This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FdF.2ACEB/159.1 Message Board Post: John Bratton was born March 7, 1831 in Winnsboro, SC. He was a physician in Fairfield County, SC, until the Civil War. He graduated from SC College in 1850 and received his M.D. at South Carolina Medical College in 1853. He married Elizabeth DuBose in 1859 and they had a son, William Bratton, Jr. (Dr.), who married Isabella Means. Playing an important role in the Civil War with the Confederacy, John Bratton was among the Sixth South Carolina VOlunteers. He became Second lieutenant on June 25, 1861; Leiutenant-Col. on April 12, 1862; Colonel, May 1, 1862; and Brigadier-General, PACS on May 6, 1864. During the Civil War, Bratton temporarily commanded Jenkins' Brigade, Pickett's Division, in the Dept. of Virginia and NC( March-April 1863); and in the Dept. of Southern Virginia (April 1-May 1863). He commanded Jenkins' Brigade, Hood's DIvision, Longstreet's Corps, Army of TEnnessee (Nov. 5, 1863-Feb. 1864); Jenkins' (old) Brigade, Field's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (May 6, 1864-Apr 9. 1865). After service in the Charleston Harbor, he went to Virginia and was named colonel upon the reorganization of the regiment. He led it at Yorktown, Williams burg, and Seven Pines where he was wounded and captured. Exchanged, he resumed command and led the regiment at Fredericksburg and in southeastern VIrginia where he was in temporary brigade command. Sent to Georgia and Tennessee, he again led the brigade at Wauhatchie and Knoxville. He directed his regiment at the Wilderness until General Jenkins was killed. Promoted to Brigadier, Bratton led the unit through Spot! sylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and surrendered at Appomattox. General Bratton was known as "Old Reliable," and was listed in the roll of honor of Infantry officers present for surrender and parole. Following the war he was a farmer and prominent in South Carolina politics. He was a state legislator on the S. C Senate (1863-1866), and was on the House of Reps for their state 1884-1885. John Bratton died in Winnsboro on January 12, 1898. (Info taken from "Harper's History of the Civil War" by Alfred Guernsey & Henry Alden; and "Lee's Lieutenants (vol. 1-3)" by Douglas S. Freeman.)