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He was born the son of Gen. Walker Keith Armistead
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He was a cadet at the US military academy and soon after graduating became a second lieutenant.
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He was promoted several times for bravey but these were only temporary. he spent the rest of his time before the civil war on the indian front as a captian.
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he was given the rank of major in the confedorate army. he soon became a colnel of the Fiftey-Seventh Virginia.
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Armistead was promoted to brigadier-general and asigned to Benjamin Huger's divison. on the first day he was distinguished for bravery while holding off a brigade of the enemy with only a handful of men.
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After advancing to Malvern hill about 5 miles out of Richmond, he was ordered by General Lee to "charge with a yell" at the enemy position. after doing this and being successful he lent his support to another attack.
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At the start of this campaign he was assigned provost marshal-general of the army or rear gaurd by Lee who saw it as one of the most important postings.
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After the action against Harpers Ferry Armistead was left at Shepherdstown to guard the movement of the rest of the army and stayed with Picketts division for the rest of his career.
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For most of the battle his Brigade was stationed on the right of the line outside of town but saw almost no action against the Union and suffered no casulties.
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Armistead reaches the battlefield and forms up in the second line in formation to attack cemetary hill.
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Leading his men in the charge to break the Union center and collaspe the Federal army Armistead is mortaly wounded and captured.
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On July fifth in a Union field hospital Brigadier General Lewis Addison Armistead succumbs to the wounds he sustained during the charge at Gettysburg.
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Lewis A Armistead is layed to rest at Old Saint Paul's Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland next to his uncle Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead who commanded Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore.
