More than 1,000 men held the rank of brigadier general during the Civil War, but a surprising number remain unknown to all but the most ardent scholar. These lesser-known brigadiers, like General Abner M. Perrin (1830–1864), played much more than a casual role in the momentous conflict. Perrin, of the South Carolina 14th Regiment, took part in all of the major battles of the Army of Northern Virginia. At Gettysburg, he assumed command of a brigade whose general was wounded and defeated all opponents to lead the first troops to enter the town. He received a promotion to brigadier general for his actions and commanded his own brigade at Mine Run, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania, where he was mortally wounded. This welcome biography chronicles Perrin’s life and military career, removing this deserving Civil War personality from the shadows of history.

Historian Ron V. Killian taught United States history for 41 years before retiring. He is the author of two books on Civil War history.

Ron V. Killian
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 233
Bibliographic Info: 7 illustrations, 5 maps, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6980-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9036-3
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      v
Preface      1
Introduction      3

1. A Future Soldier and His Life Between Two Wars      5
2. A Captain in the 14th South Carolina Infantry      16
3. The Maryland Campaign      38
4. The Road to Fredericksburg      58
5. Chancellorsville      75
6. Gettysburg: More Than a Battle      91
7. From the Mine Run Campaign to the Wilderness      125
8. Perrin’s Brigade      143
9. The Final Battle      152
10. Bereft of Life and Recognition      170

Epilogue      183
Appendices
1. Perrin’s Remains Located on the Spotsylvania Battlefield      185
2. Letter of Capt. S.J. Quinn of the 14th Mississippi Regarding Perrin Family      186
3. Perrin Obituary, May 25, 1864, Edgefield Advertiser      189
4. Col. Abner M. Perrin Endorsed by McGowan’s Brigade      189
5. Important Dates in Perrin’s Life      191
6. Perrin Letter to Governor Bonham, July 29, 1863      191

Chapter Notes      195
Bibliography      211
Index      221

“very much recommended”—Midwest Book Review; “worth reading to learn what is available on the life of this little-known Confederate general”—Civil War News.