William E. Starke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Edwin Starke
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William Edwin Starke
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| Born | 1814 Brunswick County, Virginia |
| Died | September 17, 1862 (aged 47–48) Antietam Battlefield, Maryland |
| Place of burial |
Hollywood Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–62 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | Army of Northern Virginia |
| Commands held | Second Louisiana Brigade Stonewall Division (temporary) |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Peter Burwell Starke, brother |
| Other work | stagecoach operator, cotton broker |
William Edwin Starke (born 1814, died September 17, 1862) was a rich businessman from the Gulf Coast. He became a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was killed in battle at the Battle of Antietam. At that time, he was leading the famous "Stonewall Division." This unit was first made famous by General Stonewall Jackson.
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Early Life and Business
Starke was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. His younger brother, Peter Burwell Starke, also became a general in the Confederate army. Peter also became a politician in Mississippi.
Before the Civil War, William and his brother worked in their family's stagecoach business. This business ran between Lawrenceville and Petersburg, Virginia. In 1840, William Starke moved to the southern United States. He became a very successful cotton broker in Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1858, he bought a ship called the SS Texas Ranger. He used this ship to carry cotton to his customers.
Starke was married to Louisa Grey Hicks. Her father was a well-known businessman from Brunswick County. Their daughter, Sallie, was born in Melrose, Alabama.
Military Service in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, William Starke joined the army. Even without formal military training, he was made a lieutenant colonel of the 53rd Virginia Infantry. Later, he served as an aide-de-camp (an assistant) to General Robert S. Garnett in western Virginia. After General Garnett died in the Battle of Corrick's Ford, Starke was without a position. However, his calm actions during the confusion were highly praised. He also briefly worked for General Robert E. Lee in August 1861.
Later that year, he became a colonel of the 60th Virginia Infantry. He led this regiment during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862. He was hurt in his hand during the Seven Days Battles on June 26, 1862. He returned to duty after three days but later had to leave command.
Promotion to General
Because of his brave actions in battle, Starke was praised twice. He was then promoted to brigadier general on August 6, 1862. He was given command of the Second Louisiana Brigade. He also led the Stonewall Division during the Second Battle of Manassas. This happened after General Taliaferro was wounded. For reasons not fully known, General Jackson did not keep Starke in permanent command. Instead, he appointed a staff officer named John R. Jones.
Death at Antietam
In mid-September, Starke's Brigade was part of General Stonewall Jackson's forces. They captured a large Union army group at Harpers Ferry. After this, they marched to Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 16. On the morning of September 17, a strong attack by the Union pushed back the Confederate lines. Starke was shot three times and died within an hour. He was one of six generals who were killed or badly wounded at Antietam.
His body was buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. He was buried next to his son, who had died three and a half months earlier at the Battle of Seven Pines.
Remembering General Starke
Colonel Bradley T. Johnson wrote about Starke's death in his official report. He said that Starke was a brave soldier. He praised Starke's calm and good judgment in battle. Colonel Johnson felt Starke's early death was a great loss to the army.
Another Confederate officer, Clement A. Evans, later wrote that Starke's name should always be remembered with the Stonewall division.
A special cannon on the Antietam Battlefield marks the spot where Starke was shot for the third time. This spot is west of the Hagerstown Turnpike in the West Woods area. The cannon was placed there in October 1897.
See also
