James Fleming Fagan

James Fleming Fagan (March 1, 1828 – September 1, 1893) was a farmer, politician, and a senior officer of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. His brigade distinguished itself in the Camden Expedition of 1864, helping to drive the Federal army from southwest Arkansas.[1]

James Fleming Fagan
Fagan in uniform, ca. 1862
Member of the Arkansas Senate
from Hot Spring, Montgomery and Saline counties
In office
November 5, 1860 – November 3, 1862
Preceded byW. H. Hammond
Succeeded byF. Leach
Member of the
Arkansas House of Representatives
from Saline County
In office
November 1, 1852 – November 6, 1854
Preceded byJ. M. Willis
D. Dodd
Succeeded byA. R. Hockersmith
Personal details
Born(1828-03-01)March 1, 1828
Clark County, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedSeptember 1, 1893(1893-09-01) (aged 65)
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Cause of deathMalaria
Resting placeMount Holly Cemetery,
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
34°44′15.3″N 92°16′42.5″W
Political partyWhig (1852–1856)
American Party (1856–1862)
Spouse(s)
Mura Elisiff Beall
​
(
m. 1851; died 1870)

Elizabeth Mildred Ora Rapley
(
m. 1873)
RelationsSamuel Adams (stepfather)
Children5
Military service
Allegiance United States
 Confederate States
Branch/serviceUnited States Volunteers
 Confederate States Army
Years of service1846–1847 (USV)
1861–1865 (CSA)
Rank Second Lieutenant (USV)
Major-General (CSA)
Commands1st Arkansas Infantry
Battles/warsMexican–American War

American Civil War

Early life

James Fleming Fagan was born in Clark County, Kentucky. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Little Rock. His father had been hired to work on the Old State House. His father died during his youth and his mother, Catherine A. Fagan, in 1842 married Samuel Adams, who became acting governor of Arkansas two years later.[1]

After his stepfather's death, Fagan took control of the family farm along the Saline River in southern Arkansas. Though he was a member of the Whig Party, he represented the heavily Democratic Saline County for one term in the Arkansas state legislature. He served in the United States Volunteers during the Mexican–American War with the 1st Arkansas Mounted Infantry under Colonel Archibald Yell and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.[1]

American Civil War

At the start of the American Civil War, Fagan raised a company for the Confederate States Army and became its captain. When his unit was folded in with the 1st Arkansas Infantry on May 6, 1861, the very day that Arkansas seceded from the Union, Fagan was elected as colonel of the combined 900-man regiment. They were formally mustered into service in Lynchburg, Virginia, in May 1861. His regiment was a part of the first wave of Confederate attacks under Albert Sidney Johnston at the Battle of Shiloh. He also participated in the battle at Farmington, Mississippi, on May 9 and the Siege of Corinth, but fell into disfavor with his superior officer, Braxton Bragg. He was soon transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Department, where he fought at Cane Hill and Prairie Grove in command of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry.[1]

Fagan was promoted to brigadier general on September 12, 1862, and commanded a brigade entirely composed of Arkansas regiments. He played a central role in the Battle of Helena, where he and his brigade made repeated assaults on Federal artillery batteries. He assumed command of Price's division upon the latter's promotion, and played a role in the successful defense of Little Rock.[1]

Fagan fought in the Camden Expedition, including the successful destruction of a Federal supply train at the Battle of Marks' Mill, which led to the Federal retreat from southern Arkansas. In recognition for his service in the Camden Expedition, he was promoted to major-general on April 24, 1864, and commanded the Arkansas division of Confederate cavalry during Price's Missouri Expedition. His division broke in a "disgraceful manner" during the failed assault on Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob, Missouri.[2] During Price's withdrawal from Missouri and Kansas, Fagan and Marmaduke's divisions were overwhelmed at the Battle of Mine Creek. The end of the war found Fagan in command of the District of Arkansas of the Trans-Mississippi Department, which was active militarily until late April 1865.[1]

Later life

Fagan was paroled by the U.S. government on June 20, 1865. After his parole, he returned to his farm to make a living. He participated in the Brooks-Baxter War of Arkansas in 1874, serving as Joseph Brooks' main commander, despite Fagan's former service as a Confederate officer. He was appointed a U.S. Marshal by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1875. He served as a receiver for the United States Land Office in 1877. In 1890, he ran for Arkansas Railroad Commissioner, but was defeated.[1] Fagan died in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was buried at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery in that city.[3]

Personal life

Fagan's first wife was the sister of General William Nathan Rector Beall. He was also related by marriage to Governor Henry Massey Rector.

Legacy

Chapter No. 280 of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars in Jonesboro, Arkansas, was named after him.

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See also

References
  1. "James Fleming Fagan". Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  2. Kennedy, Frances H., ed. The Civil War Battlefield Guide. 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998. ISBN 978-0-395-74012-5. pp. 380-382.
  3. "James Fleming Fagan". Find A Grave. Retrieved February 14, 2019.

Further reading
  • Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-8047-3641-1.
  • Sifakis, Stewart. Who Was Who in the Civil War. New York: Facts On File, 1988. ISBN 978-0-8160-1055-4.
  • Warner, Ezra J., Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders, Louisiana State University Press, 1959, ISBN 978-0-8071-0823-9.
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