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The Battle of South Mountain
Fox's Gap, Gen. Garland
Brigadier General Samuel Garland, Jr., CSA (1830-1862)
Samuel came from an old Virginia family (his great-uncle was President James Madison).
In 1849 he graduated third in his class from the Virginia Military Institute. He then
attended the University of Virginia and received his law degree in 1851. Garland set up a
law practice in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he married and had one child, a son named
Samuel. In late 1859 Garland helped organize the "Lynchburg Home Guard," which
became part of the 11th Virginia Infantry, commanded by Garland. On June 12, 1861, his
beloved wife died. Three months later his only child, little Samuel, also perished.
Garland rose rapidly through the ranks and earned a reputation for fearlessness and
coolness in battle. With reckless disregard for his own safety, Garland constantly exposed
himself to the dangers of combat. Rumor attributed Garland's courage under fire to a death
wish, a desire to join his wife and son. On the morning of September 14, 1862, while
leading his brigade into battle at Fox's Gap,
Garland was struck by a Minie ball and died within minutes. His body was transported to
Lynchburg and buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery on September 19, 1862.
A commemorative marker to Garland has
been erected on CMHL land at Fox's Gap.
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