James Alexander Williamson

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel James Alexander Williamson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 29 December 1862, while serving with 4th Iowa Infantry, in action at Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi. Colonel Williamson led his regiment against a superior force, strongly entrenched, and held his ground when all support had been withdrawn.

• General Orders: Date of Issue: January 17, 1895
• Action Date: December 29, 1862
• Service: Army
• Rank: Colonel
• Division: 4th Iowa Infantry

********************** [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6083/james-alexander-williamson Find a Grave Memorial ID: 6083]

James Alexander Williamson

• BIRTH: 8 Feb 1829 Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky, USA
• DEATH: 7 Sep 1902 (aged 73) Jamestown, Newport County, Rhode Island, USA
• BURIAL: Rock Creek Cemetery Washington, District of Columbia, District Of Columbia, USA (Also known as Saint Paul's Rock Creek Cemetery)
  • PLOT: Section E, Map marker 47
• Civil War Union Brigadier General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Columbia, Kentucky, he was chairman of the Iowa State Democratic Committee when mustered into the Union Army as a 1st lieutenant at the start of the Civil War. He fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge, was promoted Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Colonel in command of the 4th Iowa Infantry in May 1962. On December 29, 1862 at Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi, he led his regiment against a strongly entrenched Confederate position. Even after being was seriously wounded, he continued to held his ground when all support units had been withdrawn. For this action, the siege of Vicksburg, the Chattanooga and Atlanta campaigns, he was promoted Brigadier General in January 1865. After the war, he was elected chairman of the Iowa Delegation and served as commissioner of the General Land Office. For his actions at Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi, in December 1862, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 17, 1895. He died at Jamestown, Rhode Island.
  • Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith

Family Members:

• Parents: Paulina Sanders Williamson Hendryx 1807–1887
• Spouse: Ann W Gregory Williamson 1834–1884
• Children:
  • Corinne Williamson Tripp 1856–1890
  • Gertrude Williamson 1858–1863
  • Adley Williamson 1861–1885
  • Hallam Gregory Williamson 1864–1892
  • Madge Williamson Stearns 1871–1917
• Siblings: Mary Elizabeth Williamson Orr (1830-1849)

*********************** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Alexander_Williamson Wikipedia - James Alexander Williamson]


James A. Williamson (February 8, 1829 – September 7, 1902)

• was a politician, and lawyer
• who served in the Union army during the American Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou.

Williamson was born in Columbia, Kentucky[1] in 1829. When he was fifteen years old his family moved to Iowa, where he worked as a farmer, before studying law and being admitted to the bar. In the years prior to the Civil War he served as the chairman of the Iowa State Democratic Committee.

When the Civil War began Williamson volunteered in the 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Serving as a first lieutenant he fought at the battle of Pea Ridge where he was wounded on the first day of fighting there. On March 4, 1862 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and then on July 21, 1862 to colonel of the 4th Iowa. Colonel Williamson and his regiment spent the fall of 1862 on garrison duty at Helena, Arkansas. In December Williamson was part of William T. Sherman's force which attacked the Confederate forces at the Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs. Williamson was again wounded and for his services here was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor in 1895.

Williamson recovered in time to take part in the Vicksburg Campaign and the following Siege of Vicksburg. After the fall of the city, he assumed command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, XV Corps until September, 1863 then commanded the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, XV Corps at the Battle of Chattanooga. Williamson's division, commanded by Peter J. Osterhaus was temporarily attached to the forces under Joseph Hooker and took part in the Battle of Lookout Mountain. The division was returned to the Army of the Tennessee and Williamson led the 2nd Brigade during the Atlanta Campaign. At the Battle of Jonesborough he was wounded in the hand. On December 19, 1864 he received a brevet promotion to brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers, on January 13, 1865 a full promotion to brigadier general and on March 13, 1865 a brevet promotion to major general of volunteers. Briefly during the summer of 1865 he commanded the District of St. Louis and was mustered out of the volunteer service on August 24, 1865, but was on an inspection tour of army posts in the West and did not find out until he returned in October 1865.

In 1864 Williamson had been elected chairman of the Iowa delegation to the National Republican Convention in Baltimore, but did not attend due to duty to the army. After the War he resumed his law practice in Iowa. He served as Commissioner of the General Land Office from 1876 to 1881. During this time he served as chairman of the Public Land Commission, which was created by Congress in 1879. He later became President of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad. He was in Jamestown, Rhode Island when he died on September 7, 1902.

Medal of Honor citation:

• Rank and Organization: Colonel, 4th Iowa Infantry.
• Place and Date: At Chickasaw Bayou, Miss., 29 December 1862.
• Entered service at: Des Moines, Iowa.
• Born: 8 February 1829, Columbia, Adair County, Ky.
• Date of issue: 17 January 1895.

Citation

Led his regiment against a superior force, strongly entrenched, and held his ground when all support had been withdrawn.[2][3]

Notes:

• 1. A Civil War Biography
• 2. "Civil War Medal of Honor citations" (S-Z): WILLIAMSON, JAMES A". AmericanCivilWar.com. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
• 3. "Medal of Honor website" (M-Z): WILLIAMSON, JAMES A". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2013.

References:

• Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
• A Civil War Biography
• History of General James A. Williamson


************************* [https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google... State Historical Society of Iowa.  Annals of Iowa. Vol 5, No. 7, 1902.]

JAMES ALEXANDER WILLIAMSON was |born at Columbia, Adair county, Ky., Feb. 8, 1829; he died at Jamestown, R. I., Sept. 7,1902. He was educated at Knox college. Ill., where he was known as an industrious student and accurate scholar. He settled in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1855, entering, upon the practice of the law. A leading and active democrat, who bore a prominent part in the politics of those days, he always enjoyed great personal popularity with the opposition. He was a prominent actor in the finally successful effort to remove the State capital from Iowa City to Des Moines, and it was a cherished hope of the last two years of his life to tell the story of that movement from his own standpoint in the pages of this magazine. In fact, he had set a time to come to Des Moines for the purpose of securing certain data for his article, but his failing health prevented his attempting the journey. Such a narrative from his pen would have possessed distinct historical value, for no other man has told the story as he could have done. He was commissioned first lieutenant and adjutant of the 4th Iowa Infantry, Aug. 8,1861. The ladies of Des Moines presented him a beautiful flag when he left to join his command. His career in the army was a brilliant one. He was a favorite with such commanders as Grant, Sherman, Dodge and Logan, rising to the rank of brigadier-general. At the close of the war he received the brevet of major-general, and congress awarded him a medal for distinguished gallantry. He fought at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, and in many lesser affairs. "Where is Jim Williamson?" asked an Iowa visitor at Sherman's camp. Just then a cannon boomed out in front. "Oh," replied the great general, pointing in the direction whence came the report, "he is pounding away at 'em as usual, over yonder." Coming home from the war he engaged in active business and public life for some years. President Grant appointed him Commissioner of the General Land Office. Afterwards he was president of the Atlantic & Pacific R. R., and was also connected with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road for some years. He was a member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Army and Navy Club, and the Union League Club of New York City. His remains were brought to Washington, D. C , and interred in the Rock Creek cemetery. The honorary pall bearers were Gen. G. M. Dodge, Hon. Frank W. Palmer, Hon. M. D. O'Connell, Gen. A. E. Bates, Capt. Charles Train, Mr. Colgate Hoyt and Mr. G. N. Whitney. Gen. Williamson leaves a widow and four daughters by his first wife. They are Miss Haidee Williamson, Mrs. Commander W. B. Bailey, Mrs. George R. Stearns of Augusta, Ga., and Mrs. Roy Jones of Santa Monica, Cal. The town of Corinne, Utah, was named in honor of another daughter, Mrs. Tripp, now deceased. He was a model citizen, a brave soldier, a competent and faithful public officer, a genial, excellent gentleman. His sword, commissions, and other personal belongings are among the most valued treasures in the Historical Department at Des Moines.

******************** [https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/1523 The Hall of Valor Project - James Alexander Williamson]

===James Alexander Williamson===

• DATE OF BIRTH: February 8, 1829
• PLACE OF BIRTH: Columbia, Kentucky
• HOME OF RECORD: Des Moines, Iowa

Before the war, James Williamson practiced law in Keokuk County and Des Moines, and returned to Des Moines after the war to resume his practice. He also engaged in real estate and became politically active. He was instrumental in the move of the Iowa State Capitol from Iowa City to Des Moines. His interest in western land and mining led to his appointment by President Grant as Commissioner of the General Land Office in Washington, D.C. When his interest turned to railroading, he became president of a transcontinental railroad for 10 years. He built a thriving law practice in New York, then moved to Jamestown, RI to continue that practice until his death.

Medal of Honor

• AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Civil War
• Service: Army
• Division: 4th Iowa Infantry
• GENERAL ORDERS: Date of Issue: January 17, 1895

CITATION:

• The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel James Alexander Williamson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 29 December 1862, while serving with 4th Iowa Infantry, in action at Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi. Colonel Williamson led his regiment against a superior force, strongly entrenched, and held his ground when all support had been withdrawn.

******************** [https://civilwartalk.com/threads/williamson-james-alexander-usa.9158/ Civil War Talk - Williamson, James Alexander USA. by Mark Wadsworth, 12 Jun 2008]

WILLIAMSON, James Alexander

• Born February 8 1829, Adair County KY
• Died September 7 1902, Jamestown RI
• Pre-War Profession Lawyer, chairman Iowa State Democratic Committee
• War Service 1861 1st Lt., adjutant of the 4th Iowa, Lt. Col., July 1862 Col., Pea Ridge, garrison duty at Helena AR, Chickasaw Bayou ñ Medal of Honor, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg campaign, commanded 2nd Bde/1st Divn/XV Corps in Chattanooga campaign, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign, commanded 3rd Bde/1st Divn/XV Corps in March to the Sea, January 1865 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers.
• Brevet Promotions Brig. Gen. U.S.V. December 19 1864, Maj. Gen. U.S.V. March 13 1865.  

******************** [https://books.google.com/books?id=Rk03AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=ja... A sketch of the life and public services of Brigadier and Brevet Major-General James Alexander Williamson. by: Grenville Mellen Dodge. Publisher: The Register & Leader Co., 1903, Original from: the University of Michigan. pages 1-24]

James Alexander Williamson -- Part I

“He was born February 8, 1829, in Columbia, Adair county, Kentucky, of good Scotch-English ancestry. When but a child of three years of age he was taken by his mother, recently become a widow, with the family and the maternal grandparents, to a little settlement on White river, near Indianapolis, Indiana, where he spent his younger days in cultivating the soil, and overcoming the hardships endured by pioneers of those days.”

“When a boy of 15 years, young Williamson, with his people, again migrated westward to the territory of Iowa. They moved in prairie schooners with ox teams, over the fertile lands of Illinois and into what is now known as Keokuk county, Iowa, one year before it became a state. He did a man’s work while yet a boy, laboring hard that every opportunity should be improved in the way of study, and the reading of such books as were available in a new land, and fitted himself to enter Knox college, at Galesburg, Ill., from which he graduate and went to the little town of Lancaster, Keokuk county, where he read law in the office of a fellow townsman, and soon acquired a good practice. He also became interested in various enterprises incident to the development of a new country. He soon obtained the confidence of the people in his town, and was sent to Boston and New York to purchase goods for the business men.” (p. 3)

“In 1853, when 24 years old, he married Miss Ann W Gregory of Birmingham, Van Buren county. A little more than a year lather he took his wife and child to Fort Des Moines, where he became interested in the real estate and banking business.” (p. 3-4)

The political views of General Williamson in these years, 1855-1860, were democratic. In 1860 he was a delegate to the national convention in Baltimore, which nominated Douglas and Johnson. (p. 4)

Business & military history found on pages 4-23.

“In 1891 he married his second wife, Miss Maria Hall, who survives him.” (p 22)

Direct quote from Page 23-24:

“It was only within the last year that his health began to fail, and almost up to the day of his death he was planning for the future, but he lay down and went to sleep, quietly and peacefully, just as he wished to, and was laid at rest in Rock Creek cemetery, Washington, DC. His pall-bearers were General GM Dodge, Hon. Frank W Palmer, Hon. MD O’Connell, General Alfred E. Bates, USA, Captain Charles Train, USN, Mr Colgate Hoyt, and Mr CM Whittington. Representatives of the government, delegations from the different societies of which he was a member, and from the general land office, were present, and with many others remembered him with beautiful floral tributes.

General Williamson leaves a widow and four daughters by his first wife--Miss Haidee Williamson, Mrs. Warner B Bayley, wife of Commander Bayley of the navy; Mrs. George R Stearns of Augusta, Ga., and Mrs. Roy Jones of Santa Monica, California.

George Williamson was of fine, commanding appearance and inspired confidence in all with whom he was associated. He was prompt in action, a gallant soldier, a general and model citizen. The official reports show him to have been a faithful and efficient public official, ad the war records testify to the truth of the remarks made by General Grant, when he visited Des Moines and inquired particularly about General Williamson of “Ret” Clarkson; he spoke of him in the highest terms as an excellent soldier who had received less reward for his services and the work accomplished than any other officer of his rank in the service.

His own state of Iowa has placed his medallion bust on its soldiers’ monument in testimony of the honor he has brought her, and the credit he had done himself in the civil war, and every comrade who has served under him will say with me, that he has answered the last roll call beloved and regretted by all his comrades, and by everyone who knew him.”

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