General Samuel Garland Killed at the Battle of South
Mountain
Samuel Garland, Jr., VMI Class of 1849, served as a Colonel in the 11th
Virginia Infantry and led his regiment at 1st Manassas. He was promoted to Brigadier General in May 1862 and commanded his brigade at Seven Pines, Gaines's Mill, and Malvern Hill.
Garland was mortally wounded on Sept 14, 1862, at South Mountain and is buried at Lynchburg, Virginia.
Garland's commission was dated May 8, 1861, and reflects that he was
appointed a Colonel in the Virginia Volunteer Forces. The document was signed by Governor John Letcher and there is an endorsement
on the back by Lewis B. Butler, Justice of the Peace for Prince William County, certifying that Garland took various prescribed
oaths.
Samuel Garland, VMI Class of 1849
Biographical Information
- Early Life
Samuel Garland, born December 16, 1830,
at Lynchburg, Virginia. Parents: Maurice Garland, an attorney, and Caroline M. Garland. Maternal grandparents: Spottswood
Garland and Lucinda Rose. Before enrolling at VMI Samuel attended Randolph Macon College.
- VMI record
Matriculated on October 22, 1846, at
age 16; was graduated on July 4, 1849, standing 3rd in a class of 24.
- Marriage
Elizabeth Campbell Meem in 1856; she died
on June 12, 1861; their only child, Samuel, died in August 1861.
- Pre-Civil War
Studied law at University of Virginia;
practiced in Lynchburg, VA. Following John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry in 1859, Garland organized the Lynchburg Home Guard.
- Civil War
Colonel, 11th Virginia Infantry Regiment;
led his regiment 1st Manassas; wounded at Williamsburg but did not leave field; promoted to Brigadier General in May 1862
and commanded his brigade at Seven Pines, Gaines's Mill, and Malvern Hill; mortally wounded on Sept 14, 1862, at South Mountain;
buried Lynchburg, VA.
Credit: Virginia Military Institute
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