Historical Rosters Database
Birkett Davenport Fry
Roster ID 134This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
| First Name: | Birkett |
| Middle Name: | Davenport |
| Last Name: | Fry |
| Suffix: | |
| Affiliation: | Class of 1843 |
| Biography & Genealogy: | Birkett Davenport Fry, Class of 1843: Born- June 24, 1822. Matriculated from Kanawha County, West Virginia. At VMI 1 year, having entered as a Third Classman (sophomore). Pre War Record: At Washington (Pennsylvania) College 1838-39 (now Washington and Jefferson College) in "Grammar School and English Department;" left VMI to attend US Military Academy 1842-43; studied law and admitted to bar in 1846 Military Record: Promoted to First Lieutenant in the United States Army on Feb. 24, 1847; assigned to 1st Voltigeur Regiment; served as Adjutant June 15 - August 26, 1847; distinguished at Chapultepec; reassigned to California Aug. 31, 1848; involved mid-1850s with "General" W. Walker's filibustering efforts in Central and South America; served as a "Colonel" and "Brigadier General" in Walker's "army," and subsequently made "Governor" of Grenada; relocated to Tallahassee, Alabama in 1859; helped raise and appointed Colonel (July 19, 1861) of the 13th Alabama; severely Wounded in Action (right hand) on May 31, 1862 at Seven Pines; severely Wounded in Action (left arm) and highly praised for "heroic" conduct at Antietam; slightly Wounded in Action commanding a brigade at Chancellorsville on May 4, 1863; commanded brigade at Gettysburg; Wounded in Action (right arm) in artillery firing prior to Pickett's Charge and in thigh during Charge; left behind and captured near the stone wall; held at Ft. McHenry, Maryland and Johnson's Island, Ohio; Paroled March 29, 1864; exchanged April 5, 1864 at City Point; commanded Brigadier General S. Barton's brigade March 10-24, 1864; promoted to Brigadier General on May 24, 1864 and assumed command of his old brigade; on sick leave June-September 1864; assigned Sep. 14, 1864 to command post at Augusta, GA; also commanded District of Georgia in March of 1865; subsequently fled to Cuba. Post War Career: Returned to Alabama in 1868, and moved to Florida in 1876; to Richmond in 1881; practiced law, and manufactured cotton and tobacco. Died- January 21, 1891 in Richmond, VA; buried in Montgomery, Alabama. |
