Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/437

412 regiment to be on duty at just such points. After serving at Mobile, and in east Tennessee until the winter of 1862, he and his regiment, in Tracy's brigade, were sent to Mississippi. The first battle in which Colonel Garrott had a chance to show his steady valor and skill in handling his regiment was in resisting Grant's advance from the river, at Port Gibson, May 1, 1863. Both there and at Baker's Creek he acquitted himself with great credit. When Pemberton allowed his army to be shut up in Vicksburg, he and his regiment shared the fortunes of that excellent gentleman, but unfortunate general. Just four days before the investment of Vicksburg had been made complete his commission as brigadier-general had been forwarded from Richmond. He cheerfully bore the privations and perils of the siege, and set his men an example of the courage and spirit with which a true soldier endures every trial that the good of the cause demands. He was frequently on the outposts, cheering his men in the performance of their perilous duties. On the 17th of June he asked of one of the private soldiers the privilege of using his rifle to fire at the enemy. The soldier gave him the piece, he brought it to his shoulder, and was taking aim when a ball pierced his heart. Without a word he fell and expired. He was buried in Vicksburg, sincerely mourned by the gallant men whom he had led, by his fellow officers, and by the people of his adopted State.

Brigadier-General Archibald Gracie was the son of Archibald Gracie, a merchant of Mobile for seventeen years prior to the Confederate war. His grandfather was one of the rich merchants of New York. His mother was Miss Bethune, of Charleston, S.C. General Gracie was born in New York, December, 1833. When of suitable age he attended for five years a school in Europe. In September, 1850, he was appointed to the United States military academy from New Jersey. On