Lafayette McLaws

Biography

Lafayette McLaws graduated from the United States Military Academy and served in the Mexican War before becoming a Confederate general. He led troops through the tumult of the Civil War, including engagements at Antietam and Gettysburg, and earned respect for his thoughtful leadership even as the conflict tore the nation apart.

In the postwar years, he turned his attention to the business of rebuilding, applying his engineering mind to civilian projects while mentoring younger officers and remaining a visible presence in his Georgia community. He passed away in 1897 and was laid to rest in Laurel Grove North Cemetery, remembered for his long military career and his efforts to reconcile the divided country.