Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Brigadier General Birkett Davenport Fry, CSA / Colonel B.D. Fry at Battle of Gettysburg
Brigadier General Birkett Davenport Fry, CSA
Born Virginia; educated VMI and West Point; fought in Mexico; practiced law in California; married Alabamian whose family owned the Tallassee cotton mill; served as general in Walker’s ill-fated filibustering in Nicaragua; then returned to manage Tallassee mill. Colonel of the 13th Alabama Infantry in 1861; wounded in four different battles including Gettysburg where he commanded a brigade; promoted to Brigadier General May 1864. Following the War, he lived in Cuba, Florida, Alabama, and Virginia. President of Richmond cotton mill until his death there in 1891. Body returned to Montgomery to be buried beside his wife. (over)
(side 2)
Colonel B.D. Fry at Battle of Gettysburg
July 1, 1863; Fry placed in command of Archer’s Brigade of Alabama and Tennessee troops following Archer’s capture. His brigade was on the right of Pettigrew’s Division and to the left of Pickett’s, the brigade of direction for the assault across the wheat field on July 3. Bravely leading his brigade up Cemetery Ridge under galling artillery and small~arms fire, he was wounded in the shoulder and thigh before being captured by the Federals. His troops reached the stone wall where his regimental color bearer stabbed an enemy soldier with his flag staff. Paroled in ’64 and promoted, he served until War’s end. (over)
Erected 1994 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1864.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 23.008′ N, 86° 17.784′ W. Marker was in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Upper Wetumpka Road and North Ripley Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is in front of both graves. Plot Lot 6, Square 32, Survey 3 Oakwood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Civil War Medicine / Montgomery's Confederate Hospitals (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Oakwood Cemetery (about 400 feet away); William C. Oates (about 800 feet away); Governor William Calvin Oates / Colonel W. C. Oates, CSA at Gettysburg (about 800 feet away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Burial Site of Royal Air Force Trainee Pilots (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alabama War Veterans Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Royal Air Force Burial Ground (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.
Also see . . .
1. Birkett D. Fry. Wikipedia (Submitted on October 14, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
2. Walker’s filibuster - Wikipedia Entry. “William Walker (1824 – 1860) was an American physician, lawyer, journalist and mercenary who organized several private military expeditions into Latin America, with the intention of establishing English-speaking slave colonies under his personal control, an enterprise then known as ‘filibustering.’ Walker usurped the presidency of the Republic of Nicaragua in 1856 and ruled until 1857, when he was defeated by a coalition of Central American armies.” (Submitted on March 10, 2019.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,404 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on July 24, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 14, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.