[
422]
Brigadier-General John Bordenave Villepigue was born at
Camden, S. C., July 2, 1830, of French descent.
He was graduated at the United States military academy in 1854, with a brevet lieutenancy in the dragoons; a year later was promoted to second lieutenant, and in 1857 to first lieutenant.
His military service of about seven years in the old army was rendered in the Second dragoons, mainly on the frontier in
Kansas and
Nebraska, participating in the
Sioux expedition of 1855 and the march to Fort Lookout, Dakota, in 1856.
He took part in the
Utah campaign of 1857-58, and then after a period spent at the Carlisle cavalry school, was on duty in
Utah until he resigned, March 31, 1861, to enter the service of the Southern Confederacy.
He received the commission of captain of artillery from the government at
Montgomery, and soon afterward was promoted colonel in the provisional army, and assigned to the Thirty-sixth Georgia regiment.
In command of
Georgia and
Mississippi soldiers he first attracted attention by his heroic defense of
Fort McRee, Pensacola harbor, during the bombardment of November 22, 1861.
General Bragg reported at that time that for the number and caliber of guns brought into action it would rank with the heaviest bombardment of the world.
The buildings of the fort were several times on fire, and
Villepigue was seriously wounded, but his coolness inspired his volunteers to fight with the tenacity of veterans.
Said
Bragg: ‘An educated soldier, possessing in an eminent degree the love and confidence of his officers and men, he had been specially selected for this important and perilous post.
The result fully vindicates the fortunate choice, and presents for our admiration, blended in perfect harmony, the modest but heroic soldier with the humble but confiding
Christian.’
Villepigue was appointed chief of engineers and artillery on the staff of
General Bragg, was for a time in command at
Pensacola, then was at
Mobile, and joining
Bragg was promoted brigadier-general early in 1862.
He
