Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne
Born: March 16, 1828
Killumney, County Cork, Ireland
Died: November 30, 1864
Franklin, Tennessee
Battle of Franklin
March 4, 1862: Brigadier General
December 13, 1862: Major General
Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne
1846: Enlisted in the 41st Regiment of Foot of the British Army, rising to the rank of corporal
1849: Emigrated to the United States
1856: Wounded by gunshots during a street fight in Helena, Arkansas
1860: Became a naturalized citizen and practicing lawyer
1860: Sided with the Southern States, not because of slavery, but because of the Southern people who adopted him as one of their own.
Joined a local militia company called the Yell Rifles as a private which became part of 1st Arkansas Infantry
March 4, 1862: Promoted to Brigadier General
April 6-7, 1862: Battle of Shiloh
April 29 - June 10, 1862: Siege of Corinth
August 29-30, 1862: Battle of Richmond, Kentucky was wounded in the face when a minie ball entered his left cheek, smashing several teeth, and exiting through his mouth. Recovered in time to join Gen. Hardee at the Battle of Perryville
October 8, 1862: Battle of Perryville
December 31, 1862 - January 2, 1863: Battle of Stone's River
Was promoted to Major General effective December 13, 1862
September 19-20, 1863: Battle of Chickamuaga
November 25, 1863: Battle of Missionary Ridge
Gen. Cleburne wanted to emancipate the slaves and let them earn their freedom giving several examples in history where the slaves had fought well and earned their freedom. However, Gen. William Walker supported slavery and called the plan an "abolitionist conspiracy." He also saw Cleburne as a rival for promotion. Walker persuaded Bragg that Cleburne was politically unreliable and undeserving of further promotion. 3 times in the summer of 1863, he was passed over for Corps command and remained a division commander.
November 30, 1864: Battle of Franklin where he was killed in action
Boatner, Mark M. III. The Civil War Dictionary. New York: David McKay, 1967. p 158-159
Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Gray Lives of the Confederate Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State, 1992. p 53-54