Brig. Gen. (CSA) Beverly Holcombe Robertson

Wikipedia

Beverly Holcombe Robertson (June 5, 1827 – December 12, 1910) was a cavalry officer in the United States Army on the Western frontier and a Confederate general during the American Civil War.

Early life

Robertson was born on a plantation in Amelia County, Virginia. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1849. Assigned to the 2nd U.S. Dragoons as a second lieutenant, he attended the cavalry school at Carlisle Barracks. He then served on the frontier at various outposts in New Mexico Territory, Kansas Territory, and Nebraska Territory, fighting at various times with the Apache and Sioux. Reassigned to the 5th U.S. Cavalry, Robertson was promoted to first lieutenant. He became adjutant of the regiment while serving in Utah Territory and soon was elevated to acting assistant adjutant general for the Department of Utah. He was promoted to captain in March 1861, but soon accepted a captaincy in the Confederate Adjutant General's Department.

Civil War

He was elected colonel of the 4th Virginia Cavalry in August 1861 and served in the Valley Campaign. He was promoted to brigadier general on June 9, 1862. He fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, and the early part of the Maryland Campaign in September 1862. Prior to the Battle of Antietam, he was ordered to North Carolina to recruit and train new cavalry regiments. He participated in the Battle of New Bern in March 1863.

During the Gettysburg Campaign, he commanded a brigade of two North Carolina cavalry regiments primarily assigned to scout for Robert E. Lee. At the Battle of Brandy Station, his men failed to significantly delay a Union column approaching Brandy Station from the southeast. He fought in J.E.B. Stuart's delaying actions in the Loudoun Valley at Middleburg and Upperville. His men helped cover Lee's retreat following the Battle of Gettysburg, but suffered severe losses during the campaign.

He was assigned in October 1863 to command the Second Military District, which encompassed South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. He helped defend Charleston from enemy attack. Robertson served in the Carolinas Campaign and surrendered with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.

Postbellum career

After the war, Robertson moved to Washington, D.C., and worked in the insurance business for several decades. He is buried in Robertson Cemetery near Scott's Fork, Amelia County, Virginia.

Confederate Bridagier General. As a graduate from West Point in 1849 Robertson served much of his army time on the frontier as part of the 2nd Dragoons. He was dismissed from the army on August 8, 1861 for having shown proof of disloyalty. This was shown by his having been appointed a captain in the Confederate adjutant general's office on March 16, 1861. Soon after he was elected colonel of the 4th Virginia Cavalry and took part in Jackson's Valley Campaign in 1862. He was promoted to brigadier general on June 9, 1862 and soone joined the Army of Northern Virginia serving under General Stuart. In May of 1863 he was with the main confederate army as they moved into Pennsylvania. Stuart however did not trust Robertson and thus he was sent to South Carolina where he stayed until the evacuation ahead of General Sherman's march. After the war ended he moved to Washington D.C. where he worked in the insurance business until his passing.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 9 2019, 13:29:58 UTC