Veterans leave lasting legacies, but Micah John Jenkins' story is rather captivating.

Micah Jenkins
Jenkins was born on December 1, 1835. According to Professor Harwood's book, In the Arms of Angels Magnolia Cemetery, during his childhood, Jenkins lived on Edisto Island. His family consisted of six children and his parents, John and Elizabeth Jenkins, were wealthy cotton growers. When fifteen, Jenkins joined the Corps of Cadets at the South Carolina Military Academy and four years later graduated as valedictorian (Harwood, pg 98).

Alongside Asbury Coward, Jenkins opened their own military school called Kings Mountain Military School. Micah Jenkins since the age of twenty was known as a very religious man. He carried a Bible and a prayer book with him and was often caught reading it on the battlefield.

According to a website about Micah Jenkins, he became the leader of a volunteer militia …show more content…
The Palmetto Sharpshooters were completely made of men from other companies that reenlisted in the army. As Colonel, Jenkins led the brigades at Williamsburg and Seven Pines. While suffering with a knee wound, he was admired by his peers for his ability to command an army.

On July 22, 1862, Jenkins was promoted to Brigadier General to led his brigade at Second Manassas. On August 30, he was injured by a shot to the abdomen causing him to be absent from the military for two months. He rested at home with his wife, Miss Caroline Jamison, whom he married at a young age and later had five children. Two of his sons would also follow the military career path.

According to Jenkins' page on findagrave.com, James Longstreet and Micah Jenkins both were injured by friendly fire a couple days after the battle of Chickamauga. A bullet lodged into Jenkins' brain. A couple hours later, he passed, but while suffering Jenkins still encouraged his men to move forward. He died on May 6, 1864; however, Longstreet