History of Champlain, (Essex County) Virginia United States of America

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Robert Selden Garnett, soldier, was born at Champlain, Essex county, Va., Dec. 16, 1819; son of Robert Selden and Charlotte Olympia (De Gouges) Garnett; and grandson of Muscoe and Grace Fenton (Mercer) Garnett. He was graduated from the U.S. military academy in 1841 and served as brevet 2d lieutenant, 4th artillery, on the northern frontier during the Canada border disturbances, 1841-42. He was commissioned 2d lieutenant, Jan. 31, 1842; was in garrison at Fort Monroe, Va., 1842-43, and was assistant instructor in infantry tactics at the Military academy, July 5, 1843, to Oct. 17, 1844. In 1845 he was aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Wool and in 1845-46 was in military occupation of Texas, being adjutant of the artillery battalion. He was engaged in the war with Mexico, 1846-48, serving in the battles of Pale Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista. He was promoted 1st lieutenant, Aug. 18, 1846, and brevetted captain, Sept. 23, 1846, for gallantry at Monterey. He was aide-de-camp to General Taylor from June 29, 1846, to June 31, 1849. On Feb. 23, 1849, he was brevetted major for his services at Buena Vista and on Aug. 31, 1848, was transferred to the 7th infantry. He was engaged in the Indian war with the Seminoles in 1850; was a member of the board to revise the uniform dress of the army, 1850-51, and on March 9, 1851, was promoted captain. In 1851-52 he was on frontier duty in Texas and in 1852-54 was stationed at the U.S. military academy as commandant of cadets and instructor in infantry tactics. He was in garrison at Fort Monroe, 1855, and on frontier duty in 1856. He was transferred to the 1st cavalry, March 3, 1855, and was promoted major of the 9th infantry, March 27, 1855. He was afterward on frontier and garrison duty until 1858, when he went to Europe on leave of absence. He was married in 1857 to Mariana, daughter of George S. Nelson, Esq., of New York city. On April 30, 1861, He resigned his commission and returning to the United States, joined the Confederate army as adjutant-general of the Virginia forces with the rank of colonel. He organized the Virginia troops and on June 6, 1861, was commissioned brigadier-general and was sent to command the Confederate forces opposing McClellan in western Virginia. After the defeat of a portion of his force at Rich Mountain, he was killed in the combat of Carrick's Ford, Va., while bravely covering the retreat of his small force of 3000 men from Laurel Hill across Cheat River in the face of McClellan's army of about 20,000 men. He was the first general officer to fall in the war and before an opportunity was presented of fulfilling the promise of his military training. The date of his death is July 13, 1861.

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

History of Champlain, (Essex County) Virginia

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