Facts, information and articles about Lewis Armistead, a Civil War General during the American Civil War

Lewis Armistead Facts

Lewis A. ArmsteadBorn

February 18, 1817 New Bern, North Carolina

Died

July 5, 1863 (aged 46) Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Years Of Service

1839–61 (USA)
1861–63 (CSA)

Rank

Captain (USA)
Brigadier General (CSA)

Commands

Mexican-American War
Battle of Chapultepec
Mohave War
Battle of the Colorado River
American Civil War
Battle of Seven Pines
Seven Days Battles
Battle of Malvern Hill
Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Gettysburg

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Lewis Armistead summary: Lewis Addison Armistead (1817 -1863) born to Walker Keith Armistead and Elizabeth Stanley Armistead and was of English decent. He attended the United States Military Academy but was soon dismissed for allegedly breaking a plate over the head of one of a fellow cadet, Jubal Early. He managed to join the 6th U.S. Infantry through his influential father, who he also fought under during the Seminole War. He then went to battle in the Mexican-American War where he was decorated for his bravery.

Lewis Armistead In The Civil War

As the Civil War broke, Armistead resigned from the U.S. Army in May 1861. He then became a colonel of the 57th Virginia Infantry. The following year, Armistead became a brigadier general in Pickets Division. He led his brigade in the Battle of Malvern Hill and achieved victories at Fredricksburg and Chancellorsville.

His actions during Pickett’s Charge on the 3rd day of the Battle of Gettysburg is where Armistead is mostly remembered for. He fixed his hat on the tip of his sword and waved it in the air as he led his men toward the fortified Union Center. They reached a stone wall known as the Angle and were overwhelmed by the Union forces. He was shot three times and taken to a hospital where he died three days later aged just 46.

The surgeon who tended to Armistead’s wounds had expected him to survive. He said the wounds were found in the fleshy part of the arm and just below his knee. The wounds were not fatal. The chief surgeon wrote the death “was not from his wounds directly, but from secondary fever and prostration”.


 

Articles Featuring Lewis Armistead From HistoryNet Magazines

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