James Dearing of Campbell County, Virginia, was a standout cadet at West Point, ranking first in his class when he resigned in 1861 following Virginia’s secession from the Union.
Originally commissioned as a lieutenant in the artillery, Dearing distinguished himself on numerous occasions and rose quickly through the ranks. By April 1865, he had reached the rank of brigadier general and commanded the famed Laurel Brigade.
On the morning of April 6, a federal force was in the process of setting fire to the High Bridge over the Appomattox River near Farmville. The destruction of the bridge would have eliminated General Lee’s means of escaping the pursuing federal army.
Alerted to the threat, three brigades of Confederate cavalry, including the Laurel Brigade, made an all-night ride to save the bridge. They arrived just as the fires were being set.
As soon as they arrived, the Confederates charged into the federal forces and engaged them in hand-to-hand combat. During the fight, General Dearing spotted the federal commander, General Theodore Reed.
Dearing spurred his horse and galloped toward Reed with his pistol drawn. Reed met Dearing’s challenge, and the two men fired at each other.
Both men fell. Reed was dead, and Dearing was mortally wounded.
The High Bridge was saved that morning, and the entire federal force was captured. But it was all for naught, as General Lee surrendered his army three days later.
James Dearing died in Lynchburg on April 25, 1865, becoming the last general officer to be killed in the war. He was 24 years old.