Peter A. S. McGlashan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Alexander Selkirk McGlashan
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Colonel McGlashan
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| Born | May 19, 1831 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | June 13, 1908 (aged 77) Isle of Hope, Georgia, US |
| Buried |
Laurel Grove Cemetery
Savannah, Georgia |
| Allegiance |  Nicaragua Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
.svg){kind=small} Walker's Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1856–1857 (Nicaragua) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank |
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| Unit | 29th Georgia Infantry |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | Filibuster War American Civil War
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| Spouse(s) | Anne Willis McGlashan (nee Seixas) |
| Other work | mayor, store owner |
Peter Alexander Selkirk McGlashan (born May 19, 1831 – died June 13, 1908) was an important officer in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He became a brigadier general in April 1865. This made him the very last general appointed by the Confederacy.
Contents
Early Life and Adventures
Peter A.S. McGlashan was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 19, 1831. His father, James McGlashan, was a soldier who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and the famous Battle of Waterloo.
In 1848, when Peter was 17, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia in the United States. A year later, he joined the exciting California Gold Rush, hoping to find gold. However, he didn't have much luck and returned home.
In 1856, Peter joined an army led by William Walker. He fought in a conflict called the Filibuster War in Nicaragua. After this war ended, he settled in Thomasville, Georgia, and opened his own store.
Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War started in 1861, McGlashan joined the Confederate States Army. He began as a private soldier in the 29th Georgia Infantry Regiment. He quickly showed his skills and was promoted to sergeant.
On March 4, 1862, he became a first lieutenant in the newly formed 50th Georgia Infantry. This regiment first defended the coast near Savannah. Later, it moved to Richmond, Virginia, and joined the Army of Northern Virginia. They became part of General James Longstreet's First Corps, where they stayed for the entire war.
Rising Through the Ranks
McGlashan gained a lot of experience fighting in battles across Northern Virginia and Maryland. In October 1862, he was promoted to captain. Just a few months later, in February 1863, he became a major. His regiment also fought in the Battle of Chancellorsville.
The Battle of Gettysburg
At the famous Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, McGlashan's regiment had 302 soldiers ready to fight. On the second day of the battle, July 2, his brigade was called to the front lines. They fought bravely against Union soldiers near the Wheatfield.
During the intense fighting, the commander of the 50th Georgia was wounded. McGlashan took temporary command of the regiment. He was later promoted to lieutenant colonel. The battle was very costly, and his regiment suffered many losses. After the regiment's main commander left due to health reasons, McGlashan was chosen to lead the regiment. He was promoted to colonel.
Later Campaigns and Promotion
Colonel McGlashan and the 50th Georgia then moved west with General Longstreet's corps. They fought in the Chattanooga and Knoxville campaigns.
In 1864, they returned east and fought in the Overland Campaign. McGlashan was wounded at the Battle of Cedar Creek, but he recovered quickly. He continued to serve in the Petersburg Campaign. He sometimes commanded both the 50th and the 10th Georgia Infantry regiments.
In April 1865, just before the war ended, Confederate President Jefferson Davis signed an order promoting McGlashan to brigadier general. However, the order was not officially delivered or confirmed by the Confederate Congress in time. This makes him the last general appointed by the Confederacy.
At the Battle of Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865, McGlashan was captured and became a prisoner of war. He was held in prisons in Washington, D.C., and later on Johnson's Island in Ohio. He was released on July 25, 1865, after the war ended.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Peter McGlashan returned to Thomasville, Georgia. In early 1866, he was elected mayor of the city. As mayor, he helped create the fire department and worked to keep order during a difficult time. He also helped stabilize the city's money.
He later moved back to Savannah in 1885 and became active in the United Confederate Veterans, an organization for former Confederate soldiers. He led the Savannah group and became its president for Georgia.
Peter McGlashan's wife, Anne Willis McGlashan, passed away in 1905. Peter McGlashan died on June 13, 1908, during a trip to the Isle of Hope near Savannah, when he drowned close to the beach. He was buried next to his wife in Laurel Grove Cemetery.
See also
- 50th Georgia Infantry
Resources
- Tucker, Phillip T. (2014). Burnside's Bridge: The Climactic Struggle of the 2nd and 20th Georgia at Antietam Creek. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-4536-9.
- United Confederate Veterans, Georgia Division. Official Programme and Guide Book, Reunion (Year Unknown), Georgia Division (2013 Reprint ed.). London: Forgotten Books.
- Eicher, John H.; Eicher, David (2001). Civil War High Commands. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
- Smith, Carl (1998). Gettysburg 1863: High tide of the Confederacy. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-8553-2953-0.
- Vanderslice, John M. (1897). A History of the Gettysburg Battle-Field Memorial Association. PA: Pennsylvania State Press. ISBN 0-2710-4636-8.
- Young, Jesse Bowman (1913). The Battle of Gettysburg: A Comprehensive Narrative. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan.
- "Report 301.". The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Volume XL, Part 1). 1892.
- Cook, Jacquelyn (2009). The Greenwood Legacy. Memphis, TN: BelleBooks. ISBN 978-1-9356-6145-0.
- "Body of M'Glashan is laid to rest". Atlanta Georgian and News. 15 June 1908.
