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Civil War Soldiers - Ricketts

Ricketts, James B., brigadier-general, U.S. Army, was born in New York city, June 21, 1817. He was graduated at the United States military academy in 1839, served during the Canadian border disturbances, and took part in the Mexican war, where he was engaged in the battle of Monterey and held the Riconda pass during the battle of Buena Vista. He was promoted captain in 1852, served in Florida against the Seminole Indians, and was then on frontier and garrison duty until the Civil war. His early service in the Civil war was in the defenses of Washington and he commanded a battery in the capture of Alexandria. He distinguished himself in the battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. For his gallantry on this occasion he was breveted lieutenant-colonel and commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, and after being confined as a prisoner of war and being absent on sick leave, he returned to duty in June, 1862, and commanded a division in the Army of Virginia during the Northern Virginia campaign, where he participated in the battles of second Bull Run and Cedar mountain, and in the actions at Rappahannock station and Thoroughfare gap. He also commanded a division in the Maryland campaign, taking part in the battles of South mountain and Antietam, was promoted major in the regular army, June 1, 1863, and commanded the 3d division, 6th army corps, under Gen. Grant in the Richmond campaign, where he was engaged in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor, and in the siege of Petersburg. He was brevetted colonel for gallantry at Cold Harbor, and in the defense of Maryland against Gen. Early's raid commanded the 3d division under Gen. Wallace at the battle of Monocacy. He commanded the 3d division, 6th army corps, Army of the Shenandoah, at Opequan, Fisher's hill, and Cedar creek, Va., and was severely wounded in the last named battle. Gen. Ricketts was brevetted major-general of volunteers, Aug. 1, 1864, and on March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier- general in the regular army for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Cedar creek, and major-general U. S. A. for gallant and meritorious services in the field during the war. After the close of hostilities he commanded a district in Virginia until April 30, 1866, when he was mustered out of the volunteer service. He was retired from active service in the regular army, Jan. 3, 1867, with the rank of major-general, for disability incurred from wounds received in battle, and he died in Washington, D. C., Sept. 27, 1887.

Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
 


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