Cadmus wilcox biography of albert

“Energetic, brave, and conscientious” were the words Confederate General Harry Heth used to describe the military career of his friend and fellow general Cadmus Wilcox.

Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox was born on May 20, 1824, in Wayne County, North Carolina.

His mother was from North Carolina, but his father was from Connecticut. His family soon relocated to Tipton County, Tennessee, near Memphis, when Wilcox was only two years old. After studying at Cumberland College, he attended West Point, graduating near the bottom of the vaunted class of 1846, which included future notable Civil War generals George B.

McClellan and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson.

Wilcox was then sent to serve in the Mexican-American War. He served under both Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott and earned particular distinction for his part in the Battles of Chapultepec and Mexico City.

For his gallant actions, he was promoted to brevet first lieutenant. After Mexico, Wilcox served in various