Robert Harris Archer

He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, US Army 4 March 1847 for Mexican War service, and assigned to the Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen 9 April. He was honorably mustered out 31 August 1848. He was then a lumberman in Hartford County, MD. He enlisted as Private, Company K, 1st Virginia Cavalry in April 1861. He was appointed Captain, Provisional Army of the Confederate States (PACS) 23 September 1861, and was on recruiting duty. He was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, 55th Virginia Infantry in October 1861 (to replace his brother James) and served as such into May 1862, but was not reelected on 1 June. He was volunteer aide-de-camp to General Pickett at Seven Pines, VA in June. He was appointed Captain and Assistant Adjutant General to his brother on 13 June 1862.

From General Archer's Report:

[at Sharpsburg] Captain R. H. Archer, my assistant adjutant-general, though not yet recovered from a severe illness; Lieutenant Thomas, aide, and Lieutenant [George] Lemmon, ordnance officer, rendered brave and efficient assistance, and charged with the troops upon the enemy ... [at Shepherdstown] Captain Archer and Lieutenants Thomas and Lemmon, of my staff, rendered valuable and efficient assistance.

He was captured on the Gettysburg Campaign at Greencastle, PA on 5 July 1863, and held at Johnson's Island, OH until exchanged in January 1865. He was again captured, in King George County, VA and was a prisoner at the Old Capitol Prison, Washington DC until paroled 5 May 1865 at Alexandria, VA.

Service from Krick1 and Heitman.2 His gravesite is on Findagrave.

05/20/1820; Churchville, MD

03/10/1878; Richmond, VA