Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn
| Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn | |
|---|---|
Brig. Gen. Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn, ca. 1864
|
|
| Born |
September 21, 1824 Webster, Pennsylvania |
| Died | May 17, 1901 (aged 76) Broad Run, West Virginia |
| Place of burial | Broad Run Baptist Church Cemetery, Lightburn, West Virginia |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846-1851 1861-1865 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Commands held | 4th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | Baptist minister, farmer |
Mexican–American War
American Civil War
Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn (September 21, 1824 – May 17, 1901) was a farmer, soldier and Baptist Minister, most famous for his service as a Union general during the American Civil War.
Lightburn was born in Pennsylvania, the oldest of 5 children. His family moved to Lewis County, Virginia (later West Virginia) and worked on his family's farm. He became friends with Thomas J. Jackson (later known as General "Stonewall" Jackson), whose home was only a few miles away. The Lightburn family freely lent young Jackson books from their large library and took him to church. The two were lifelong friends. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in the Mexican War; serving until 1851 when he was discharged as Sergeant. In 1859 he became a licensed minister in the Baptist church.
When the Civil War began Lightburn was appointed colonel of the 4th (West) Virginia Infantry Regiment on August 14, 1861. Two of his brothers, Martin Van Buren Lightburn and Calvin Luther Lightburn, also joined this regiment and served with their older brother throughout the war. Another brother, John Fell Lightburn, joined the Confederate Army instead. Joseph Lightburn's regiment served under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan during the West Virginia Campaign early in the war. For much of 1862 he commanded the 4th Brigade in the District of Kanawha. He was forced to evacuate the Kanawha Valley in the face of Confederate General William W. Loring, but helped drive these same Confederates out of the valley during Jacob D. Cox's operations in West Virginia.
On March 14, 1863, Lightburn was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and ordered to report to the Army of the Tennessee. He arrived in January 1863 but shortly after went on a leave of absence and returned to his home in West Virginia. During this time Confederate generals William E. "Grumble" Jones and John D. Imboden conducted a raid through the area and Lightburn was enlisted to raise troops to fend off the raid. Returning to the Army of the Tennessee he assumed command of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XV Corps on May 23 just after the siege of Vicksburg had begun and led the brigade throughout the rest of the siege and following expedition against Jackson, Mississippi. Afterward he was temporarily in command of the 2nd Division of the XV Corps.
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