James Fleming Fagan
Encyclopedia
James Fleming Fagan was a planter, public official, and a major general
in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
.
. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Little Rock
, the capital of the recently created State of Arkansas
. His father had been hired to work on the Old State House
. His father died during his youth and his mother, Catherine A. Fagan, in 1842 married Samuel Adams
, who became Governor of Arkansas two years later.
After his stepfather's death, Fagan took control of the family farm along the Saline River
in southern Arkansas. Though he was a member of the Whig Party, he represented the heavily Democratic Saline County for one term in the Arkansas state legislature.
Fagan served in the United States Army
during the Mexican-American War in the 1st Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry under General Archibald Yell
and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant
.
, Fagan was elected as colonel
of the combined 900-man regiment
. They were formally mustered into service in Lynchburg, Virginia
in May 1861. His regiment was a part of the first wave of Confederate attacks under Albert Sidney Johnston
at the Battle of Shiloh
. He also participated in the battle at Farmington, Mississippi
, on May 9 and the Siege of Corinth
, but fell into disfavor with his superior officer, Braxton Bragg
. He was soon transferred to the Trans-Mississippi District, where he fought at Cane Hill
and Prairie Grove
in command of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry
.
Fagan was promoted to brigadier general
on September 12, 1862, and commanded a brigade
entirely composed of Arkansas regiments. He played a central role in the Battle of Helena
, where he and his brigade made repeated assaults on Federal artillery
batteries. He assumed command of Sterling Price
's division
upon the latter's promotion, and played a role in the successful defense of Little Rock.
He participated in the Arkansas portion of the Red River Campaign
and played a central role in the battles during the Camden Expedition
, including the successful destruction of a Federal supply train at the Battle of Marks' Mill, which led to the Federal retreat from southern Arkansas. In recognition for his service in the Camden Expedition, Fagan was promoted to major general on April 24, 1864, and commanded the Arkansas division
of Confederate cavalry
during Price's Raid
into Missouri
. His division broke in a "disgraceful manner" during the failed assault on Fort Davidson
at Pilot Knob, Missouri. During Price's withdrawal from Missouri and Kansas, Fagan and Marmaduke's divisions were overwhelmed at the Battle of Mine Creek
. The end of the war found Fagan in command of the District of Arkansas of the Trans-Mississippi Department
, which was active militarily until late April 1865.
. He was also related by marriage to Governor Henry Massey Rector
.
Fagan was not paroled by the U.S. government until June 20, 1865. After his parole, he returned to his farm to make a living. Fagan participated in the Brooks-Baxter War
of Arkansas in 1874, serving as Joseph Brooks main commander, despite Fagan's former service as a Confederate officer. He was appointed United States Marshal
by President
Ulysses S. Grant
in 1875. He served as a receiver for the United States Land Office in 1877. In 1890, he ran for Arkansas Railroad Commissioner, but was defeated.
James Fleming Fagan died in Little Rock, Arkansas
. He is buried at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery
in that city.
was named in his honor.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Early life and career
James F. Fagan was born in Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, the capital of the recently created State of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. His father had been hired to work on the Old State House
Old State House (Little Rock)
The Old State House is a historic building in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. It is the oldest surviving state capitol building west of the Mississippi River. It is known best as the site of President Bill Clinton's election night celebration in 1992....
. His father died during his youth and his mother, Catherine A. Fagan, in 1842 married Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams (governor)
Samuel Adams was a Democratic Governor of the State of Arkansas.Samuel Adams was born in Halifax County, Virginia. Adams was self-taught and moved to Arkansas in 1835. Adams became a planter and became active in Arkansas politics.In 1840 Adams was elected to the Arkansas Senate...
, who became Governor of Arkansas two years later.
After his stepfather's death, Fagan took control of the family farm along the Saline River
Saline River (Ouachita River)
The Saline River is a tributary of the Ouachita River in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Arkansas.The Saline River begins in the eastern foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in Saline and Garland counties and is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the Ouachita River Basin...
in southern Arkansas. Though he was a member of the Whig Party, he represented the heavily Democratic Saline County for one term in the Arkansas state legislature.
Fagan served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Mexican-American War in the 1st Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry under General Archibald Yell
Archibald Yell
Archibald Yell was a member of the United States House of Representatives, second Governor of the State of Arkansas, and a Brigadier General in the United States Army serving in the Mexican-American War.-Early life:...
and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
.
Civil War
At the start of the Civil War, Fagan raised a company for the Confederate Army and became its captain. When his unit was folded in with the 1st Arkansas Infantry1st Arkansas Infantry
The 1st Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. There were three regiments known as "1st Arkansas" during the war...
, Fagan was elected as colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the combined 900-man regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
. They were formally mustered into service in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
in May 1861. His regiment was a part of the first wave of Confederate attacks under Albert Sidney Johnston
Albert Sidney Johnston
Albert Sidney Johnston served as a general in three different armies: the Texas Army, the United States Army, and the Confederate States Army...
at the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
. He also participated in the battle at Farmington, Mississippi
Farmington, Mississippi
Farmington is a town in Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,810 at the 2000 census. Its ZIP code is 38834.- History :Before 1850, Farmington was a prosperous village...
, on May 9 and the Siege of Corinth
Siege of Corinth
The Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi.-Background:...
, but fell into disfavor with his superior officer, Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was a career United States Army officer, and then a general in the Confederate States Army—a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and later the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Bragg, a native of North Carolina, was...
. He was soon transferred to the Trans-Mississippi District, where he fought at Cane Hill
Battle of Cane Hill
The Battle of Cane Hill was fought during the American Civil War on November 28, 1862 in Washington County, Arkansas. Union troops under Brig. Gen. James G. Blunt drove Confederates under Brig. Gen. John S...
and Prairie Grove
Battle of Prairie Grove
The Battle of Prairie Grove was a battle of the American Civil War fought on 7 December 1862, that resulted in a tactical stalemate but essentially secured northwest Arkansas for the Union.-Strategic situation: Union:...
in command of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry
Arkansas Civil War Confederate Units
Arkansas Civil War Confederate Units, a list of units formed from that state for service in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Like most states, Arkansas possessed a prewar Militia organization, which consisted of seventy one regiments, organized into eight brigades, and divided into two...
.
Fagan was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
on September 12, 1862, and commanded a brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
entirely composed of Arkansas regiments. He played a central role in the Battle of Helena
Battle of Helena
The Battle of Helena was a land battle of the American Civil War fought on July 4, 1863, at Helena, Arkansas. Overshadowed by the battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the Battle of Helena secured eastern Arkansas for the Union.- Union forces :...
, where he and his brigade made repeated assaults on Federal artillery
Field Artillery in the American Civil War
Field artillery in the American Civil War refers to the important artillery weapons, equipment, and practices used by the Artillery branch to support the infantry and cavalry forces in the field. It does not include siege artillery, use of artillery in fixed fortifications, or coastal or naval...
batteries. He assumed command of Sterling Price
Sterling Price
Sterling Price was a lawyer, planter, and politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, who served as the 11th Governor of the state from 1853 to 1857. He also served as a United States Army brigadier general during the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate Army major general in the American Civil...
's division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
upon the latter's promotion, and played a role in the successful defense of Little Rock.
He participated in the Arkansas portion of the Red River Campaign
Red River Campaign
The Red River Campaign or Red River Expedition consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red River in Louisiana during the American Civil War from March 10 to May 22, 1864. The campaign was a Union initiative, fought between approximately 30,000 Union troops under the command of Maj. Gen....
and played a central role in the battles during the Camden Expedition
Camden Expedition
The Camden Expedition was a military campaign in southern and central Arkansas during the American Civil War. It involved Union forces stationed at Little Rock and Fort Smith under the command of Major General Frederick Steele...
, including the successful destruction of a Federal supply train at the Battle of Marks' Mill, which led to the Federal retreat from southern Arkansas. In recognition for his service in the Camden Expedition, Fagan was promoted to major general on April 24, 1864, and commanded the Arkansas division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
of Confederate cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
during Price's Raid
Price's Raid
Price's Missouri Expedition, also known as Price's Raid, was an 1864 Confederate cavalry raid through the states of Missouri and Kansas during the American Civil War. While Confederate Major General Sterling Price enjoyed some successes during this campaign, he was decisively beaten at the Battle...
into Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. His division broke in a "disgraceful manner" during the failed assault on Fort Davidson
Battle of Fort Davidson
The Battle of Fort Davidson, also known as the Battle of Pilot Knob, was the opening engagement of Price's Missouri Raid during the American Civil War. This engagement occurred on September 27, 1864, just outside of Pilot Knob in Iron County, Missouri...
at Pilot Knob, Missouri. During Price's withdrawal from Missouri and Kansas, Fagan and Marmaduke's divisions were overwhelmed at the Battle of Mine Creek
Battle of Mine Creek
The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of the Osage, was a battle that occurred on October 25, 1864 in Kansas as part of Price's Raid during the American Civil War...
. The end of the war found Fagan in command of the District of Arkansas of the Trans-Mississippi Department
Trans-Mississippi Department
The Trans-Mississippi Department was an administrative subdivision of the Confederate States of America west of the Mississippi, consisting of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Indian Territories recognized by the CSA, and parts of Western Louisiana...
, which was active militarily until late April 1865.
Postbellum activities
General Fagan's first wife was the sister of General William Nathan Rector BeallWilliam Beall
William Nelson Rector Beall was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He is most noted for his supply efforts on behalf of Confederate prisoners of war.-Early life and career:...
. He was also related by marriage to Governor Henry Massey Rector
Henry Massey Rector
Henry Massey Rector was the sixth Governor of the state of Arkansas.Henry Massey Rector was born near Louisville, Kentucky. Rector was educated by his mother and attended one year of school at Louisville. He moved to Arkansas in 1835. Rector served as U.S...
.
Fagan was not paroled by the U.S. government until June 20, 1865. After his parole, he returned to his farm to make a living. Fagan participated in the Brooks-Baxter War
Brooks-Baxter War
The Brooks–Baxter War was an armed conflict in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the United States, in 1874 between factions of the Republican Party over the disputed 1872 election for governor...
of Arkansas in 1874, serving as Joseph Brooks main commander, despite Fagan's former service as a Confederate officer. He was appointed United States Marshal
United States Marshals Service
The United States Marshals Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice . The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest federal law enforcement office in the United States; it was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789...
by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
in 1875. He served as a receiver for the United States Land Office in 1877. In 1890, he ran for Arkansas Railroad Commissioner, but was defeated.
James Fleming Fagan died in Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
. He is buried at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery
Mount Holly Cemetery
Mount Holly Cemetery is the original cemetery in the Quapaw Quarter area of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, and is the resting place for numerous Arkansans of note...
in that city.
Honors
The Gen. James Fleming Fagan Camp #280 of the Military Order of the Stars and BarsMilitary Order of the Stars and Bars
The Military Order of the Stars and Bars is a fraternal organization for documented descendants of men who served as commissioned officers in the armed forces of the Confederate States of America or who are descended from members of the Confederate Congress, or any elected or appointed member of...
was named in his honor.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals