Second Lieutenant JAMES EDWIN SLAUGHTER, of Culpeper County, Virginia, was born near the centre of the late battlefield of Cedar Run, and at the foot of Slaughter’s (Cedar) Mountain. He was a son of Major Daniel F. Slaughter (and grandson of Captain Philip Slaughter, of the Revolution), and his wife, Letitia Madison, daughter of General William Madison, a brother of the President.
He was admitted as a Pay Cadet to the Virginia Military Institute, August 6, 1845, in his 18th year. When the Mexican War broke out, he resigned his cadetship. and applied for a commission in the Army. He was appointed (March 5, 1847) second lieutenant, Infantry, and, on April 9, 1847, was transferred to the Voltigeurs.
He served in General Scott’s command, and was in the battles which took place in and near the City of Mexico, which resulted in the capture of that City. He continued in the Army (being promoted first lieutenant, First Artillery, August 3, 1852) till the Civil War broke out. Resigning then, and returning to the South, he was appointed colonel, and rendered important service in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida.
He took an active part in the defense of Mobile against the attack of Admiral Farragut. After this, he was promoted brigadier-general, and as such served in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Later, he was put in command of the troops on the Rio Grande River, in Texas. While thus serving, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia took place. General Slaughter fired the last shots of the Confederacy; then crossed into Mexico; and never surrendered.
He lived in Mexico for several years, and then returned to his native country, and made his home in Mobile, Alabama. He adopted the profession of civil engineering, and did harbor and other work for the United States Government. He was also postmaster at Mobile for some years. He later removed to New Orleans, where he lived until his death, January 1, 1901. He never married.
(Source: The Military History of the Virginia Military Institute from 1839-1861, by: Jennings C. Wise, Publ: 1915. Transcribed by: Helen Coughlin)
