Holmes, T. H. (Theophilus Hunter), 1804-1880

Theophilus Hunter Holmes was born November 13, 1804 to a prominent North Carolina family. In 1829 he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Prior to the Civil War, Holmes served in various campaigns against Native Americans and also saw action in the Mexican War, where he was brevetted for gallantry at the battle of Monterrey. When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Holmes was living in New York City and engaged as the superintendent of the recruiting station for the U.S. Army. He promptly resigned his commission and returned to his native North Carolina. On June 5, 1861, Holmes was appointed brigadier general in the Confederate States army. Shortly thereafter, Holmes was sent to Virginia and commanded a brigade at First Manassas. Following his promotion to major general in October 1861 Holmes served as commander of the Department of North Carolina. He later led a division during the Seven Days' battles. In July 1862 he was ordered to Little Rock to take command of the Trans-Mississippi Department. Following several reversals within the department, he was demoted to commander of the District of Arkansas. In January 1864 Holmes resigned from this position and returned to North Carolina where he was placed in command of reserve troops. Once the war was over, he retired to a farm in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He died June 21, 1880.

From the description of Theophilus Holmes papers, 1862-1864. (Central Arkansas Library System). WorldCat record id: 56574487

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