William McComb (November 21, 1828 – July 12, 1918) was a Confederate brigadier general. He was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to Tennessee.[2] McComb fought in many important battles of the Civil War's Eastern Theater.

William McComb
Born(1828-11-21)November 21, 1828
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
DiedJuly 12, 1918(1918-07-12) (aged 89)
Louisa County, Virginia
Place of burial
Mechanicsville Cemetery, Boswells, Virginia[1]
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Confederate States of America Confederate States of America
Service / branch Confederate States Army
Years of service1861–65
Rank Brigadier General
Commands14th Tennessee Infantry Regiment
McComb's Brigade
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
Spouse(s)Nannie H. Quarles McComb[1]

Early life

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McComb was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. He took up residence in Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1854. He erected a flour mill in Cumberland County and was involved in various manufacturing interests.

Civil War

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When the Civil War broke out, McComb chose the Confederacy despite his Northern birth and enlisted as a private in the 14th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Soon after his enlistment, McComb was elected second lieutenant, then major of his regiment. The 14th Tennessee was part of Brig. Gen. James Archer's brigade in A.P. Hill's "Light Division" of the Army of Northern Virginia. McComb became Colonel of his regiment in September 1862.[2]

McComb was wounded in several battles, including Gaines' Mill, Antietam,[3] and Chancellorsville.[4] In August 1863, he took command of Brig. Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox's old Alabama brigade. He commanded this unit through the Overland Campaign and on through the Siege of Petersburg. He was finally promoted to brigadier general on January 20, 1865.[2] He was paroled at Appomattox Court House.

Postbellum career

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After the war, McComb lived in Alabama and Mississippi, eventually settling in Gordonsville, Louisa County, Virginia, where he was a farmer for nearly fifty years. McComb died on his plantation. He was buried in Mechanicsville Cemetery in Boswells, Virginia.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b "William McComb". Find A Grave. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "General William McComb". Confederate Veteran. 26: 404. 1918.
  3. ^ "Report of Brigadier General James J Archer". Ohio State University. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Report of Captain R C Wilson, 14th Tennessee Infantry". Ohio State University. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

References

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