Rice E. Graves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rice Evan Graves, Jr.
|
|
|---|---|
Major Graves portrait, 1862
|
|
| Born | June 23, 1838 Rockbridge, Virginia |
| Died | September 20, 1863 (aged 25) Ringgold, Tennessee |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | 2nd Kentucky Infantry |
| Commands held | Graves' Battery Artillery Btln, Breckinridge's Division |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Rice Evan Graves, Jr. (born June 23, 1838 – died September 20, 1863) was a brave artillery officer who fought for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He sadly lost his life in the Battle of Chickamauga.
Contents
Early Life and Family Challenges
Rice Graves, Jr. was born in Rockbridge, Virginia. When he was young, his family planned to move to St. Louis, Missouri. In 1844, they boarded a riverboat called the "Star of the West" on the Ohio River.
During their journey, a scary accident happened. The "Star of the West" crashed into another boat and sank. Luckily, Rice's parents saved themselves and their eight children. But they lost everything they owned.
After this event, the family decided to stay in Cloverport, Kentucky. His father rented a farm there. Later, they moved to Daviess County, Kentucky, where they bought land.
The Graves family grew to include eleven children. Because there were so many, getting a good education was hard. All the children were expected to help with farm work. Rice Graves, Jr. attended the Owensboro Academy for three semesters.
West Point Training
Rice E. Graves, Jr. earned a special scholarship to attend the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. This scholarship was given to him by Samuel O. Peyton, a Congressman from Kentucky.
He was part of the class of 1863. However, he left West Point in 1861 to join the Confederate States of America Army. The two years he spent at West Point helped him prepare for his future military career.
Service in the Confederate Army
Graves joined the 2nd Kentucky Infantry at Camp Boone, Tennessee. He quickly became the Regimental Adjutant, a key administrative role. In November 1861, he was promoted to Captain. He was then put in charge of Graves' Battery, an artillery unit.
He became known as a very skilled artillery leader. Because of his talent, he was promoted to the rank of Major in October 1862. He served as the chief of artillery for General John C. Breckinridge's division.
Major Graves fought in many important battles during the Civil War. These included:
- The battle at Fort Donelson, Tennessee
- The Battle of Shiloh
- The Siege of Vicksburg
- The Battle of Stones River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he was wounded twice
- The Battle of Jackson, Mississippi
A Hero's End
Major Graves was seriously wounded during the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. He was taken to a field hospital. It is believed he lived for more than just a few hours after being wounded.
He was likely still alive when General Breckinridge's troops left the area. He probably died in one of the hospitals in the nearby town of Ringgold a day or two later. He was buried in the Citizen's Cemetery in Ringgold. Sadly, the exact spot where he was buried was lost over the years.
General John C. Breckinridge wrote about Major Graves in his official report after the battle. He said, "One member of my staff I cannot thank; Major Rice Graves received a mortal wound on the (Sunday morning) September 20th (1863). Although a very young man he gave promise of the highest distinction. A truer friend, a purer patriot, a better soldier, never lived."
Remembering Major Graves
On September 21, 1900, a group called the Breckinridge Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) honored Major Graves. They unveiled the first Confederate monument by their organization in Kentucky.
C.H. Todd, a commander of the Rice E. Graves United Confederate Veterans Camp #1121, spoke at the event. He said he could not remember any other soldier who impressed him so much and quickly became his friend during the war.
In 1996, on the anniversary of his death, a military grave marker for Major Graves was placed. Members of the General Ben Hardin Helm Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp put it in the center of the Ringgold cemetery.
