Lewis Armistead, American general (d. 1863)

Lewis Addison Armistead (February 18, 1817 – July 5, 1863) stands as a poignant figure in the annals of American history, a professional soldier who dedicated his life to military service. Initially a career officer in the United States Army, the outbreak of the American Civil War compelled him to make the difficult choice to join the Confederate States Army, where he rose to the rank of brigadier general. His name is most famously, and tragically, associated with the Battle of Gettysburg, specifically the climactic third day on July 3, 1863. As part of the ill-fated assault known as Pickett's Charge, Armistead led his brigade with remarkable courage, penetrating Union lines further than any other Confederate unit. This desperate, heroic push reached a pivotal location on Cemetery Ridge, a point forever after designated as the "high-water mark of the Confederacy." Despite this extraordinary feat, Armistead and his valiant men were ultimately overwhelmed by the Union defense. Severely wounded and captured, he would succumb to his injuries just two days later, dying in a Union field hospital on July 5, 1863.

A Soldier's Life: From U.S. Army to Confederate General

Born into a prominent Virginia family with a strong military tradition, Lewis Addison Armistead was steeped in the world of soldiering from an early age. His path to becoming a career United States Army officer was marked by service in conflicts like the Mexican-American War, where he gained valuable combat experience and demonstrated leadership qualities. However, the escalating tensions between North and South presented a profound dilemma for officers like Armistead, who had built their lives serving the nation. When his home state of Virginia seceded, Armistead, like many of his Southern-born peers, felt a deep loyalty to his state outweighed his federal oath. He resigned his commission from the U.S. Army to join the Confederate cause, a decision that placed him in direct opposition to former comrades and even close friends, embodying the personal tragedy that defined the Civil War. His dedication and proven abilities quickly earned him a promotion to brigadier general in the Confederate States Army, where he commanded a brigade of Virginians under the division of Major General George Pickett.

The High-Water Mark: Pickett's Charge and Gettysburg

The summer of 1863 saw Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee advance into Pennsylvania, culminating in the monumental Battle of Gettysburg. On July 3, the third and final day of the battle, Lee ordered what would become one of the most famous, and ultimately disastrous, infantry assaults in military history: Pickett's Charge. This massive frontal assault across open fields towards the heavily fortified Union center on Cemetery Ridge was a desperate gamble. Brigadier General Armistead's brigade, part of Pickett's division, was at the forefront of this advance. With the weight of the Confederacy's hopes on their shoulders, Armistead famously placed his hat on the tip of his sword, urging his men forward through a hail of Union artillery and rifle fire. Leading from the front, he and a small contingent of his soldiers managed to breach the Union line at a low stone wall, an achievement that cemented this location as the "high-water mark of the Confederacy". This point represented the deepest penetration into Union territory achieved by the Confederate army during the entire war, a symbolic apex of their struggle.

A Tragic End and Enduring Legacy

Despite the incredible bravery displayed by Armistead and his men at the "high-water mark," their success was fleeting. Isolated and without sufficient support, they were quickly overwhelmed by counter-attacking Union forces. In the ferocious close-quarters combat, General Armistead was severely wounded, shot multiple times, and subsequently captured by Union troops. He was taken to a Union field hospital behind the lines, where he lay grievously injured. Two days later, on July 5, 1863, the valiant general succumbed to his wounds, dying at the age of 46. His death, occurring just as the Confederacy suffered a decisive defeat at Gettysburg, underscored the immense human cost of the war and the personal sacrifices made by those on both sides. The story of Lewis Armistead, particularly his leadership during Pickett's Charge and his tragic end at the "high-water mark," remains a powerful and enduring narrative within American Civil War history, representing both the unwavering courage and the profound sorrow of the conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lewis Armistead

Who was Lewis Addison Armistead?
Lewis Addison Armistead was a career United States Army officer who became a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He is best known for his courageous leadership during Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.
When and where was he born and when did he die?
Armistead was born on February 18, 1817, and died on July 5, 1863, two days after being wounded and captured during Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg.
What was his most significant action during the Civil War?
His most significant action was leading his brigade to the "high-water mark of the Confederacy" on July 3, 1863, during Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg, representing the farthest point reached by Confederate forces during the war.
What is the "high-water mark of the Confederacy"?
The "high-water mark of the Confederacy" refers to a specific location on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg where Lewis Armistead's brigade briefly breached the Union lines during Pickett's Charge, marking the deepest penetration of Confederate forces into Union territory during the American Civil War.
How did Lewis Armistead die?
He was severely wounded and captured by Union troops during Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. He died two days later, on July 5, 1863, in a Union field hospital from his injuries.