Civil War
At the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861, Cockrell joined the Missouri State Guard as a captain. After transferring to the Confederate army and being promoted to colonel, he was an important leader in the Vicksburg Campaign and was wounded in the hand by an exploding shell during the Siege of Vicksburg. Cockrell distinguished himself at the Battle of Champion Hill, launching a counterattack that temporarily ousted troops of XVII Corps off the hill. He also took part in the Battle of Big Black River Bridge. His brigade was able to escape just before federal troops seized the bridge.
Cockrell was promoted to brigadier general on July 18, 1863. In April 1865, shortly before the end of the war, Cockrell was captured in Alabama, but was paroled after a few weeks. He returned to his law practice in Missouri.
Read more about this topic: Francis Cockrell
Famous quotes related to civil war:
“During the Civil War the area became a refuge for service- dodging Texans, and gangs of bushwhackers, as they were called, hid in its fastnesses. Conscript details of the Confederate Army hunted the fugitives and occasional skirmishes resulted.”
—Administration in the State of Texa, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)