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Civil War Soldiers - Ricketts
| Ricketts, James B., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in New York city, June 21, 1817. He was graduated
at the United States military academy in 1839, served during the
Canadian border disturbances, and took part in the Mexican war, where
he was engaged in the battle of Monterey and held the Riconda pass
during the battle of Buena Vista. He was promoted captain in 1852,
served in Florida against the Seminole Indians, and was then on
frontier and garrison duty until the Civil war. His early service in
the Civil war was in the defenses of Washington and he commanded a
battery in the capture of Alexandria. He distinguished himself in the
battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. For his
gallantry on this occasion he was breveted lieutenant-colonel and
commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, and after being confined
as a prisoner of war and being absent on sick leave, he returned to
duty in June, 1862, and commanded a division in the Army of Virginia
during the Northern Virginia campaign, where he participated in the
battles of second Bull Run and Cedar mountain, and in the actions at
Rappahannock station and Thoroughfare gap. He also commanded a
division in the Maryland campaign, taking part in the battles of South
mountain and Antietam, was promoted major in the regular army, June 1,
1863, and commanded the 3d division, 6th army corps, under Gen. Grant
in the Richmond campaign, where he was engaged in the Wilderness, at
Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor, and in the siege of Petersburg. He was
brevetted colonel for gallantry at Cold Harbor, and in the defense of
Maryland against Gen. Early's raid commanded the 3d division under
Gen. Wallace at the battle of Monocacy. He commanded the 3d division,
6th army corps, Army of the Shenandoah, at Opequan, Fisher's hill, and
Cedar creek, Va., and was severely wounded in the last named battle.
Gen. Ricketts was brevetted major-general of volunteers, Aug. 1, 1864,
and on March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier- general in the
regular army for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of
Cedar creek, and major-general U. S. A. for gallant and meritorious
services in the field during the war. After the close of hostilities
he commanded a district in Virginia until April 30, 1866, when he was
mustered out of the volunteer service. He was retired from active
service in the regular army, Jan. 3, 1867, with the rank of
major-general, for disability incurred from wounds received in battle,
and he died in Washington, D. C., Sept. 27, 1887. Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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