John Dickson Brandon


 Lawyer

Born:December 18, 1837, Huntsville, AL
Buried:Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, AL
Son of:Byrd Brandon

Notes:

•  His father died June 3, 1838 before he was a year old.

•  Son of Byrd and Mary J. (Caldwell) Brandon

•  "His mother's paternal ancestors came from Scotland to Ireland, and from Ireland to Virginia, while her immediate family moved from Virginia to Kentucky in the latter part of the eighteenth century. She was a relative of John C. Calhoun, who was a descendant of the same family." - Alabama Biography

•  "Capt. Brandon accompanied his mother's family to St. Louis, when he was fifteen years old, and studied Latin and Greek under the Rev. Reed there. The following year, he entered Rochester Academy, Rochester, N. Y., and in the fall of 1856, became a student at Cumberland University, from which institution he was graduated, LL. B., 1859." - Alabama Biography

•  "After graduating, he returned to St. Louis and began the practice of law. His health soon failed him, and he moved to Huntsville, where he practiced his profession." - Alabama Biography

•  "He enlisted as a private in Co. I, Fourth Alabama infantry, C. S. Army, April 1861, and served in one of Bee's regiments until the end of the war. After the first battle of Manassas, he was promoted to second lieutenant, and in April 1862, was advanced to the rank of captain. He served on the staff of the Fourth Alabama with this rank, as regimental commissary; and as captain, was assigned to duty under Gen. Law, as assistant brigade commissary. At Richmond, Va., Capt. Brandon was entrusted with a letter from President Davis to Gen. Lee, which he delivered in person. In the latter part of 1863, he was assigned to duty at Camden, was there until the close of hostilities, and surrendered finally at Mobile." - Alabama Biography

•  "After the war, he practiced law in Wilcox county for three years, then returned to Huntsville." - Alabama Biography

•  He was a Mason; a member of the Knights of Pythias; and of the Knights of Honor. - Alabama Biography

•  Married: November, Nov. 1863, Rosalie (Caldwell) Christian, daughter of Dr. John D. Caldwell. She died October 19, 1869. - Alabama Biography

•  "At Richmond, Va., Captain Brandon was entrusted with a letter from President Davis to General Lee. As he delivered the letter in person, he had his first opportunity of meeting the most distinguished hero of the war face to face. The General inquired of him about the people of Richmond, and of what they had to say regarding the campaign; and upon being told that the talk was, that the Federal Government was preparing to confront the Army of Virginia with General Grant, 'and, the Captain added, 'in which case General you will crush him as you have his predecessors' General Lee replied 'It must be; it shall be; it is our only hope!'; But the Grand Army of Virginia, under even the incomparable Lee, could not contend against fate." - Alabama Biography


Related Links:

•  Alabama Biography - History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 3, by Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen, © 1921, p. 206.


The Following Pages Link to this Page:
•  Alabama Biography
•  Byrd Brandon