Lafayette McLaws

Lafayette McLaws
Lafayette McLaws
Born(1821-01-15)January 15, 1821
Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
DiedJuly 24, 1897(1897-07-24) (aged 76)
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Place of burial
Laurel Grove Cemetery
Savannah, Georgia
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Confederate States of America Confederate States of America
Service / branch United States Army
 Confederate States Army
Years of service1842–61 (USA)
1861–65 (CSA)
Rank Captain (USA)
Major general
Battles / wars
Other workinsurance business, tax collector, postmaster, author

Lafayette McLaws (/ləˈf.ɛt/ lə-FAY-et;[1] January 15, 1821 – July 24, 1897) was a United States Army officer and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He served at Antietam and Fredericksburg, where Robert E. Lee praised his defense of Marye's Heights, and at Gettysburg, where his division made successful assaults through the Peach Orchard and Wheatfield, but was unable to dislodge Union forces from Cemetery Ridge. After the Knoxville Campaign, he was court-martialed for inefficiency, though this was overturned for procedural reasons. Finally, he was sent to his native Georgia to resist Sherman's March to the Sea but retreated through the Carolinas, losing many men through desertion, and was presumed to have surrendered with Joseph E. Johnston in April 1865.

McLaws remained bitter about his court-martial, especially since the charges had been filed by James Longstreet, his friend and classmate at West Point, with whom he had served for years. Although he defended Longstreet against Lost Cause proponents who blamed him for losing the war, McLaws never fully forgave Longstreet for his actions.

  1. ^ Quigley, p. 94.