Samuel Gibbs French

Samuel Gibbs French was an American military officer whose career spanned significant conflicts in the 19th century. Born in New Jersey, he graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1843 and initially served as a captain in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War, where he was wounded at the Battle of Buena Vista. After resigning his commission in 1856 to manage a plantation in Mississippi, he aligned himself with the Confederacy at the onset of the Civil War. French rose through the ranks, ultimately achieving the rank of major general and commanding various divisions in the Eastern and Western Theaters of the war. His military career was marked by participation in thirty-five engagements, including the Siege of Vicksburg and the Atlanta campaign. After the war, French chronicled his experiences in his autobiography, "Two Wars: an Autobiography of Gen. Samuel G. French," published in 1901. This work provides valuable insights into the life of a soldier who navigated the complexities of serving both the Union and the Confederacy, reflecting the tumultuous nature of American military history during his lifetime. French's legacy lies in his dual service and the perspectives he offered on the conflicts that shaped the nation.