Thomas P. Dockery | |
|---|---|
 Dockery in uniform,c. 1864 | |
| Born | (1833-12-18)December 18, 1833 |
| Died | February 26, 1898(1898-02-26) (aged 64) New York, New York, U.S. |
| Buried | City Cemetery,Natchez, Mississippi, U.S. 31°34′30.0″N91°23′39.3″W / 31.575000°N 91.394250°W /31.575000; -91.394250 |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier-General |
| Commands |
|
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
Brigadier-GeneralThomas Pleasant Dockery (December 18, 1833 – February 26, 1898) was a seniorofficer of theConfederate States Army who served in both theWestern andTrans-Mississippitheaters of theAmerican Civil War.
Thomas Pleasant Dockery was born inMontgomery County, North Carolina, to Colonel John Dockery, who had participated in theIndian removals inNorth Carolina. His father moved first toHardeman County, Tennessee, and then toColumbia County, Arkansas, where he established a largeplantation. John Dockery also played a role in establishing the first railroad inArkansas.
At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Dockery received a commission on June 17, 1861, as captain of a Volunteer Militia Company in the 68th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia, Columbia County.[1] This company became Company B of the5th Regiment, Arkansas State Troops,[2] and Dockery was electedcolonel of the new regiment. Dockery's regiment was assigned toNicholas Bartlett Pearce's Division, Arkansas State Troops, and participated in theBattle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861. Pearce's Division of State Troops, voted to disband following the battle, rather than be transferred to Confederate Service.[3]
Dockery then helped raise and was elected Colonel of the19th Arkansas Infantry Regiment. After theBattle of Pea Ridge, most Confederate units were withdrawn from Arkansas to the east side of theMississippi River. Dockery and his unit participated in theSecond Battle of Corinth.[3] Dockery commanded the 19th Arkansas Infantry inMartin E. Green's 2nd Brigade inJohn S. Bowen's Division during theVicksburg campaign. The brigade was involved in heavy fighting at theBattle of Port Gibson on May 1, 1863, losing 222 casualties, and theBattle of Champion's Hill on 16 May, losing 268 casualties. At theBattle of Big Black River Bridge on May 17, the brigade was overrun, losing one killed, nine wounded, and 1,012 captured. When Green was killed during theSiege of Vicksburg, Dockery assumed command of the brigade.[4]
Dockery was captured when the city capitulated on July 4, 1864. After being paroled,[3] Dockery was ordered by Confederate Secretary of War J.A. Seddon to assemble the Arkansas Confederate prisoners who had been released following the surrender of Vicksburg andPort Hudson atWashington, Arkansas, in theTrans-Mississippi Department. He was to reform them and recruit the units up to a full brigade.[5][6]
On August 10, 1864, Dockery received his commission as a brigadier-general and raised an Arkansas brigade, which he led in theRed River Campaign and participated in theBattle of Mount Elba,[7]Battle of Prairie D'Ane,[8]Battle of Poison Spring[7]Battle of Marks' Mills[9][10] and theBattle of Jenkins' Ferry.[11][12] During this campaign, Dockery commanded a brigade inFagan's cavalry division. The brigade consisted of the18th Arkansas, 19th Arkansas, and20th Arkansas Mounted Infantry Regiments, and the12th Arkansas Infantry Battalion (mounted).[13]
Late in 1864, Dockery was assigned to command the Reserve Forces of the State of Arkansas.[14] In May 1865 Dockery signed the instrument of surrender which surrendered all remaining Confederate forces in Arkansas.[15]
Dockery died on February 26, 1898, inNew York City and was buried inNatchez's city cemetery.[16]
