| Robert Houston Anderson | |
|---|---|
Robert H. Anderson |
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| Born | October 1, 1835 Savannah, Georgia |
| Died | February 8, 1888 (aged 52) Savannah, Georgia |
| Allegiance | United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1857–1861 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank | First Lieutenant (USA) Brigadier General (CSA) |
| Unit | Army of Tennessee |
| Commands held | Anderson's Brigade |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | U.S. Army officer, police chief |
Robert Houston Anderson (October 1, 1835 – February 8, 1888) was a cavalry and artillery officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
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Born in Savannah, Georgia, Anderson was educated in the local schools. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy. After graduation in 1857, as a brevet second lieutenant, he was stationed in upstate New York. He later served as an infantry first lieutenant at Fort Walla Walla in the Washington Territory.[1]
In early 1861, shortly before the official secession of his home state, Anderson accepted a commission in the Confederate army as a lieutenant in the artillery. In September of that year, he was promoted to major. He was later appointed assistant adjutant general to Maj. Gen. W. H. T. Walker of the Georgia State militia, later seeing action at the Battle of Fort McAllister (1863) before his transfer to the frontlines as colonel of the 5th Georgia Cavalry.[1]
Commissioned a brigadier general on July 26, 1864, Anderson was attached to the Army of Tennessee as a cavalry officer during the Atlanta Campaign. After the death of commanding officer Brig. Gen. John H. Kelly near Franklin, Tennessee, Anderson assumed temporary command of the division before resuming his former position as brigade commander following the fall of Atlanta. He would later lead his brigade against advancing Union forces during Sherman's March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign before the collapse of the Confederacy in April 1865.[2]
Following the war, Anderson served as the police chief of Savannah, where he died at the age of 52.[3]