Thurston J. G. (?? - ??)
Trapier, Brig. Gen. James H. (1815 - 2 JAN 1866
Brigadier-General James H. Trapier, a native of South Carolina, was graduated in the United States military academy, third in the class of 1838, of which General Beauregard was second and William J. Hardee, Edward Johnson and Carter L. Stevenson were other famous members. As at lieutenant of engineers in the United States service he assisted in the construction of defenses at Charleston harbor and Fort Pulaski, and was promoted first lieutenant in 1839.
Subsequently he was constructing engineer of repairs at Forts .Macon and Caswell, and Forts Ontario, Niagara and Porter, New York; served in the war with Mexico in 1847, and was assistant
engineer connected with the fortification of New York harbor until his resignation in 1848.
Returning to South Carolina he was engaged as a planter at Georgetown until the organization of
the Confederacy, serving also as chief of ordnance of the State in 1851-52, and as aide-de-
camp, with the rank of colonel, on the staff of Governor Means. With the rank of captain of
engineers he rendered valuable service in the construction of the Confederate batteries for the
attack on Fort Sumter, and was engineer-in-chief on Morris island. Soon afterward he was
promoted major of engineers, and in October was promoted brigadier-general and assigned to
command of the department of Eastern and Middle Florida, with especial care of Cumberland
sound. Asking to be relieved in March, 1862, he was ordered to report to General Johnston in
Alabama. He commanded the First division of General Polk's corps at Corinth and in the battle
of Farmington, May 9, 1862, and in November following was assigned to command of the Fourth
district of South Carolina, with headquarters at Georgetown. In the spring of 1863 he was in
command on Sullivan's island during the attack by the Federal fleet, April 7th, and not long
afterward resumed his duties at Georgetown. Surviving the war he died at Mansfield, S.C., January 2, 1866, at the age of fifty-one years.
REF: Confederate Military History Vol. 5, pg. 421
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