Edmund Rucker
| Edmund Winchester Rucker | |
|---|---|
Rucker in 1920
|
|
| Born |
July 22, 1835 Murfreesboro, Tennessee |
| Died | April 13, 1924 (aged 88) Birmingham, Alabama, Alabama |
| Buried | Oak Hill Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 Confederate States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 Confederate States Army
|
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |
|
| Unit |
Pickett's Company, Sappers & Miners 1st Tennessee Heavy Artillery |
| Commands held |
|
| Battles/wars | |
| Memorials | Fort Rucker |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Adele Woodfin Mary T. Bentley |
| Other work | surveyor, engineer, railroad president, business owner, banker |
Edmund Winchester Rucker (July 22, 1835 – April 13, 1924) was a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. After the war he became an industrial leader of Birmingham, Alabama. Fort Rucker, Alabama was named in his honor.
Edmund Rucker was born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee on July 22, 1835. He was the grandson of Gen. James Winchester, a veteran of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. After a basic education Rucker moved to Nashville in 1853, working as railroad surveyor before becoming an engineer. He was the city engineer of Memphis during the late 1850s.
When the Civil War broke out Rucker enlisted in the Confederate States Army as a private in Pickett's Tennessee Company of Sappers and Miners. Sent to Kentucky, he was promoted to lieutenant. On May 10, 1862 he was transferred and promoted to captain of Company C, 1st Tennessee Heavy Artillery, his unit composed primarily of men from Illinois. His company worked three 8-inch Columbiads and three 32-pounders as part of the garrison during the Battle of Island Number Ten. When the island fell he escaped and was commended for his valor. Rucker was transferred to the cavalry with the rank of major and assigned to enforce conscription laws in East Tennessee. His unit became the 16th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion. In early 1863 Rucker was promoted to colonel and given command of the newly created 1st East Tennessee Legion, also known as Rucker's Legion. Its components were his battalion as well as 12th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion and a battery of artillery. With his legion he participated in Pegram's Kentucky Raid, the Battle of Chickamauga and the Chattanooga Campaign.
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