Joel Allen Battle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joel Allen Battle
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| Nickname(s) | Grandpa, Grand Old Man |
| Born | September 19, 1811 Davidson County, Tennessee |
| Died | August 23, 1872 (aged 60) Tennessee |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America
 Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Tennessee Militia Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1835 (USA) 1861-1863 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Brigadier General (USA) 1835 Colonel (CSA) |
| Commands held | 20th Tennessee Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Second Seminole War American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Searcy Battle Adeline Sanders Mosley Battle |
| Relations | 7 children |
| Other work | slave owner, landowner, prison superintendent |
Joel Allen Battle (born September 19, 1811 – died August 23, 1872) was an American politician and soldier. He was appointed a general in the Tennessee militia in 1835. This was during the Second Seminole War. Later, he served as a colonel in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
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Early Life and Career
Joel Battle was born in Davidson County, Tennessee, on September 19, 1811. He became an orphan when he was very young. Despite this, he became a very wealthy man.
When he was 19, he married Sarah Searcy. They had a son named William. Sadly, Sarah passed away two years later. Joel Battle then formed a military company for the Second Seminole War. By 1835, he was promoted to brigadier general in the Tennessee Militia.
He later married Adeline Sanders Mosley. Together, they had six more children. Battle was also elected to the Tennessee General Assembly. He became a popular member of the Whig political party.
Service in the Civil War
In April 1861, the American Civil War began. Joel Battle quickly formed a group of soldiers in Nolensville, Tennessee. He called them the Zollicoffer Guards. This was to honor Felix Zollicoffer, a friend he had fought with in Florida.
Battle's company became part of the 20th Tennessee Infantry. He was made its colonel. His regiment joined a larger group led by his friend Zollicoffer.
Battles and Losses
During the Battle of Mill Springs, Zollicoffer was killed. Battle's son, Lieutenant Joel Battle Jr., was also wounded. He was serving as an assistant to his father.
Later, at the Battle of Shiloh, Colonel Battle lost two of his sons. Joel Jr. and William both died in this battle. Colonel Battle himself was wounded and captured while searching for his sons. William's body was never found. Joel Jr. was found by a Union soldier named John Calvin Lewis. Lewis buried Joel Jr. in a private grave out of respect.
After being captured, Colonel Battle was sent to Johnson's Island. This effectively ended his military career.
Family Challenges During War
After being exchanged for other prisoners, Battle became the state treasurer of Tennessee. He held this job until the war ended.
His son, Frank Battle, was also captured during the war. The Union side used Frank as a way to get Captain Shad Harris back. Captain Harris was a Confederate spy who faced execution. Joel Allen Battle agreed to the trade. President Abraham Lincoln approved this prisoner exchange.
Battle also faced trouble when his daughter Fannie was arrested. She and her friend Harriet Booker were imprisoned in Camp Chase. They were suspected of being Confederate spies.
Later Life
After the war, Joel Battle was appointed superintendent of the Tennessee State Prison. He kept this important job until he passed away. He died on August 23, 1872.
