Biography of General Abner Monroe Perrin

A native of the "Gamecock" state, Abner Perrin declared that he planned to come out of the fighting at Spotsylvania a live major general or a dead brigadier.

Born in the Edgefield District on February 2, 1827, Perrin took part in the Mexican War as a lieutenant. He afterwards began to study the law and was soon thereafter admitted to the bar in 1854 in Columbia. He entered the Confederate service as a captain in the 14th South Carolina that was attached to Gregg's brigade of the "Light Division." He fought in all the major battles, reaching the rank of colonel February 20, 1863.

After McGowan's wounding at Chancellorsville, Perrin led the brigade at Chancellorsville and then at Gettysburg. On September 10, 1863 he received his general's wreath. When McGowan returned, Perrin was given the command of Wilcox's old Alabama brigade.

Perrin showed conspicuous bravery at the Wilderness. Apparently, he was somewhat ambitious and determined to make the grade of major general.

At the battle of Spotsylvania, Perrin declared "I shall come out of this fight a live major general or a dead brigadier." When the "Mule Shoe" was over-run and most of Edward Johnson's division captured on May 12, 1864, units from the Third Corps were called in to help -- including Perrin's brigade. Leading his troops in a spirited counterattack through a very heavy fire, with his sword in hand, Perrin fell from his horse pierced by seven bullets.

General Perrin was buried in the City Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Virginia.