Preston Pond Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Preston Pond Jr.
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| Born | September 9, 1823 Hinsdale, New Hampshire |
| Died | June 15, 1864 (aged 40) |
| Buried |
Old Jackson Cemetery
Jackson, Louisiana |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Service/ |
 Confederate Army |
| Years of service | 1861–62 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Colonel (Louisiana Militia) Colonel |
| Commands held | 21st Louisiana Militia Regiment 16th Louisiana Infantry Regiment Pond's Brigade |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Preston Pond Jr. (born September 9, 1823 – died June 15, 1864) was a lawyer and politician from Louisiana. He served as a high-ranking officer, a colonel, in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
Preston Pond's Early Life and Family
Preston Pond Jr. was born in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, on September 9, 1823. His parents were Dr. Preston Pond Sr. and Adeline Stebbins Wright. When he was a child, his family moved to Jackson, Louisiana. There, his father continued his work as a doctor.
Preston grew up with his parents and four brothers and sisters. All three of his brothers later served in the Confederate States Army. Henry L. was a first lieutenant, and Charles L. was a corporal. Their youngest brother, Dana B. Pond, was a private. He was captured during the Siege of Vicksburg but later released.
Pond married Emelie Cooper in 1846. Later, in 1852, he married Adelaide Alice Woodward. They had one daughter together, Adelaide Jane Pond, born in 1856.
Preston Pond's Career in Law and Politics
By 1850, Preston Pond Jr. became a lawyer. He practiced law in Jackson, Louisiana. Around 1860, he moved to Clinton, Louisiana. Besides being a lawyer, he also started farming.
Pond entered politics and was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1851. This is a group of people who make laws for the state of Louisiana. In 1855, he tried to become a member of the United States Congress, which makes laws for the whole country. However, he did not win that election.
Pond also served as an officer in the Louisiana Militia. This was a local military group. By 1849, he was a major, and by 1860, he became a colonel in the 21st Regiment.
Preston Pond's Role in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began and Louisiana left the United States, the state's militia was organized. Pond's 21st Regiment was part of a larger group called the 3rd Division. On April 3, 1861, he was also named the division's inspector general.
Pond and his men went to Camp Moore for training. On September 26, 1861, the 16th Louisiana Infantry Regiment was formed. The soldiers chose Pond to be their colonel. He spent months training his men very well. In November 1861, his regiment moved to Camp Chalmette near New Orleans. Life there was tough, with poor housing and sickness.
In February 1862, Pond's 16th Infantry was grouped with other regiments. This group was led by Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles. They were sent to Corinth, Mississippi. The conditions there were still difficult. Pond eventually commanded a brigade, which is a large group of soldiers. His brigade included the 16th, 18th, and Crescent Louisiana Regiments, along with other units.
Preston Pond at the Battle of Shiloh
On April 6, 1862, Pond's Brigade was on the far left side of the Confederate army during the Battle of Shiloh. This was a very important battle. General Albert Sidney Johnston, the Confederate commander, ordered Pond to capture a bridge.
Pond's soldiers successfully pushed back enemy forces and took over their camps. Later, his brigade advanced again. They faced heavy fire from the enemy and even some accidental fire from their own side. This caused confusion, and Pond had to pull his troops back.
Around 4:00 p.m., Pond's Brigade was ordered to charge up a hill to break the enemy's line. Pond was hesitant, but he gave the order. The attack was difficult, and his brigade suffered many losses. They had to fall back. Pond reorganized his men and held their position until night.
On April 7, Pond's Brigade came under fire again. Pond realized his right side was not protected, so he quickly moved his brigade to a safer spot. During the day, Pond's brigade was moved around several times to support different parts of the Confederate line.
Finally, General P. G. T. Beauregard ordered Pond's Brigade to return to headquarters. There, Pond's men and other units formed a rear guard. This helped the Confederate army retreat safely. Pond reported that his brigade had 597 casualties, with 90 from his own 16th Louisiana Regiment.
Preston Pond's Later Life and Death
After the Battle of Shiloh, the 16th Infantry had to reorganize. Preston Pond was not re-elected as colonel. He resigned from the army on May 8, 1862.
He returned home to Clinton, Louisiana. He started farming again and reopened his law practice. He also re-entered politics and became a Louisiana State Senator.
Preston Pond Jr. died on June 15, 1864. He is buried in the Old Jackson Cemetery in Jackson, Louisiana.
