Robert Houston Anderson

Infobox Military Person
name= Robert Houston Anderson
born= October 1, 1835
died= February 8, 1888


caption=Robert H. Anderson
nickname=
placeofbirth= Savannah, Georgia
placeofdeath= Savannah, Georgia
allegiance= Confederate States of America
branch= Confederate States Army
serviceyears= 1861–65
rank= Brigadier General
unit= Army of Tennessee
commands= Anderson's Brigade
battles= American Civil War
*First Battle of Fort McAllister
*Atlanta Campaign
*Carolinas Campaign
awards=
relations=
laterwork= U.S. Army officer, police chief

Robert Houston Anderson (October 1, 1835 – February 8, 1888) was a cavalry and artillery officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

Early life and career

Born in Savannah, Georgia, Anderson was educated in the local schools. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy. After graduation, as a brevet second lieutenant, he was stationed in upstate New York. He later served as an infantry first lieutenant at Fort Walla Walla in the Washington Territory. [http://www.multied.com/Bio/CWcGENS/CSAAndersonRobertHouston.html Bio of Robert H. Anderson] ]

Civil War service

In early 1861, shortly before the official seccession of his home state, Anderson accepted a commission in the Confederate army as a lieutenant in the artillery. In September of that year, he was promoted to major. He was later appointed assistant adjutant general to Maj. Gen. W. H. T. Walker of the Georgia State militia, later seeing action at the First Battle of Fort McAllister before his transfer to the frontlines as colonel of the 5th Georgia Cavalry.

Commissioned a brigadier general on July 26, 1864, Anderson was attached to the Army of Tennessee as a cavalry officer during the Atlanta Campaign. After the death of commanding officer Brig. Gen. John H. Kelly near Franklin, Tennessee, Anderson assumed temporary command of the division before resuming his former position as brigade commander following the fall of Atlanta. He would later lead his brigade against advancing Union forces during Sherman's March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign before the collapse of the Confederacy in April 1865. [Linedecker, p.]

Postbellum career

Following the war, Anderson served as the police chief of Savannah, where he died at the age of 52. [Find A Grave]

References

*Linedecker, Clifford L., ed. "Civil War, A-Z: The Complete Handbook of America's Bloodiest Conflict". New York: Ballentine Books, 2002. ISBN 0-89141-878-4.

Notes

External links

*Findagrave|9853 Retrieved on 2008-02-13
* [http://www.multied.com/Bio/CWcGENS/CSAAndersonRobertHouston.html Bio of Robert H. Anderson]