Edwin Francis Jemison

Edwin Francis Jemison

1861 photograph of Jemison with the "pelican" cap badge
of the 2nd Louisiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Birth name Edwin Francis Jemison
Born (1844-12-01)December 1, 1844
Milledgeville, Georgia, U.S.
Died July 1, 1862(1862-07-01) (aged 17)
Henrico County, Virginia, U.S.
Buried at Memory Hill Cemetery
Allegiance  Confederate States
Service/branch  Confederate States Army
Years of service 1861–1862
Rank Private
Unit Louisiana 2nd Louisiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars

Edwin Francis Jemison (December 1, 1844 – July 1, 1862) was a Private in the Confederate States Army during American Civil War, who served in the 2nd Louisiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment.[1] Jemison enlisted on May 11, 1861 and was among the war's early volunteers.[2] He participated in the Peninsula Campaign under John B. Magruder.[3] Jemison was killed in action on July 1, 1862 at the Battle of Malvern Hill reportedly by a direct hit from a cannonball, which decapitated him[4] (this account was given many years later by veteran of the war).[5] Jemison's death by cannon fire is corroborated by the 1887 obituary of his younger brother, but incorrectly identifies the battle as First Manassas.[6]

Jemison's photograph (previously identified as Jennison of the Georgia Regiment)[7] has become one of the most famous and iconic portraits of the young soldiers of both the Confederate and Union Armies.[8] A monument to Jemison was erected at the Memory Hill Cemetery in Georgia, where he may be buried.[2] Most believe that he was buried on or near the battlefield in Virginia in an unmarked grave.[9] It is thought that his parents erected the monument to him at Memory Hill Cemetery in Georgia.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Obituary: Edwin Francis Jemison". Southern Recorder. 5 Aug 1862. p. 3.
  2. 1 2 Cox, Dale. "Best Known Confederate Soldier". ExploreSouthernHistory. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Field, Ron; Hook, Richard (2006). The Confederate Army 1861-65 (3): Louisiana & Texas. Osprey Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 1846030315.
  4. ↑ Jones, Terry L. (2006). The Louisiana Journey. Gibbs Smith. p. 193. ISBN 1423601300.
  5. ↑ Miller, William J. (May 2004). "The Two Pictures of Private Jemison". America's Civil War: 32.
  6. ↑ "End of a Brilliant Lawyer". The Ouachita Telegraph. 1 Jan 1887. Retrieved 24 July 2015. the second was killed, with his messmate, by a cannon shot at the first battle of Manassas
  7. ↑ Associated Press. "Identity of Civil War soldier corrected". SouthCoastToday. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Edwin Francis Jemison". Find A Grave. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  9. ↑ Filipowski, Alexandra; Harrington, Hugh T. (May 2004). "America's Civil War: Where Does Private Jemison Rest". America's Civil War. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  10. ↑ Filipowski, Alexandra; Harrington (May 2007). "Hugh T.". America's Civil War: 28.

Media related to Edwin Francis Jemison at Wikimedia Commons

See also

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