Biography of General James Henry Lane

James Lane was not only a brigade commander in the Third Corps, but also was prominent in the field of education.

Born in Matthews Court House Virginia on July 28, 1833, Lane graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1854 and then from the University of Virginia three years later. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Lane was a professor of natural philosophy and instructor in military tactics as the North Carolina Military Institute. Thus, although born in Virginia, Lane became associated with the Old North State.

Elected major of the 1st North Carolina, Lane participated in the first battle of the war at Bethel on June 10, 1861. Lane was subsequently made colonel of the 28th North Carolina that served with A.P. Hill's Light Division.

Lane was first wounded at Gaines Mill on June 27, 1862 in the head. Three days later at Frayser's Farm, Lane was again wounded, this time in the cheek. He refused to leave the field. Lane was promoted to brigadier general to date from November 1, 1862.

Lane was again injured when his horse was shot from under him during the July 3 attack at Gettysburg. He remained in command; his command lost 50% of its numbers at Gettysburg. Lane was also wounded in the groin on June 2, 1864 at Turkey Ridge by a sharpshooter, resulting in having to miss part of the summer campaign. Although he returned in late August, the wound was not healed and he had to take a sick leave at the end of October. Lane returned at the end of February and was with his command until the Army of Northern Virginia's surrender at Appomattox.

After the War, Lane returned to civilian life to find the family plantation ruined. He spent seven years teaching school in private schools in both Virginia and North Carolina. He also served asa teacher with the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the Missouri School of Mines. For the last 26 years of his life, however, Lane worked as a professor of civil engineering at Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Lane wrote quite extensively on the War; his works are in the Southern Historical Society Papers. He died in Auburn, Alabama on September 21, 1907 and was buried there in Pine Hill Cemetery.