Biography of General David Addison Weisiger

Although they did not get along General David Weisiger eventually rose to command the brigade of Virginians that had belonged to General William Mahone and his career in many ways mirrored Mahone's.

Born on December 23, 1818 at "The Grove" in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Weisiger served in the Mexican War as the 2d lieutenant of company E, 1st Virginia Volunteers. Weisiger then entered business in Petersburg. He became a captain of Virginia milita and was officer of the day at the hanging of John Brown in 1859.

Two years later, at the start of the War, Weisiger was a major of the 4th Virginia Battalion in Norfolk. He entered Confederate service as the colonel of the 12th Virginia in May 1861.

In the spring of 1862, the 12th was attached to the brigade of General William Mahone. With this command, he fought at Seven Pines, in the Seven Days, and at Second Manassas. He was badly wounded at the latter battle. This resulted in him being disabled until the following July. He rejoined the Army in time to fight at Gettysburg.

Weisiger succeeded Mahone to command of the brigade following the battle of the Wilderness. He was commissioned brigadier general to date from July 30. This was in recognition of good service performed at the Crater. Weisiger was also wounded at the Crater, a bullet hitting him in the side. He was absent only a few days. He served as a Third Corps brigade commander thru the rest of the War, eventually being paroled at Appomattox. Following the War, he returned to Petersburg, becoming a bank cashier there. He also later engaged in business in Richmond.

Weisiger died in Richmond on February 23, 1899. He was buried in Petersburg at Blandford Cemetery.

This officer was a member of Mahone'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.