James Madison Robertson
James Madison Robertson (died January 21, 1891) was an artillery officer in the United States Army who commanded the U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade during the American Civil War.
Biography
Born in New Hampshire, Robertson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1838, and served for ten years in Batteries F and H, 2nd U.S. Artillery. Ranking as a quartermaster sergeant during the Mexican-American War, Robertson received a field commission on June 28, 1848. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1852.
In May 1861, Robertson received his captaincy as the army expanded for the Civil War, and was assigned to command Battery B, 2nd U.S. Artillery. Robertson’s Battery B was combined with Battery L early in the war, and he commanded the combined batteries during the Peninsula Campaign in mid-1862.
Robertson succeeded William Hays as the commander of the U.S. Horse Artillery Brigade, and held that position through the remainder of the war. Engaged in most of the major battles in the Eastern Theater, Robertson was awarded successive brevet promotions to brigadier general by the end of the war.
After the war, Robertson returned to his permanent rank of captain in the Regular Army, and earned a promotion to major in June 1874. He transferred to the 3rd U.S. Artillery in 1875, and retired in 1879. He died on January 21, 1891.
References
- Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, From its Organization, September 29, 1789 to March 2, 1903. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1903.
- Simpson, Lt. W. A., History of the Second Regiment of Artillery.
- U.S. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1894.
External links
- Generals and Brevets: Photographs of General Officers during the American Civil War at the Wayback Machine (archived February 8, 2008)
- Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Washington, D.C.