Biography of General Victor Jean Baptiste Girardey

An outstanding performance at the Crater at Petersburg resulted in the promotion to general of Frenchman Jean Girardey.

Born June 26, 1837 in Lauw (Department of Haut-Rhin), Girardey emigrated with his family to the United States when he was five years old. The family settled in Augusta, Georgia. Unfortunately, Girardey's father died soon after as did his mother; he was an orphan at the age of sixteen. He spent some time in New Orleans, completing his education.

There he married a woman of French descent. Girardey enlisted as a 1st lieutenant and aide-de-camp in Louisiana. However, he soon joined General Ambrose Wright's staff during the Seven Days.

Girardey was nominated as a captain on Wright's staff from the state of Georgia.

He continued to serve on Wright's staff until May 21, 1864, being especially noted for his skill, bravery, and efficiency. He was transferred to Mahone's staff and served as his assistant adjutant general.

Girardey played a key role in the battle of the Crater while on Mahone's staff. He helped to organize and time Mahone's counterattack after the explosion of the mine. So outstanding was Girardey's performance that he was promoted to brigadier general with temporary rank from July 30, 1864. This was the only instance in the Confederate army of such a promotion. Unfortunately, Girardey's tenure as a general was extremely short.

On August 16, 1864, Girardey was commanding Wright's old brigade at Deep Bottom on the east end of the Richmond defenses. He was killed by a bullet that struck him in the head near Fussell's Mill on the Darbytown Road while resisting a Federal attack. His body, along with that of John Chambliss, fell into Federal hands. General Girardey was buried in the Magnolia Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia.

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This officer was a member of Wright's Brigade in Anderson's / Mahone's Division.

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This page is an officer biography that is part of a large index of officers who served in the Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. This officer index is contained on a website devoted to Confederate General A.P. Hill titled And Then A.P. Hill Came Up. The site is copyright 1997 - 2007 by Jennifer Goellnitz. Email Jenny at jgoellnitz [@] gmail.com.