William MacRae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William MacRae
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| Born | September 9, 1834 Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Died | February 11, 1882 (aged 47) Augusta, Georgia |
| Buried |
Oakdale Cemetery
Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | Pettigrew-Kirkland-MacRae Brigade |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | Railroad superintendent |
William MacRae (born September 9, 1834 – died February 11, 1882) was a high-ranking officer, known as a brigadier general, in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was a brave leader who fought in many important battles.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William MacRae was born on September 9, 1834, in Wilmington, North Carolina. His parents were General Alexander MacRae and Anna Jane Martin MacRae. His family came from the Clan MacRae in Scotland.
William studied civil engineering, which is about designing and building things like roads and bridges. When the Civil War began, he was working as an engineer in Monroe, North Carolina.
A Soldier's Story: The Civil War
When the Civil War started in 1861, William MacRae joined the army. He began as a private in the Monroe Light Infantry. Soon, he was chosen to be a captain of his company. His company became part of the Fifteenth North Carolina Infantry Regiment.
Rising Through the Ranks
In April 1862, MacRae was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He showed great courage and leadership. By February 1863, he became a colonel. Later, in 1864, he was made a brigadier general. This meant he was in charge of a large group of soldiers called a brigade.
Key Battles and Leadership
MacRae and his regiment fought in many major battles.
- During the Peninsula Campaign and at the Second Manassas, his regiment was part of Howell Cobb's brigade.
- At the Battle of Antietam, MacRae took command of his brigade. It had only 250 men left. His soldiers bravely stopped three attacks from the Union army. They only retreated when they had just 50 men left and ran out of bullets.
- He also fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg at a place called Marye's Heights.
- MacRae was known for his bravery at the Battle of Bristoe Station.
- Later, he led Kirkland's brigade after Brigadier General William Whedbee Kirkland was injured.
- At the Ream's Station, MacRae's brigade, along with others, pushed back Union forces and captured their cannons.
- He continued to serve with the army through the Appomattox Campaign, which was one of the final parts of the war.
Life After the War
After the Civil War ended in 1865, William MacRae returned to North Carolina. He had lost all his money during the war. He then started a new career in railroads.
He became the general superintendent for several railroad companies. He worked for the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad, then the Macon and Brunswick Railroad, and finally the Western and Atlantic Railroad. A superintendent is like a manager who oversees the operations of the railroad.
His Final Years
William MacRae became sick with pneumonia. He passed away on February 11, 1882, in Augusta, Georgia. He was buried in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, at Oakdale Cemetery.
