Biography of General William MacRae

Small in stature, iron disciplinarian William MacRae was said to instill more fight into his troops than any other officer except John B. Gordon.

Born on September 09, 1834 in Wilmington, North Carolina, MacRae was educated as a civil engineer and in 1861 was engaged in that occupation in Monroe, North Carolina. MacRae enlisted as a private in the Monroe Light Infantry and was elected captain when the company became part of the 15th North Carolina. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1862.

The 15th North Carolina served in Virginia from the Seven Days through the battle of Fredericksburg, seeing action at Second Manassas and Sharpsburg as well. It then became part of a force in North Carolina for a time under General John R. Cooke.

The unit rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia in 1864, and MacRae distinguished himself during the Overland Campaign. When General Kirkland was wounded at Cold Harbor, MacRae was appointed to general to rank from June 22. He served with the Army of Northern Virginia for the rest of the War, being paroled at Appomattox.

MacRae returned to his home after the War, penniless. Through hard work, he became superintendent of a number of Southern railroads. However, his intense application to his work ruined his health.

As a result of the strain and ill health, MacRae died on February 11, 1882 in Augusta, Georgia at the young age of 47. His body was returned to Wilmington and he is buried in Oakdale Cemetery there.