James Deshler James Deshler ( February 18 , 1833 – September 20 , 1863 ) was a career United States Army officer and a graduate of West Point . He was a Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War and died on the field of battle . Early life and career . James Deshler was born in February 18 , 1833 in Tuscumbia , Alabama to David Deshler 1798 - 1872 ) and Eleanor Taylor ( 1808 - 1854 ) . Deshler went to West Point and graduated in 1854 . He graduated ranking above James Ewell Brown Stuart , William Dorsey Pender and Stephen Dill Lee . After graduating , James was commissioned as a second lieutenant United States Army . His first military experience was when he was assigned to California after graduation . He was then transferred and promoted to first lieutenant United States Army in 1858 and joined a regiment to fight in the Utah War expedition . After the expedition Deshler was assigned to Fort Wise , where he remained until 1861 . In 1861 Deshler resigned his post and joined the Confederate States Army . Civil War service . After his resignation from the army , Deshler enlisted as a captain in the artillery . In September 1861 he was an assistant to Brig . Gen . Henry R . Jackson during the Battle of Cheat Mountain . Deshler was wounded at the Battle of Allegheny Mountain when he was shot through the thighs . After his recovery from his wounds he was promoted to colonel and assigned to the staff of Maj . Gen . Theophilus H . Holmes . In 1862 he was given his first command , which consisted of four regiments of Texas infantry and cavalry , the Tenth Texas Infantry regiment , Fifteenth , Seventeenth , and Eighteenth Texas Dismounted Cavalry regiments . On January 11 , 1863 , Deshler was captured when the Confederates surrendered at the Battle of Fort Hindman . After being exchanged he was promoted to brigadier general on July 28 , 1863 . Death and burial . On the second day of the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20 , 1863 , while inspecting his brigade before an attack , Deshler was killed instantly by a Union artillery shell when it exploded in front of him , tearing his heart from his body . Command of his brigade was taken over by the future Senator Roger Mills , and the Confederacy won the battle . After the fighting ended , a family friend buried Deshler ' s body on the battlefield . Later the friend brought Deshler ' s father to the gravesite . They disinterred Deshler and subsequently reburied him in Oakwood Cemetery in his hometown of Tuscumbia , Alabama . Mills remarked after Deshler ' s death : I may pause here and pay a passing tribute to the memory of our fallen chief . He was brave , generous and kind , even to a fault . Ever watchful and careful for the safety of any member of his command , he was ever ready to peril his own . . . He poured out his own blood upon the spot watered by the best blood of the brigade . Amongst the host of brave hearts that were offered the altar of sacrifice for their country on that beautiful Sabath , there perished not one , noble , braver , or better than his . He lived beloved , and fell lamented and mourned by every officer and man of his command . Memorials . Deshler ' s father founded the Deshler Female Institute in memory of his son . To further honor General Deshler , Tuscumbia ' s Deshler High School was named for him .