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{{Short description|A university professor and Confederate general in the American Civil War.}}
{{For|the Union general and Kansas senator with the same name|James Henry Lane (Union general)}}
{{For|the Union general and Kansas senator with the same name|James Henry Lane (Union general)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name=James H. Lane
| name = James H. Lane
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1833|7|28}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1833|7|28}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|1907|9|21|1833|7|28}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1907|9|21|1833|7|28}}
|birth_place= [[Mathews, Virginia|Mathews Courthouse, Virginia]]
| birth_place = [[Mathews, Virginia|Mathews Courthouse, Virginia]]
|death_place= [[Auburn, Alabama]]
| death_place = [[Auburn, Alabama]]
|placeofburial= Pine Hill Cemetery <br /> Auburn, Alabama
| placeofburial = Pine Hill Cemetery <br /> Auburn, Alabama
|image= James Henry Lane CSA.jpg
| image = James Henry Lane CSA.jpg
|caption= James Henry Lane in Confederate general uniform;<br />photo taken in 1865
| caption = James Henry Lane in Confederate general uniform;<br />photo taken in 1865
| signature = Signature of James Henry Lane (1833–1907).png
|nickname= The Little General <br /> "Little Jim"
| nickname = The Little General <br /> "Little Jim"
|allegiance= {{flag|Confederate States of America}}
| allegiance = {{flag|Confederate States of America}}
|branch= {{army|CSA}}
| branch = {{army|CSA}}
|serviceyears= 1861 &ndash; 1865
| serviceyears = 1861 &ndash; 1865
|rank= [[Brigadier General (CSA)|Brigadier General]]
| rank = [[File:Confederate States of America General-collar.svg|35px]] [[Brigadier General (CSA)|Brigadier General]]
|commands= 28th North Carolina Infantry<br />Lane's Brigade
|unit= 1st North Carolina Volunteers
| commands = 28th North Carolina Infantry<br />Lane's Brigade
| unit = 1st North Carolina Volunteers
|battles=[[American Civil War]]
| battles = [[American Civil War]]
* [[Battle of Big Bethel]]
* [[Battle of Big Bethel]]
* [[Seven Days Battles]]
* [[Seven Days Battles]]
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* [[Siege of Petersburg]]
* [[Siege of Petersburg]]
* [[Battle of Appomattox Court House]]
* [[Battle of Appomattox Court House]]
|awards=
| awards =
|laterwork=Professor at [[Virginia Military Institute]]; North Carolina Military Institute; [[Virginia Polytechnic Institute|Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College]]; [[Auburn University|Alabama Polytechnic Institute]]
| laterwork = Professor at [[Virginia Military Institute]]; North Carolina Military Institute; [[Virginia Polytechnic Institute|Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College]]; [[Auburn University|Alabama Polytechnic Institute]]
}}
}}


'''James Henry Lane''' (July 28, 1833 &ndash; September 21, 1907) was a university professor and [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] [[General officer|general]] in the [[American Civil War]].
'''James Henry Lane''' (July 28, 1833 &ndash; September 21, 1907) was a university professor and [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] [[General officer|general]] in the [[American Civil War]].


As its first [[Commandant]], he is considered to be the father of the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets]] and is the namesake of the University's oldest building, [[Campus of Virginia Tech|Lane Hall]].<ref name=vt>{{cite web | title = Lane Hall | url = http://www.vt.edu/about/buildings/lane-hall.html | publisher=Virginia Tech | accessdate = 2013-01-17}}</ref>
As its first [[Commandant]], he is considered to be the father of the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets]] and is the namesake of the University's oldest building, [[Campus of Virginia Tech|Lane Hall]].<ref name=vt>{{cite web | title = Lane Hall | url = http://www.vt.edu/about/buildings/lane-hall.html | publisher=Virginia Tech | access-date = 2013-01-17}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
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== Civil War ==
== Civil War ==
Lane joined the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate Army]] and was commissioned as a [[major]] in the 1st North Carolina Volunteers on May 11, 1861. He participated in the [[Battle of Big Bethel]] and was made lieutenant colonel. Further promotion came quickly and he was a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] and commander of the 28th North Carolina Infantry [[Regiment]] by September 15. In the [[Seven Days Battles]] of 1862 he was twice wounded leading his regiment. He served in [[Major General (CSA)|Major General]] [[A.P. Hill]]'s division of [[Stonewall Jackson|Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson]]'s [[Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia|Second Corps]] for [[Second Battle of Bull Run|Second Bull Run]] and took over brigade command following the death of [[Brigadier General (CSA)|Brigadier General]] [[Lawrence O. Branch]] at the [[Battle of Antietam]]. He was promoted to brigadier general on November 1, 1862.<ref name=Eicher338 /> It was soldiers of Lane's brigade that accidentally shot General Jackson as he returned from a nighttime scouting trip in front of the Confederate lines during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Lane's command became the 2nd Brigade in [[W. Dorsey Pender]]'s division of Hill's [[Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia|Third Corps]] of the [[Army of Northern Virginia]] the following May, directly before the beginning of the [[Gettysburg Campaign]].<ref name=Eicher338 />
Lane joined the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate Army]] and was commissioned as a [[Major (rank)|major]] in the 1st North Carolina Volunteers on May 11, 1861. He participated in the [[Battle of Big Bethel]] and was made lieutenant colonel. Further promotion came quickly and he was a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] and commander of the 28th North Carolina Infantry [[Regiment]] by September 15. In the [[Seven Days Battles]] of 1862 he was twice wounded leading his regiment. He served in [[Major General (CSA)|Major General]] [[A.P. Hill]]'s division of [[Stonewall Jackson|Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson]]'s [[Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia|Second Corps]] for [[Second Battle of Bull Run|Second Bull Run]] and took over brigade command following the death of [[Brigadier General (CSA)|Brigadier General]] [[Lawrence O. Branch]] at the [[Battle of Antietam]]. He was promoted to brigadier general on November 1, 1862.<ref name=Eicher338 /> It was soldiers with Major John D. Barry of Lane's brigade that accidentally shot General Jackson as he returned from a nighttime scouting trip in front of the Confederate lines during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Lane's command became the 2nd Brigade in [[W. Dorsey Pender]]'s division of Hill's [[Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia|Third Corps]] of the [[Army of Northern Virginia]] the following May, directly before the beginning of the [[Gettysburg Campaign]].<ref name=Eicher338 />


At the [[Battle of Gettysburg]], Lane's brigade fought on the first day (July 1, 1863) and Lane briefly assumed command of Pender's division following that officer's mortal wounding on the second day. He was replaced in division command by Major General [[Isaac R. Trimble]] and returned to lead his brigade during [[Pickett's Charge]], during which he was wounded when his horse was shot from under him.<ref name=Eicher338 /> Over the three-day battle, his brigade suffered almost 50% casualties.<ref>Warner, p. 173.</ref> When Trimble was wounded in the attack, Lane resumed temporary command of the division.
At the [[Battle of Gettysburg]], Lane's brigade fought on the first day (July 1, 1863) and Lane briefly assumed command of Pender's division following that officer's mortal wounding on the second day. He was replaced in division command by Major General [[Isaac R. Trimble]] and returned to lead his brigade during [[Pickett's Charge]], during which he was wounded when his horse was shot from under him.<ref name=Eicher338 /> Over the three-day battle, his brigade suffered almost 50% casualties.<ref>Warner, p. 173.</ref> When Trimble was wounded in the attack, Lane resumed temporary command of the division.
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Lane returned to academic life, as professor of [[civil engineering]] and commerce at [[Virginia Polytechnic Institute|Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (VAMC)]]&mdash;founded in 1872, name changed to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in 1896&mdash;and from 1881 until his death, professor of civil engineering and commandant at [[Alabama Polytechnic Institute]], now known as [[Auburn University]].<ref name=Eicher338 />
Lane returned to academic life, as professor of [[civil engineering]] and commerce at [[Virginia Polytechnic Institute|Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (VAMC)]]&mdash;founded in 1872, name changed to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in 1896&mdash;and from 1881 until his death, professor of civil engineering and commandant at [[Alabama Polytechnic Institute]], now known as [[Auburn University]].<ref name=Eicher338 />


Lane served as the first commandant of the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] at VAMC. Before resigning, he had an argument with President [[Charles Minor]], who wanted the college to eliminate strict military restrictions.<ref>{{cite hyhhhdhhducuudhduciucjcjcjjc jjdjdjdv web|url=http://www.vtmag.vt.edu/fall11/feature1.html|title=Virginia Tech Magazine. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Virginia|work=vt.edu}}</ref>
Lane served as the first commandant of the [[Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] at VAMC. Before resigning, he had an argument with President [[Charles Minor]], who wanted the college to eliminate strict military restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vtmag.vt.edu/fall11/feature1.html|title=Virginia Tech Magazine. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Virginia|work=vt.edu}}</ref>


Lane died in [[Auburn, Alabama]], and is interred there in Pine Hill Cemetery.<ref name=Eicher338 />
Lane died in [[Auburn, Alabama]], and is interred there in Pine Hill Cemetery.<ref name=Eicher338 />


==Honors==
== Honors ==
Lane Hall, originally known as Barracks No. 1, on the Virginia Tech campus is named for General Lane. The barracks housed 130 cadets until it was converted into academic offices in 1967. Built in 1888, Lane Hall is listed on the [[Virginia Landmarks Register]] and [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2015/01/012715-vpa-lanehallhistoric.html|title = Lane Hall receives national historical status}}</ref>


A [[klavern]] based in Auburn, Alabama, that was in existence by 1923 was named after General Lane.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/when-the-klan-came-to-blacksburg/article_38fc985c-ed72-11e7-b444-bb4b6ea93bb4.html|title = When the Klan came to Blacksburg}}</ref>
Lane Hall, originally known as Gay boy No. 1, on the Virginia Tech campus is named for General Lane. The barracks housed 130 cadets until it was converted into academic offices in 1967. Built in 1888, Lane Hall is listed on the [[Virginia Landmarks Register]] and [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2015/01/012715-vpa-lanehallhistoric.html</ref>

The Lane Residence Hall, a co-ed residence hall in the Lower Quad on the Auburn University campus is named for General Lane.

A [[klavern]] based in Auburn, Alabama, that was in existence by 1923 was named after General Lane.<ref>http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/when-the-klan-came-to-blacksburg/article_38fc985c-ed72-11e7-b444-bb4b6ea93bb4.html</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.lib.auburn.edu/archive/find-aid/501.htm Auburn University Letter Collection]
* [http://www.lib.auburn.edu/archive/find-aid/501.htm Auburn University Letter Collection]
* {{Find a Grave|8759|accessdate=2008-07-06}}
* {{Find a Grave|8759|access-date=2008-07-06}}
{{Gettysburg figures|state=collapsed}}
{{Gettysburg figures|state=collapsed}}


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[[Category:1833 births]]
[[Category:1833 births]]
[[Category:1907 deaths]]
[[Category:1907 deaths]]
[[Category:Auburn University faculty]]
[[Category:Confederate States Army brigadier generals]]
[[Category:Confederate States Army brigadier generals]]
[[Category:North Carolina Military Institute]]
[[Category:People from Mathews, Virginia]]
[[Category:People from Mathews, Virginia]]
[[Category:Virginia Tech faculty]]
[[Category:People of North Carolina in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Auburn University faculty]]
[[Category:People of Virginia in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People of Virginia in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:People of North Carolina in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Southern Historical Society]]
[[Category:Virginia Military Institute alumni]]
[[Category:Virginia Military Institute alumni]]
[[Category:Virginia Tech faculty]]
[[Category:University of Virginia alumni]]
[[Category:University of Virginia alumni]]

Latest revision as of 08:36, 28 September 2024

James H. Lane
James Henry Lane in Confederate general uniform;
photo taken in 1865
Nickname(s)The Little General
"Little Jim"
Born(1833-07-28)July 28, 1833
Mathews Courthouse, Virginia
DiedSeptember 21, 1907(1907-09-21) (aged 74)
Auburn, Alabama
Buried
Pine Hill Cemetery
Auburn, Alabama
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Service / branch Confederate States Army
Years of service1861 – 1865
Rank Brigadier General
Unit1st North Carolina Volunteers
Commands28th North Carolina Infantry
Lane's Brigade
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
Other workProfessor at Virginia Military Institute; North Carolina Military Institute; Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College; Alabama Polytechnic Institute
Signature

James Henry Lane (July 28, 1833 – September 21, 1907) was a university professor and Confederate general in the American Civil War.

As its first Commandant, he is considered to be the father of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and is the namesake of the University's oldest building, Lane Hall.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Lane was born in Mathews Court House, Virginia. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1854 and received a master's degree from the University of Virginia in 1857. He was a professor of mathematics at VMI and then of natural philosophy at the North Carolina Military Institute until the start of the Civil War.[2]

Civil War

[edit]

Lane joined the Confederate Army and was commissioned as a major in the 1st North Carolina Volunteers on May 11, 1861. He participated in the Battle of Big Bethel and was made lieutenant colonel. Further promotion came quickly and he was a colonel and commander of the 28th North Carolina Infantry Regiment by September 15. In the Seven Days Battles of 1862 he was twice wounded leading his regiment. He served in Major General A.P. Hill's division of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's Second Corps for Second Bull Run and took over brigade command following the death of Brigadier General Lawrence O. Branch at the Battle of Antietam. He was promoted to brigadier general on November 1, 1862.[2] It was soldiers with Major John D. Barry of Lane's brigade that accidentally shot General Jackson as he returned from a nighttime scouting trip in front of the Confederate lines during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Lane's command became the 2nd Brigade in W. Dorsey Pender's division of Hill's Third Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia the following May, directly before the beginning of the Gettysburg Campaign.[2]

At the Battle of Gettysburg, Lane's brigade fought on the first day (July 1, 1863) and Lane briefly assumed command of Pender's division following that officer's mortal wounding on the second day. He was replaced in division command by Major General Isaac R. Trimble and returned to lead his brigade during Pickett's Charge, during which he was wounded when his horse was shot from under him.[2] Over the three-day battle, his brigade suffered almost 50% casualties.[3] When Trimble was wounded in the attack, Lane resumed temporary command of the division.

In 1864, Lane continued in brigade command, through the Overland Campaign and Siege of Petersburg. In June, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, he was wounded in the groin. In February and March 1865, he commanded Cadmus M. Wilcox's division. He continued to serve during the Appomattox Campaign, where he was paroled from Appomattox Court House after Robert E. Lee's surrender on April 9.[2]

Postbellum career

[edit]
Lane Hall circa 1888-89

Lane returned to academic life, as professor of civil engineering and commerce at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (VAMC)—founded in 1872, name changed to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in 1896—and from 1881 until his death, professor of civil engineering and commandant at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University.[2]

Lane served as the first commandant of the Corps of Cadets at VAMC. Before resigning, he had an argument with President Charles Minor, who wanted the college to eliminate strict military restrictions.[4]

Lane died in Auburn, Alabama, and is interred there in Pine Hill Cemetery.[2]

Honors

[edit]

Lane Hall, originally known as Barracks No. 1, on the Virginia Tech campus is named for General Lane. The barracks housed 130 cadets until it was converted into academic offices in 1967. Built in 1888, Lane Hall is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places.[5]

A klavern based in Auburn, Alabama, that was in existence by 1923 was named after General Lane.[6]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Lane Hall". Virginia Tech. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Eicher, p. 338.
  3. ^ Warner, p. 173.
  4. ^ "Virginia Tech Magazine. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Virginia". vt.edu.
  5. ^ "Lane Hall receives national historical status".
  6. ^ "When the Klan came to Blacksburg".

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Martin, David G. Gettysburg July 1. rev. ed. Conshohocken, PA: Combined Publishing, 1996. ISBN 0-938289-81-0.
  • Pfanz, Harry W. Gettysburg – The First Day. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8078-2624-3.
[edit]