The Life of GEORGE B ANDERSON
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA
ANDERSON SECTION, LOT 1
The first obelisk structure erected to a General Officer at Oakwood Cemetery, as well as the first such monument (obelisk) erected at the Cemetery was that of Confederate General, George Burgwyn Anderson. A native of Hillsborough in Orange County. George B. Anderson was born April 12, 1831 the son of William E. Anderson and Eliza Burgwyn. He received his advanced education at the University of North Carolina and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point when he was seventeen years of age. In 1852, Lieutenant George W. Anderson graduated from West Point, tenth in his class of 43 and was assigned to the Second Dragoons. Attending cavalry school at Carlisle, Pennsylvania Anderson was eventually assigned to Fort Chadbourne in Texas. Promoted to First Lieutenant in 1855, he commanded his troop in the march from Texas to Fort Riley, Kansas. He accompanied his regiment as the units Adjutant in the Army's Utah expedition of 1858. In 1859, Anderson was assigned to recruiting duty in Louisville, Kentucky. While in Louisville he met Mildred Ewing who he married in November of 1859. He resigned his Lieutenancy in the United States Army in 1861 and was immediately commissioned a Colonel of the 4th North Carolina Regiment by Governor Ellis. It is reported that he was the first North Carolinian in the United State Army to resign his commission in support of the Southern cause.
He rapidly organized the 4th North Carolina Regiment and reaching Manassas soon after the July 21st battle there, was appointed post commandant and charged with the construction of the defensive position (breastworks). He remained in charge of the defense of Manassas until March of 1862. During his stay in command he was highly recommended for promotion to Brigadier General by Generals D.H. Hill and Joseph E. Johnston. While the promotion did not take place he was promoted to Major General after distinguishing himself by unsurpassed gallantry in combat at Williamsburg.
During the fight at Williamsburg, Colonel Anderson seized the colors of the Twenty-seventh Georgia and ran forward leading the charge, and though his men were cheering wildly as they followed, losing scores of soldiers with each step, they were motivated beyond belief by the actions of Anderson who planted the colors on the crest of the enemy position. Colonel Anderson's actions during this engagement was witnessed by President Davis who promoted Anderson to Brigadier General on the spot.
General Anderson was engaged in heavy fighting during the Seven Days battles in and around Richmond, and was wounded at Malvern Hill. He returned to command his men at South Mountain and "Bloody Lane" at Sharpsburg, September 7, 1862. During the "Bloody Lane" battle he received what he considered to be a minor wound to the foot. General Anderson considered the wound so slight he ignored it. Several weeks later Anderson's foot was amputated by Doctor Charles Earl Johnson in Raleigh after the General's wound failed to respond to medical treatment. Unfortunately, infection from the "insignificant" wound claimed General Anderson's life on October 16, 1862.
