Maj. Gen. James B. Ricketts
Born: June 21, 1817
New York City, New York
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Died: September 22, 1887
Washington, D.C.
1839: West Point Graduate
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April 1846: 1st Lieutenant
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August 1853: Captain
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July 1861: Brevet Lieutenant Colonel
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April 30, 1862: Brig. Gen.
effective July 12, 1861
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June 3, 1864: Brevet Colonel,
Regular Army
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December 12, 1864: Brevet Maj. Gen.
of Volunteers
Maj. Gen. James B. Ricketts
1839: West Point Graduate 16th of 31 - Assigned to 1st U.S. Artillery
Canada border disturbances
April 1846: Promoted to 1st Lieutenant
1846-1848: Mexican/American War
September 21-23, 1846: Battle of Monterrey
February 22-23, 1847: Battle of Buena Vista - held the Rinconada Pass along with Abner Doubleday
August 1853: Promoted to Captain
Seminole Indian Wars
Frontier Duty in Texas
Early 1861: Commanded artillery battery in capture of Alexandria, Virginia
July 21, 1861: Battle of Bull Run - Shot four times and captured when his battery, Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery was overrun
For his actions, received brevet lieutenant colonel in Regular Army
Prisoner of War in Richmond - Wife was allowed to visit and nurse him to health
December 18, 1861: Exchanged for Confederate Colonel Julius A. De Lagnel - Not paroled until January 1862 when he was placed on medical leave
April 30, 1862: President Lincoln appointed Ricketts Brigadier General effective July 12, 1861
August 9, 1862: Battle of Cedar Mountain
August 28, 1862: Battle of Thoroughfare Gap
August 29-30, 1862: 2nd Battle of Bull Run
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September 15, 1862: Battle of Stone Mountain
September 17, 1862: Battle of Antietam - Two horses killed out from under him - 2nd horse fell on him injuring him
Appointed to Fitz John Porter court martial
March 1864: Returned to field as a division commander of General Sedgwick's VI Corps, which he led through Grant's Overland Campaign - May 4 - June 24, 1864
May 5-7, 1864: Battle of the Wilderness - Division performed poorly
May 31-June 12, 1864: Battle of Cold Harbor
Received Brevet of Colonel, Regular Army for gallant and meritorious service at Cold Harbor
July 1864: Battle of Monocacy - under Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace suffering heavy losses
December 12, 1864: President Lincoln nominated for appointment to brevet grade of Major General of Volunteers, effective August 1, 1861
August 7, 1864 - March 2, 1865: Gen. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign
October 19, 1864: Battle of Cedar Creek - commanding the VI Corps. Wounded by a Minie` ball through the chest that disables him for life
July 1865 - April 30, 1866: Command of a district in Department of Virginia
January 3, 1867: Retired from active service due to his health
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Boatner, Mark M. III. The Civil War Dictionary. New York: David McKay, 1967. p 699-700
James B. Ricketts. 27 February 2020. web. 23 July 2020.
Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Blue Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State, 1964. p 403-404
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