Dedicated to Christian Larsen, a Danish Confederate

General James Jay Archer

General James Jay Archer

First general officer captured from the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee's command. He was dubbed "The Little Game Cock" by his brigade. Mexican War Veteran. US Regular Army Officer. Lawyer. Called "Sally Archer" at Princeton for his good looks.

10/24/1864Died (health broken during imprisonment).
08/19/1864Assigned consolidated Tenn/Virgina Brigade.
08/09/1864Exchanged & resumed service.
06/21/1864Sent to  Morris Island in Charleston harbor.
07/1863Imprisoned Johnson's Island Prison.
07/01/1863Captured Gettysburg.
06/03/1862Promoted brigadier general (Tenn. Bgd.).
10/02/1861Appointed Colonel 5th Texas.
05/1861Commissioned Captain CSA Provisional Army.
05/14/1861Resigned US Commission.
03/1855Commisioned Captain of the 9th US Infanry Regiment.
08/1848Discharged from service (Bvt. Maj.).
02/23/1847Commissioned Captain of Infantry Volunteers.
1835Graduated Princeton Colleg.
12/19/1817Born in  Harford County Maryland.

... the very God of war, and every inch a soldier ...

"I moved forward, under a scattering musket fire, through the tall corn to the edge of the plowed field, when I found only the right regiment (the Fourteenth Tennessee) with me, the others having fallen back to the road."General Archer's Official Report re Sharpsburg

Other Archer Links:


James J. Archer: biography
James Jay Archer Bio
Confederate Military History Archer Bio
BrigadierGeneral James Jay Archer