15 Facts About Edmund Rucker

Edmund Winchester Rucker was a Confederate officer during the American Civil War.

Edmund Rucker was born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on July 22,1835.

Edmund Rucker was the city engineer of Memphis during the late 1850s.

Edmund Rucker's company worked three 8-inch Columbiads and three 32-pounders as part of the garrison during the Battle of Island Number Ten.

Edmund Rucker was transferred to the cavalry with the rank of major and assigned to enforce conscription laws in East Tennessee.

In early 1863 Edmund Rucker was promoted to colonel and given command of the newly created 1st East Tennessee Legion, known as Edmund Rucker's Legion.

In February 1864 Edmund Rucker was assigned to Forrest's Cavalry Corps in Mississippi and given a brigade under General Abraham Buford, consisting of the 8th and 18th Mississippi and 7th Tennessee Cavalry Regiments.

Edmund Rucker participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and was wounded and captured in the latter.

Edmund Rucker had his left arm amputated and was imprisoned at Johnson's Island in Ohio.

General Nathan Bedford Forrest organized a prisoner exchange for him and Edmund Rucker was with the army again when it surrendered at Gainesville, Alabama, on May 9,1865.

Edmund Rucker relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, in the early 1880s, building his home in the neighborhood now called Five Points.

Edmund Rucker worked with former General Joseph E Johnston and became an industrial magnate, dealing with coal, steel, sales and land as well as being in the banking business.

The Episcopalian Rucker was married twice, first to Mary Adele Woodfin in 1873, and after her death to Mary T Bentley in 1886.

Edmund Rucker had a son and three daughters with his first wife.

Edmund Rucker died on April 24,1924, and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.