James B. Ricketts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James B. Ricketts
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| Born | June 21, 1817 New York City, New York |
| Died | September 22, 1887 (aged 70) Washington, D.C. |
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| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1839–1867 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | I Corps, Army of Virginia |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War Seminole Wars American Civil War |
James Brewerton Ricketts (born June 21, 1817 – died September 22, 1887) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served as a general for the Union Army during the Civil War.
During the war, he faced many challenges. At the First Battle of Bull Run, he was hurt and captured by the enemy. He was later set free in a prisoner exchange. He also fought bravely at the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Antietam. At Antietam, he was badly injured when his horse fell on him.
While he was recovering, he was part of a military court case. This case was very political, and it might have stopped him from getting promoted. Later, he led a division in the Overland Campaign. He also commanded a corps in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign under General Sheridan. There, he was shot in the chest at the Battle of Cedar Creek. This injury affected him for the rest of his life.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
James B. Ricketts was born in New York City. He studied at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1839, ranking 16th in his class. After graduation, he joined the 1st U.S. Artillery.
Ricketts was married twice. His first wife was Harriet Pierce, whom he married in 1840. They had one daughter named Mary Brewerton Ricketts. After Harriet passed away in 1854, he married Frances "Fanny" Lawrence.
He served on border duty near Canada. In April 1846, he became a first lieutenant. Ricketts fought in many battles during the Mexican–American War. He was at the Battle of Monterrey. He also commanded a gun and helped hold the Rinconada Pass during the Battle of Buena Vista. Even though he served actively, he did not receive special promotions during this war.
After the Mexican-American War, Ricketts served at different army posts. He was promoted to captain in August 1853. He then served in Florida fighting against the Seminole people. Later, he was on duty in Texas.
Civil War Service
When the Civil War began, Ricketts was serving in Washington, D.C.. He led an artillery battery (a group of cannons) that helped capture Alexandria, Virginia from the Confederates in early 1861. His battery then joined a brigade led by William B. Franklin.
First Bull Run and Capture
On July 21, 1861, Ricketts was shot four times and captured at the First Battle of Bull Run. His battery, Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery, was taken over by Confederate soldiers. Because of his bravery, he was given a special promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army on the same day.
He was held as a prisoner of war in Richmond, Virginia. His wife, Fannie, was allowed to visit and care for him as his nurse. In December 1861, he was exchanged for a Confederate colonel. Ricketts was released in January 1862 and went on medical leave to recover.
On April 30, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln made Ricketts a brigadier general of volunteers. This promotion was effective from the day of the First Battle of Bull Run.
Return to Duty and Key Battles
When Ricketts returned to duty, he commanded a division in Irvin McDowell's corps. He led his troops at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. There, he helped cover the retreat of Nathaniel P. Banks's forces.
At the Second Battle of Bull Run, his division was sent to block James Longstreet's advance. Ricketts was in danger of being surrounded and had to pull back. At the Battle of Antietam, he had two horses shot from under him. He was badly injured when the second horse fell on him.
After he recovered enough, he was appointed to a military court case involving Fitz John Porter. This trial was set up to find Porter guilty. Most judges were expected to vote guilty to please Edwin M. Stanton. Ricketts likely voted for Porter's innocence, and he was not promoted at that time.
Overland Campaign and Shenandoah Valley
Ricketts did not return to the field until March 1864. He was assigned to a division in John Sedgwick's VI Corps. He led these troops through Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. His division did not perform well at the Battle of the Wilderness. They also had no special achievements at Spotsylvania Court House.
However, Ricketts and his men fought well at the Battle of Cold Harbor in June 1864. For his brave service there, he received a special promotion to colonel in the Regular Army.
In July 1864, Ricketts and his 3,350 men were quickly sent north. Their mission was to stop Jubal Early's attack on Washington, D.C. Ricketts fought at the Battle of Monocacy under Major General Lew Wallace. His troops suffered the most losses while holding the Union's left side. For his service there, President Lincoln nominated him for a special promotion to major general of volunteers. This was confirmed in February 1865.
Ricketts also took part in Philip Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. At the Battle of Cedar Creek, he commanded the VI Corps during the early hours of the fight. He was wounded by a Minié ball (a type of bullet) through his chest. This injury left him disabled for life. Despite his poor health, he returned to command his division two days before Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House in April 1865.
After the War
In July 1865, Ricketts was given command of a district in Virginia. He held this position until April 1866, when he left the volunteer service. In April 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Ricketts for a special promotion to brigadier general in the United States Army for his brave service at Cedar Creek. This was confirmed in May 1866.
In July 1866, President Johnson nominated him for another special promotion to major general in the United States Army for his brave service in the field. This was confirmed later that month. Ricketts was also offered a position as lieutenant colonel in the 21st U.S. Infantry, but he turned it down.
Ricketts retired from active military service on January 3, 1867. This was due to the wounds he received in battle. He continued to serve on various military court cases until January 1869. He was placed on the retired list as a major general in the regular army.
Ricketts never fully recovered from the chest wound he got in the Shenandoah Valley. After retiring from the army, he lived in Washington, D.C. for the rest of his life. He passed away there on September 27, 1887. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia. His wife, Fannie, was buried next to him after she died in 1900. One of their sons, Basil Norris Ricketts, served with the Rough Riders under Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish–American War. He is also buried nearby.
Ricketts' grave marker describes his service:
Assigned to artillery on the Canadian frontier. Served through the War with Mexico. Frontier duty in Texas. Engaged in twenty seven battles of the rebellion. Was wounded five times. Prisoner of war in Richmond. Died September 27, 1887 from wounds received while commanding the Sixth Army Corps in the Shenandoah Valley. He gave his honors to the world again. His blessings part to heaven, and sleeps in peace.
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