Claudius W. Sears

Claudius Wistar Sears (November 8, 1817 – February 15, 1891) was a United States Army officer, an educator, and a Confederate general during the American Civil War.

During the war, Sears was part of the Confederate garrison that was captured following the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863, and would be wounded twice in combat. After the conflict he returned to teaching.

Early life and career Claudius Sears was born in the city of Peru located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He attended the United States Military Academy in West Point in July 1837, and graduated four years later, standing 31st out of 52 cadets. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 8th U.S. Infantry on July 1, 1841. Sears and the 8th Infantry fought in Florida during the Seminole Wars until the fall of 1842. Sears then was a professor at Louisiana University from 1859 into 1860, teaching both math as well as physics. He returned to St. Thomas's Hall in 1860 to serve as its president until 1861.

In the spring and summer of 1863, Sears and his command were part of the Army of Mississippi, led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton and defending the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg guarding the Mississippi River. Following the six-week-long siege of the garrison and its surrender on July 4, Sears was captured by Union forces, and was exchanged that fall. and ordered to join the Army of Tennessee. On April 1 his brigade was added to Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French's Division, and Sears arrived with his command that May at Resaca, Georgia. He fought during the Atlanta campaign in the summer of 1864, and was wounded during the Battle of Adairsville near Cassville, Georgia, on May 19.