1864, Brandon was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
and sent to Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
where, on 23 July, he was placed in command of the Reserve Corps of Mississippi. He was later placed in charge of the Confederate Bureau of Conscription on 8 October 1864. In his own state of Mississippi, he labored to bring out every man needed for the service of the Confederacy. Brandon returned to his plantation in Wilkinsons
Wilkinson County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,312 people, 3,578 households, and 2,511 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 5,106 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
, after the war, where, despite his age and physical disability, he worked until his death.