James B. RickettsRicketts, a native of New York City, was born June 21, 1817 and graduated from West Point in 1839. An officer of artillery and a Mexican War veteran, he commanded a battery at First Manassas where he was wounded four times and taken prisoner by the Confederates. After being exchanged in January, 1862, Ricketts was promoted to brigadier general, and assigned command of a division of McDowell's corps. He was injured at Antietam when his horse fell on him. After recovering, he served on the court-martial of Fitz John Porter. At Monocacy in July, 1864 his division helped delay Jubal Early's raid on Washington. Ricketts was later wounded during Philip Sheridan's Shenandoah campaign, and didn't return to service until April 7, 1865, prior to Robert E. Lee's surrender. He retired from the army in 1867 and died in 1887 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.Source: "Generals in Blue" Warner, Ezra J. |
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