Laurence Simmons Baker | |
|---|---|
 Laurence Simmons Baker photo taken between 1861 and 1865 | |
| Born | (1830-05-15)May 15, 1830 |
| Died | April 10, 1907(1907-04-10) (aged 76) |
| Place of burial | Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch |  United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Service years |
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| Rank |
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| Conflicts | American Civil War |
| Other work | farmer, railroad station agent |
Laurence Simmons Baker (May 15, 1830 – April 10, 1907) was an officer in theUnited States Army on thefrontier, then later abrigadier general in theConfederate States Army during theAmerican Civil War. His first name was spelled Lawrence in the records of the Confederate War Department[1] and the mistaken spelling has persisted.
Baker was born on the Cole's Hill Plantation inGates County, North Carolina, the last of five children of Dr. John Burges and Mary Wynns (Gregory) Baker. His great-grandfather and namesake Lawrence Baker had been a general during theAmerican Revolution. After receiving his initial schooling at theNorfolk Academy, he graduated from theUnited States Military Academy at West Point in 1851, placing 42nd (last in his class). After graduation, he wasbreveted asecond lieutenant earning his full rank on Mar. 31, 1853. He served for nine years in the U.S.Mounted Rifles, assigned to duty on the western frontier and rising to the rank offirst lieutenant.[2]
On 13 Mar 1855, Laurence Baker married Elizabeth E. Henderson (1836–1918).
In May 1861, he resigned his commission whenNorth Carolinaseceded from theUnion. Although personally opposed to the concept of secession, Baker was loyal to his state. He became thelieutenant colonel of the1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment, and was then promoted tocolonel on March 1, 1862, leading theregiment in the 1862Peninsula Campaign. He saw action at theSeven Days Battle,Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas), andBattle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) later in 1862.[3]
During theGettysburg campaign, Baker was wounded at theBattle of Brandy Station. However, he capably led his men in a number of small cavalry actions, culminated in the fighting atEast Cavalry Field at theBattle of Gettysburg. Baker assumed command of Brig. Gen.Wade Hampton's brigade when that officer was severely wounded by a saber slash. He was promoted tobrigadier general on July 23, 1863, in recognition for his valiant service covering the retreat of theArmy of Northern Virginia. Eight days later, he was severely wounded in the right arm while resisting a Federal crossing of theRappahannock River, and was incapacitated for nearly a year.[3]
After recovering enough for administrative duty, Baker was named commander of the Second Military District in his home state of North Carolina, overseeing the defense of vital railroads and supply lines. He briefly led a brigade intoGeorgia to help defendSavannah, but withdrew before the city surrendered. He also commanded the North Carolina Junior Reserves from 1864 until 1865, a predominantly recruiting and desk position. Despite his still painfully shattered arm, Baker returned to the field during theCarolinas campaign, including theBattle of Bentonville. He and most of his men did not surrender at the end of the war, preferring to try to cut his way through Union lines to joinJoseph E. Johnston's army. Instead, he disbanded his brigade and the remaining men dispersed. Baker received his formal parole inRaleigh, North Carolina, in May 1865.[3]
After the war, Baker lived atNew Bern, North Carolina, for a while before moving toNorfolk, Virginia, as a farmer. After returning to North Carolina, he was engaged in insurance until 1877. The next year, he joined the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad in Suffolk, VA as a station agent, serving for 29 years. His duties included managing theWestern Union telegraph and the Southern Express Co., a shipping company.
He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church inSuffolk, Virginia, and was active in the local camp of theUnited Confederate Veterans. He died in Suffolk in 1907 and was buried in the city's Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Due to a clerical error in theWar Department, in some official military documents, his first name is frequently misspelled as "Lawrence".[4]
