Joseph B. Palmer

Joseph Benjamin Palmer
Joseph Benjamin Palmer
Born	(1825-11-01)November 1, 1825 Rutherford County, Tennessee
Died	November 4, 1890(1890-11-04) (aged 65) Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Place of burial	Evergreen Cemetery, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Service/branch	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861–65
Rank	Brigadier General
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Joseph Benjamin Palmer (November 1, 1825 – November 4, 1890) was an American lawyer, legislator, and soldier. He served as a Confederate general in the American Civil War, during which he was wounded four times. After the conflict he resumed his law practice in Tennessee.

Joseph B. Palmer was born in 1825 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He was orphaned when he was an infant and was subsequently raised by his grandparents. Palmer received his education at the Union University, then located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was admitted to the state bar association in 1848 and began practicing as a lawyer. In 1849 Palmer was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly, and in 1851 he was re-elected. In 1855 he was then elected as mayor of Murfreesboro, serving until 1859.

At the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861, Palmer chose to follow his home state and the Confederate cause. He organized a company of soldiers and in May was elected a captain in the 18th Tennessee Infantry, into which this company was added. That June he was elected colonel, assuming command of the regiment.

Palmer fought primarily in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. He was part of the garrison surrendered at Fort Donelson on February 15, 1862, and was exchanged on August 15. That October Palmer was given brigade command in the Army of Mississippi. He fought in the Battle of Stones River and was wounded in his right shoulder and his right leg on January 2, 1863. Palmer fought during the Battle of Chickamauga that fall, and was wounded on September 19 when he again hit in his right shoulder.