24 Facts About Lafayette McLaws

Lafayette McLaws was a United States Army officer and a Confederate general in the American Civil War.

Lafayette McLaws graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1842, placing 48th out of 56 cadets.

At the start of the Civil War, resigning as a US Army captain, Lafayette McLaws was commissioned a major in the Confederate States Army.

Lafayette McLaws was quickly promoted to colonel of the 10th Georgia Infantry regiment; then quickly again to brigadier general in brigade and division command in the Seven Days Battles; then, on May 23,1862, to major general.

At the Battle of Fredericksburg, Lafayette McLaws's Division was one of the defenders of Marye's Heights, and he satisfied Lee with his ferocious defensive performance.

At Chancellorsville, while the rest of Longstreet's corps was detached for duty near Suffolk, Virginia, Lafayette McLaws fought directly under Lee's command.

Lafayette McLaws did accomplish this, but Lee was disappointed that McLaws had not attacked more aggressively and caused more harm to Sedgwick's corps instead of letting him escape across the Rappahannock River.

Lafayette McLaws achieved great success in the areas known as the Wheatfield and the Peach Orchard, but the army as a whole was unable to dislodge the Union forces from their positions on Cemetery Ridge.

Lafayette McLaws's division did not participate in Pickett's Charge the next day, despite Longstreet's command of that assault.

Lafayette McLaws accompanied Longstreet's corps to Tennessee to come to the aid of General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee.

Lafayette McLaws arrived too late to lead his division at Chickamauga, where Brig.

The courts-martial of Robertson and Lafayette McLaws convened in Morristown, Tennessee, on February 12,1864, with Maj.

Lafayette McLaws was bitter about his fate, claiming Longstreet had used him as a scapegoat for the failed Knoxville Campaign.

Lafayette McLaws left the First Corps, and since Lee would not accept him for command in Virginia, he proceeded to Savannah, which he could not defend successfully against Maj.

Lafayette McLaws next saw active service opposing Sherman's advance into the Carolinas.

Lafayette McLaws's forces delayed the Federal crossing of the Salkehatchie River until they found other crossings and turned his right flank.

Lafayette McLaws's division was little engaged at Bentonville because of vague orders.

Joseph E Johnston reorganized the army, McLaws lost his command assignment.

Lafayette McLaws was assigned command of the District of Georgia after Bentonville.

Lafayette McLaws may have surrendered with Johnston's army in North Carolina on April 26,1865; however, there is no record of his parole.

On October 18,1865, Lafayette McLaws was pardoned by the US government.

Lafayette McLaws was a part owner of the Atlantic and Mexican Gulf Canal Company, a canal project approved in 1876.

Lafayette McLaws died in Savannah and is buried there in Laurel Grove Cemetery.

Lafayette McLaws played a key role in the construction nearby of the Williamsburg Line, 4 miles of defensive works across the Virginia Peninsula, which played a crucial role in the Battle of Williamsburg of the 1862 Peninsula Campaign.