Albert Gallatin Blanchard | |
|---|---|
 Albert G. Blanchard | |
| Born | (1810-09-06)September 6, 1810 |
| Died | June 21, 1891(1891-06-21) (aged 80) New Orleans, Louisiana, US |
| Place of burial | St. Louis Cemetery No.2, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Allegiance | United States Confederate States of America |
| Branch | US Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1829–1840; 1846–1848 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank | Major (USA) Brigadier General (CSA) |
| Unit | 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment 2nd Louisiana Volunteers 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment |
| Commands | 1st Louisiana Infantry Regiment Blanchard's Brigade Blanchard's Reserve Brigade |
| Battles / wars | Mexican-American War American Civil War |
Albert Gallatin Blanchard (September 6, 1810 – June 21, 1891) was ageneral in theConfederate army during theAmerican Civil War. He was among the small number of high-ranking Confederates to have been born in theNorth. He served on theAtlantic Coast early in the war, commanding abrigade inVirginia before being reassigned to administrative duty due to his age and health. Furthermore, he then led troops during theCarolinas campaign in 1865.
Blanchard was born inCharlestown, Massachusetts. He accepted an appointment to theUnited States Military Academy inWest Point, New York, and graduated 26th in the Class of 1829. Among his classmates wasRobert E. Lee. Initially given the rank ofbrevetsecond lieutenant in the3rd U.S. Infantry, he was assigned to various bases on the Westernfrontier duty, as well as performing recruiting services and helping engineer improvement to theSabine River. Blanchard served in theUnited States Army for eleven years before resigning his commission as afirst lieutenant in 1840.[1]
He had a son and daughter by his first wife who died young. His first daughter wasSusan Blanchard who later became a noted writer. She married Charles D. Elder of New Orleans. General Blanchard's second wife was Marie Louise Herminie Benoist whom he married in January 1839. The couple moved to her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the 1840s. He entered the mercantile business there and served as a director of the city's public schools.
Blanchard returned to the army in May 1846 with the outbreak of theMexican War, serving as acaptain of the volunteer "Phoenix Company" in the 2nd Louisiana Infantry. Serving with distinction in theBattle of Monterrey and theSiege of Vera Cruz, he was commissioned as amajor in theRegular Army in the12th U.S. Infantry. After the war, he returned to New Orleans and became a teacher in the public schools until 1850. After working a few years as a surveyor, he went to work as secretary and treasurer for two local railroad companies, including theNew Orleans and Carrollton Railroad.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Blanchard offered his services to his adopted state and received a commission as thecolonel of the1st Louisiana Infantryregiment. After drilling and training his men, they were transported toNorfolk, Virginia. In May, Blanchard took charge of twodivisions under Maj. Gen.Benjamin Huger. He was promoted tobrigadier general on September 21, 1861, and given command of a brigade posted atPortsmouth, Virginia. His brigade was present at theBattle of Seven Pines, but held in reserve. Afterward, he was replaced byAmbrose R. Wright because of his advancing age and the desire for a younger officer to lead the brigade in the field.
Blanchard served in a variety of administrative posts for much of the rest of the war. He served on the court of inquiry forSeth M. Barton in May 1864. In November, he was among the Confederate generals defendingAugusta, Georgia, duringSherman's March to the Sea.[2] He led the South Carolina Reserve Brigade in the division ofLafayette McLaws during the Carolinas Campaign, including at the battles ofAverasborough andBentonville.
After the war, Blanchard returned to New Orleans and worked as an assistant city surveyor for the rest of his life. He was an active member of the New Orleans Academy of Sciences for many years.
He died at the age of 80 inNew Orleans, Louisiana and was buried there in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Furthermore, he is one of nearly two dozen Confederate generals buried in Louisiana.[3]
His diary of his Mexican War experiences is archived in the Louisiana State Museum.[4]
