The Biographical Dictionary of America/Armistead, Lewis Addison

ARMISTEAD, Lewis Addison, soldier, was born at Newbern, N. C., Feb. 18, 1817, son of Walker Keith Armistead, a soldier in the war of 1812, holding the rank of lieutenant-colonel and promoted to brevet brigadier-general in 1832. The son studied for two years at West Point, but was not graduated. He was appointed second lieutenant in the 6th infantry on July 10, 1839, and promoted to first lieutenant in March, 1844. He served under General Scott during the war with Mexico, distinguishing himself and receiving brevets for his conduct at Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec, and was promoted to the rank of captain in March, 1855. He was later engaged against the Indians in the far west, and received his commission as major for gallantry, during the Indian campaign. He was at Los Angeles at the outbreak of the hostilities between the states, and after much hesitation decided to cast his lot with Virginia, the home of his ancestors, saying to Capt. Winfield Scott Hancock, then a major only by brevet: "Here is my major's uniform — you may some time have need of it." He at the same time left in his hands for safe keeping, and to be given to his family in case he should fall in battle, valuable private papers, which General Hancock returned to his sister, the wife of a Federal officer, at the close of the war. Armistead also gave Hancock a little prayer-book, which the general always kept. He returned to Virginia, and was given a brigadier-general's commission in the Confederate army, was severely wounded at Antietam, and fell while leading his brigade in the desperate charge of Pickett's division at Gettysburg, having almost reached the Federal lines. He was left on the field after the Confederates had been repulsed July 3, 1863, and died in the Federal hospital immediately after the battle.