Part one in a two-part series on the lives of Gen. St. John R. Liddell and General E.R.S. Canby

In the spring of 1865, Union Gen. E.R.S. Canby, leading the forces of the XVI and Xiii corps, pushed the Confederate forces protecting Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley deeper into their defensive positions in preparation for the coming battle.

As early as April 1, 1865, Spanish Fort was reduced to a point where it posed little threat to the advancing Union Army. As a result, Canby directed the largest concentration of his troops on Blakeley. It was here that Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell, with a much smaller force, intended to stand his ground in defense of Blakeley and of Mobile.

As a matter of fact, Liddell’s force of was severely outnumbered by the men at Canby’s disposal and could only hope to hold for a finite period. Subsequently, Spanish Fort fell on April 8, 1865, followed by the defeat of the Confederate forces at Blakeley on April 9, 1865.

Two well traveled and highly respected military commanders were integral in the outcome of the last major battle of the American Civil War. Their paths brought them together here in Baldwin County at that crucial time, but what do we know about their past? Who were they? And what events helped mold them and usher them along their colliding paths along the Alabama Gulf Coast?

Liddell was born St. John Richardson Liddell in 1815 in Mississippi. His father was a wealthy plantation owner, as was St. John upon reaching maturity.

As a youth, he was a schoolmate of future Confederate President Jefferson Davis. This relationship later favored Liddell when he sought to secure a military appointment that kept him near his plantation in Louisiana.

When he turned 19, Liddell attended the United States Military Academy, after which he returned to Louisiana to establish his own plantation. During this time he found himself involved in a dispute with a fellow land owner in the region, Charles Jones. It was this strained relationship that would eventually end the life of Liddell.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Liddell enlisted and received an officer’s commission in the Confederate Army. His military career saw him serve under Gens. William J. Hardee and Albert Sidney Johnston until he was awarded the command of a brigade in the Army of Tennessee.

His divisional commander at the time was Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne. Additionally, he served under Gen. Braxton Bragg before being transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Theater after making a personal request of Jefferson Davis, his old classmate from childhood.

The transfer allowed Liddell to be closer to home, which in turn provided the ability to monitor the activities of his plantation. In 1864, as the Commander of the District of Northeastern Louisiana, he was involved in the Red River campaign.

In his last command, Liddell was assigned the defense of Mobile and was tasked with creating defensive positions at Spanish Fort and Blakeley.

Liddell was outmanned and outgunned by Canby, and on April 9 lost the battle at Blakeley. Liddell was captured at the conclusion of the fighting, but was later released to return to his beloved plantation in Louisiana.

Home life for Liddell remained difficult and strained due to his previous relationship with another planter from the area.

Next week, we will examine the last days of Liddell’s life and look into the life of Union Gen. E.R.S. Canby.