Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Brigadier General John R. Chambliss



John R. Chambliss.

Birth Jan. 23, 1833.
Death: Aug. 16, 1864.

Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. He graduated from the US Military Academy in 1853, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Mounted Infantry and taught at the cavalry school, Pennsylvania until he resigned in 1855. Taking advantage of his military education, he returned to his home state of Virginia and served as a Major in the State Militia from 1856 to 1861. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned Colonel of the 13th Virginia Cavalry Regiment in command of the forces between Warrenton and Fredericksburg.

In April 1863, when Union Cavalry Corps tried to cut off Confederate communications with Richmond, Chambliss was prominent in turning back the movement. Promoted Brigadier General, in command of the Cavalry Brigades, he distinguished bravery in the Battles of Brandy Station, Gettysburg and the Bristoe Campaign. On August 16th, 1864, in an engagement on the Charles City Road east of Richmond, General Chambliss was killed. General David M. Gregg, a Union Cavalry General and West Point classmate of Chambliss, made sure that his body was recovered and sent home.

Truce commenced at 4 p. m. accordingly, when we met enemy's officers near Fussell's Mill; they delivered up our dead from their lines, while we did the same for them. There were no wounded living between the lines; all were dead. During this truce we delivered to the enemy the body of Brigadier-General Chamliss, of the rebel service, who, as before stated in these notes, was killed at Deep Creek, on Charles City road, on the 16th instant. His remains had been buried by our soldiers near the "Potteries" on the evening of the 16th and were taken out of the grave to-day to be given to his people. So that his family might know where he was buried.

Brigadier General John R. Chambliss was buried at "Potteries" where New Market road crosses Bailey's Creek. His gave is directly in front of the house (hotel) about thirty feet from the road; ten feet from the corner of the icehouse. He was killed on the 16th of August near Deep Creek on the Charles City road. Head-board at his grave marked as follows: Brigadier General John R. Chambliss, C. S. Army, killed in battle August 16, 1864, buried by Third Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps. ." General Chambliss' body is in closed in wooden coffin.

Emaline Ann Chambliss.

Birth: 1832.
Death: 1904.

Wife of Confederate Brigadier General John Randolph Chambliss, Jr. When her husband fell in action on August 16, 1864, his personal effects were collected. Among the most poignant of them was a book of biblical scriptures. Within this book was the written words of the slain general: "If I am killed, will some kind friend deliver this book to my dear wife? J.R.C., Jr., June 8, 1864"

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