James Jay Archer (December 19, 1817 – October 24, 1864) was a lawyer and an officer in the United States Army during the Mexican War and in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Gettysburg, Archer was the first general captured from Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. December 19 is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The United States Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The Mexican-American War was a war fought between the United States and Mexico between 1846 and 1848. ... Some Confederate soldiers The Confederate States Army (CSA) was formed in February 1861 to defend the Confederate States of America, which had itself been formed that same year when seven southern states seceded from the United States (with four more to follow). ... Combatants Union (remaining U.S. states) Confederate States of America Commanders Abraham Lincoln† Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties KIA: 110,000 Total dead: 360,000 Wounded: 275,200 KIA: 94,000 Total dead: 258,000 Wounded: 137,000+  The... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George G. Meade Robert E. Lee Strength 83,289 75,054 Casualties 23,049 (3,155 killed, 14,529 wounded, 5,365 captured/missing) 28,000 (3,500 killed, 18,000 wounded, 6,500 captured/missing) The Battle of Gettysburg... Robert E. Lee, 1863 Portrait by Julian Vannerson Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 10, 1872) was a career army officer and the most successful general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. ... The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War in the eastern theater. ...

Early life

Archer was born in Bel Air, Maryland, to a wealthy military family. He graduated from Princeton in 1835 before attending Bacon College in Georgetown, Kentucky. Nicknamed "Sally" for his frail and slight physique, he studied law at the University of Maryland and passed the bar exam. He established a successful law practice. When war with Mexico erupted, he volunteered as a captain and served in the U.S. Army in numerous battles, being cited for bravery at Chapultepec and breveted to the rank of major. Returning to Maryland, Archer resumed his law practice, but decided in 1855 to join the Regular Army as a captain in the 9th U.S. Infantry. Bel Air is the name of two places in the State of Maryland in the United States of America: Bel Air, Allegany County, Maryland Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Princeton University is a coeducational private university located on an extensive campus in and around suburban Princeton, New Jersey. ... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Georgetown is a city located in Scott County, Kentucky. ... University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park (also known as UM, UMD, or UMCP) is a public coeducational university situated in suburban College Park, Maryland just outside Washington, D.C. The flagship institution of the University System of Maryland, the university is most often referred to... Captain is both a nautical term and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Winfield Scott Nicolás Bravo Strength 7,200 16,000 Casualties 130 killed 703 wounded 29 missing 862 total 1,800 killed and wounded 823 captured 2,623 Total {{{notes}}} The Battle of Chapultepec took place in September 1847 during the Mexican-American War, at... The word brevet has several meanings: In the military, brevet refers to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to temporarily hold a higher rank, without a corresponding pay increase. ... Major is a military rank denoting an officer of mid-level command status. ... 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Civil War

When the war began, Archer was stationed in Fort Walla Walla in the Washington Territory. He resigned his commission in March 1861, travelled to the South, and joined the Confederate Army as a captain in the Provisional Army. He soon was named Colonel of the 5th Texas, serving in the brigade organized by former Texas Sen. Louis T. Wigfall. After Brig. Gen. John Bell Hood assumed command, the Texas brigade fought in the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia. Archer served with distinction at Eltham's Landing and Seven Pines, but never found favor in the eyes of his Texans, who thought him a "tyrant." Fort Walla Walla is a fort located in Walla Walla, Washington. ... Categories: Historical stubs | Washington history | U.S. historical regions and territories ... Colonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Brigade is a term from military science which refers to a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). ... Louis T. (Trezevant) Wigfall (April 21, 1816 - February 18, 1874) was an American politician from Texas he served as a member of the Texas Legislature, U.S. and Confederate Senates. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... John Bell Hood John Bell Hood (June 1, 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... McClellan and Johnston of the Peninsula Campaign The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular 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. ... Official language(s) English Capital Largest city Richmond Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 110,862 km²  - Width 320 km  - Length 690 km  - % water 7. ... Battle of Elthams Landing Conflict American Civil War Date May 7, 1862 Place New Kent County, Virginia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Eltham’s Landing, also known as the Battle of Barhamsville, or West Point, took place on May 7, 1862 in New Kent County, Virginia as part of... The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place from May 31 – June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. ...

He was promoted to brigadier general on June 3, 1862, and initially given command of three regiments from Tennessee, whose commander, Robert H. Hatton, had been killed at Seven Pines. Later in June, Archer's brigade joined five others to form the "Light Division" under Maj. Gen. Ambrose P. Hill. Soon, two more regiments were added to Archer's brigade, which fought well in the Seven Days' Battles, at Cedar Mountain, and at Second Bull Run, where his horse was killed under him. His men dubbed him "The Little Gamecock" for his slight build and fierce attitude in combat. June 3 is the 154th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (155th in leap years), with 211 days remaining. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 36th 109,247 km² 195 km 710 km 2. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Ambrose Powell Hill Ambrose Powell Hill (November 9, 1825 – April 2, 1865), was a Confederate States of America general in the American Civil War. ... Battle of Cedar Mountain Conflict American Civil War Date August 9, 1862 Place Culpeper County, Virginia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Cedar Mountain, also known as the Battle of Slaughters Mountain or Cedar Run, took place on August 9, 1862 in Culpeper County, Virginia as part of the... Second Battle of Bull Run Conflict American Civil War Date August 28–30, 1862 Place Prince William County Result Confederate victory The Second Battle of Manassas, known as the Second Battle of Bull Run in the North, was a battle during the American Civil War. ...

During the Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Archer was suffering from an illness that forced him to direct his brigade from an ambulance, being too sick to ride his horse. His men made a forced march from Harpers Ferry and arrived in Sharpsburg on the left flank of the Union IX Corps. In a fierce assault, Archer drove back the enemy and recaptured a Confederate artillery battery. Three days later at the Battle of Shepherdstown, Archer and Brig. Gen. William Dorsey Pender led an attack that drove a Union pursuit force back across the Potomac River, enabling Lee's army to slip away into Virginia. Despite his continued ill health, Archer's leadership contributed to victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Confederate dead at Antietam The Maryland Campaign, or the Antietam Campaign, was a series of battles fought in September, 1862—Robert E. Lees first invasion of the North—during the American Civil War. ... Harpers Ferry is the name of several places in the United States of America: Harpers Ferry, Iowa Harpers Ferry, West Virginia There was also John Browns raid on the armory at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia as well as a Battle of Harpers Ferry in the American Civil War. ... Sharpsburg is a town located in Washington County, Maryland. ... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... IX Corps (Ninth Corps) was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War that distinguished itself in combat in multiple theaters: the Carolinas, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... Battle of Shepherdstown Conflict American Civil War Date September 19-20, 1862 Place Jefferson County, West Virginia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Shepherdstown, also known as the Battle of Botelers Ford, took place from September 19-20, 1862 in Jefferson County, West Virginia as part of the Maryland... William Dorsey Pender William Dorsey Pender (February 6, 1834 – July 18, 1863) was one of the youngest, and most promising, generals fighting for the Confederacy in the American Civil War. ... The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States (USA). ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ambrose E. Burnside Robert E. Lee Strength Army of the Potomac ~114,000 engaged Army of Northern Virginia ~72,500 engaged Casualties 12,653 (1,284 killed, 9,600 wounded, 1,769 captured/missing) 5,377 (608 killed, 4,116... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Joseph Hooker Robert E. Lee Stonewall Jackson† Strength 133,868 60,892 Casualties 16,839 (1,574 killed, 9,554 wounded, 5,711 missing) 13,156 (1,683 killed, 9,277 wounded, 2,196 missing) The Battle of Chancellorsville was...

During the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, Archer's health continued to deteriorate as a result of long marches in the summer heat and humidity. His brigade was now part of the division of Henry Heth. Arriving at Gettysburg on July 1, Archer's troops were engaged with Federal cavalry under John Buford for over two hours, before being counterattacked by rapidly arriving Union infantry, including the famed Iron Brigade. Archer's men killed Union commander Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, but were quickly pushed back across Willoughby Run, where the exhausted Archer took cover in a thicket. A Union soldier seized Archer and escorted him behind enemy lines, where he briefly met an old colleague, Abner Doubleday. Archer became the first general officer to be taken captive since General Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Birkett D. Fry assumed command of Archer's Brigade and led it during Pickett's Charge, while Archer and his younger brother and aide-de-camp Robert Harris Archer (1820–1878) were sent to Fort Delaware for processing. 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Eastern Theater operations in 1863, showing Chancellorsville and the Gettysburg Campaign (through July 3) The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of battles fought in June and July, 1863, during the American Civil War. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to fifteen thousand soldiers. ... Henry Heth Henry Heth (December 16, 1825 – September 27, 1899) was a career U.S. Army officer and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. ... July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... John F. Buford (March 4, 1826 – December 16, 1863) was an American cavalry officer during the American Civil War. ... Counterattack is a military science term for a type of attack by defending force against an enemy attacking force. ... The Iron Brigade was an infantry brigade in the Union Army during the American Civil War, consisting primarily of Western regiments, that was noted for its ability to withstand almost any fire, and its regiments combined took the highest casualty percentage of the war. ... Maj. ... Abner Doubleday Abner Doubleday (June 26, 1819 – January 26, 1893), was a career U.S. Army officer and Union general in the American Civil War. ... Birkett Davenport Fry (June 24, 1822 – January 21 or February 5, 1891) was a lawyer, cotton manufacturer, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. ... Map of Picketts Charge, July 3, 1863. ... An aide-de-camp (French: camp assistant) is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state. ... Fort Delaware is a harbor defense facility built in 1859 on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. ...

Archer, along with many other officers captured at Gettysburg, was eventually sent to the Johnson's Island prisoner of war camp in Lake Erie, where his health rapidly declined with from exposure to the inclement Ohio weather. He wrote a letter to the Confederate War Department in which he advocated a plot to overthrow the guards, but the conspirators would require assistance from the government to get the men back home. After a stay of nearly a year, he was sent, along with 600 officers from various prisons, to Fort Delaware, in accordance with a scheme to reship them to Morris Island in South Carolina, a place under constant fire from Union warships. Archer and the others would be hostages to prevent further shelling. This plan did not materialize. Archer was finally exchanged late in the summer of 1864, and rejoined the army, briefly commanding two brigades in the Siege of Petersburg before his health finally collapsed after the Battle of Peebles' Farm. He died in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery. Archer never married. Johnsons Island was the site of a prisoner-of-war camp for Confederate officers captured during the American Civil War. ... Prisoner of War camps Contents // Categories: Substubs | Prisons and detention centres ... Lake Erie, looking southward from a high rural bluff near Leamington, Ontario Lake Erie (pronounced ) is one of the five large freshwater Great Lakes in North America, which are among the largest in the world. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus (largest metropolitan area is Cleveland) Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 34th 116,096 km² 355 km 355 km 8. ... Morris Island in South Carolina, USA, is an 840 acre uninhabited island in Charleston Harbor, accessible only by boat. ... Official language(s) English Capital Largest city Columbia Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi  (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32°430N to 35°12N  - Longitude 78°030W to 83°20W... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant Robert E. Lee Strength average of 86,000 average of 52,000 Casualties 7,850 in the trenches (see main battle articles for further casualties) unknown The Siege of Petersburg (June 15, 1864 – April 2, 1865) was... The Battle of Peebles Farm (or Poplar Springs Church) was the western part of a simultaneous Union offensive against the Confederate works guarding Petersburg, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia. ... Nickname: River City Motto: Sic Itur Ad Astra Official website: http://www. ... A view of Hollywood Cemetery and Presidents Circle Hollywood Cemetery is a large, sprawling cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, characterized by rolling hills and winding paths overlooking the James River. ...

References and links

• "Brigadier General James T. Archer." Confederate Veteran Vol. 8, No. 2, 1900.
• Tagg, Larry, The Generals of Gettysburg, Savas Publishing, 1998, ISBN 1-882810-30-9.
• Warner, Ezra J., Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders, Louisiana State University Press, 1959, ISBN 0-8071-0823-5.

• Photo gallery of Archer