History of Spring Hill, (Henderson County) Tennessee United States of America

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Earl Van dorn, soldier, was born near Port Gibson, Miss., Sept. 17, 1820. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy, July 1, 1842; and commissioned 2d lieutenant, Nov. 30, 1844. He served in the war with Mexico, being engaged in the defense of Fort Brown, May 3-9, 1846, and the battle of Monterey, September 21; was promoted 1st lieutenant, March 3, 1847; was engaged at the siege of Vera Cruz, March 9-29, 1847; the battles of Cerro Gordo, April 17-18 (being brevetted captain on the last day for gallantry), Contreras, Aug. 19-20, 1847, and Cherubusco, August 20. He was brevetted major for Contreras and Cherubusco, August 20; served during the assault and capture of the city of Mexico, Sept. 13-14, 1847, and was wounded in entering the Belen Gate. He took part in the Seminole war, 1849-50; was promoted captain, 2d cavalry, March 3, 1855, and led an expedition against the Comanche Indians, fighting near Washita Village, I.T., where he received four severe arrow wounds. He was promoted major, 2d cavalry, June 28, 1860, and on Jan. 31, 1861, resigned his commission. When Mississippi seceded, Jefferson Davis was appointed major-general of the militia and Van Dorn, with three other officers, was appointed brigadier-general. When Davis resigned, Van Dorn was promoted major-general, but later resigned his commission to become colonel in the Confederate army. He was soon promoted brigadier-general; was in command of Texas at the time of the surrender of David E. Twiggs , on Feb. 18, 1861, and acting under orders, prevented the movement of the U.S. troops from Texas, capturing 815 officers and men. Van Dorn was transferred to Virginia in September, 1861; was promoted major-general, and on October 4, was given command of a division in Beauregard's corps in the Army of Virginia, under Joseph E. Johnston. On Jan. 10, 1862, he was assigned to the command of the Trans-Mississippi district; made his headquarters at once in Missouri, and planned an aggressive campaign against St. Louis, with Springfield as a base, calling on Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana for aid. But on Feb. 12, Price was driven out of Springfield by Curtis, and was pursued into the mountains of Arkansas, where he was joined by Van Dorn, March 1. In command of all the forces, 16,000 men, Van Dorn moved against Curtis, who was near Bentonville, March 4, and on March 6, dividing his army, left McCulloch to attack an almost impregnable front, while he, with Price, attacked the rear of the camp. Van Dorn was unsuccessful, and McCulloch was killed, his troops were demoralized, and Van Dorn's army was divided. On the morning of March 8, the Union troops were found in an altered position, preventing the co?peration of the Confederate columns. Van Dorn withdrew to Van Buren, Ark., leaving Missouri uncontested; Halleck massed the Union forces on the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, and so endangered Beauregard's army that on March 17, Van Dorn moved to support Beauregard. He marched boldly for St. Louis, intending to divert the enemy, but on March 23, was ordered to move upon Memphis. He joined Beauregard at Corinth, Miss., participating in the defense and evacuation of that place. Van Dorn urged that troops again be sent west of the Mississippi and that Sterling Price, being a greater favorite with the people, be allowed to supersede him. On the approach of Farragut's fleet, Van Dorn was sent to Vicksburg to relieve Lovell, and his defense of Vicksburg convinced Farragut of the necessity of having the co?peration of land forces. When, on July 27, Farragut started back to Now Orleans, Van Dorn sent J. C. Breckinridge to Baton Rouge with 5000 picked men. Breckinridge met with disaster; Van Dorn applied to Price for aid, but that officer had none to give, and on Aug. 24, Breckinridge returned. On Sept. 11, 1862, Van Dorn was ordered by President Davis to join Price and assume command of both armies. He marched to Corinth, where Price was opposing Rosecrans, assumed command and at dawn on October 3, attacked the Union line. At 1:30 he had driven the forces into their inner lines, but on the 4th he was repulsed and retreated to Hatchie Bridge, where he met Ord, who gave him battle. He retreated toward Vicksburg, Miss.; was superseded on Oct. 14, 1862, by Lieut.-Gen. J. C. Pemberton, and was transferred to the command of the cavalry. Grant followed in pursuit until Dec. 20, when Van Dom, at the head of his cavalry, attacked Murphy at Holly Springs, and destroyed Grant's stores. Joseph E. Johnston says this attempt was surpassed by no enterprise of its character during the war, and the loss of the stores obliged Grant to fall back, this gaining for the Confederacy a little much needed time. In the following spring he fought at Thompson's Station, where he captured about 1000 men from Gen. Gordon Granger. In May he was shot by Dr. Peters, because of a private grievance. He died at Spring Hill, Tenn., May 8, 1863.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Spring Hill, (Henderson County) Tennessee

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