William B. Franklin

Attended West Point from 1839-1843 and graduated first in his class.

He was a brigadier general of some volunteers and fought in the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861.

He was then advanced to division commander in the Army of the Potomac and served in the Peninsular Campaign in 1862.

Fought in the American Civil War at the Battle of White Oak Swamp/Glendale.

There were an estimated 7,000 casualties during this battle.

General Franklin led his men to stop Jackson's division at the White Oak Bridge crossing, resulting in an artillery duel. While this was happening the main battles were taken place two miles further at Glendale.

During the battle of Antietam, his troops were in reserve. When Franklin suggested to Maj. Gen. Edwin Sumner to attack at a weak point in the Confederate line, his idea was denied.

He was blamed for not following the orders given to him at the Battle of Fredericksburg and due to this he was reassigned to another corps command in Louisiana. He lost the Battle of Sabine Pass in Texas in 1863, which added to another bad mark for his record.

He took part in the Red River Campaign in Louisiana and was wounded in the battle of the Sabine Crossroads in 1864. As he was heading back from the battle his train was captured by confederates and he was taken prisoner. He was able to escape the Confederates. He later resigned from the army in 1866.

Citations: britannica battlefields