Individual Details

Capt. Theodore Luckett Lanier was in the 2nd. MO. Infantry regiment CSA. He was enlisted as a Private and shortly thereafter promoted to the officer ranks and was muster out as a Captain. He was born 1 Mar 1841, in Lincoln County, Missouri. His parents were Edward Robertson Lanier (b. 1810 in Virginia) and Jane M. Luckett (b. Apr. 1814 in Virginia), and his genealogy directly traces back to the family of President George Washington in the marriage of Sampson Lanier (b. 1682 Charles City County, Virginia) and Elizabeth Washington (b. 1689 Surry County, Virginia). The 1840, 1850, 1860 Census data indicates that Theodore's father and uncle (John Hicks Lanier) had substantial farming interest in District #49 and Clark Township, Lincoln County, Missouri. They are also listed as slave owners. At the time his Civil War picture was taken, T. L. Lanier is just 21 years of age. He is seated in bust profile, he is wearing an 'early war' short frock coat, and he has just been promoted to the Officer grade of 1st Lieutenant. Uniquely, this promotion advanced him from the mere rank of Private, bypassing all other enlisted grades. Even more notable, he has reached this pinnacle of his career in just 5 months of active duty service. Under the command of Colonel John Q. Burbridge, T. L. Lanier enlisted on 4 December 1861, and his appointment to 1st Lieutenant was 8 May 1862. On 28 April 1863 he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Surviving at least 12 significant campaigns of the Civil War, Capt. Lanier was twice severely wounded in the Battles for Corinth and Franklin. Other campaigns in which he engaged the enemy include the Battles of Lexington, Elkhorn, Farmington, Iuka, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Bakers Creek, Big Black Bridge, Vicksburg and Alatoona. Capt. T. L. Lanier was born Theodore Luckett Lanier, 1 Mar 1841, in Lincoln County, Missouri. The 1860 Census reveals he is 19 years old at this time, and occupationally a 'Student of Law.' His parents were Edward Robertson Lanier (b. 1810 in Virginia) and Jane M. Luckett (b. Apr. 1814 in Virginia), and his (surname) genealogy traces back five (5) generations, to the family of President George Washington in the marriage of his Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Sampson Lanier (b. Charles City County, Virginia) and Elizabeth Washington (b. Surry County, Virginia). At war's end, Capt. Lanier continued his career aspirations and became an Esquire of Law. He married Laura F. Johnson (b. 1846 in Tennessee) on 19 Oct 1865 in Williamson County, Tennessee. Four children were born of this marriage; Dewitt, Sammie, Sadie, and Gracy, all of Tennessee. He was a prominent Attorney in Waverly, Tennessee (then Humphreys County), residing on affluent Main Street from 1865 till his death in 1903. Capt. T. L. Lanier's genealogy, history, war record, writings (The Confederate Veteran - a defense of General Pemberton), and epitaph, are all testament to a man's (and soldier's) life of impeccable honor and integrity. As such, it is only fitting to conclude with one of his epitaphs (The Confederate Veteran, Jan - Dec. 1903): "T. L. Lanier At Waverly, Tenn., on April 4, many friends of Captain T.L. Lanier assembled to pay a last tribute to one who in life was patriot, soldier, friend. The death of this brave man, strong in spirit always, in spite of physical weakness, was a source of much sorrow to the members of Camp Alonzo Napier, 1349, U.C.V., of which he was the faithful commander. Capt. Lanier was born in Lincoln County, Mo., March 1, 1841, and at the beginning of the war enlisted as a private in Company G, Second Regiment, Missouri Infantry Volunteers under Price. He was afterwards promoted to first lieutenant of his company, and a little previous to the siege of Vicksburg was promoted to captain, and after the fall of Vicksburg was transferred with his company to the Army of Tennessee. He was wounded at the battle of Corinth, and at the battle of Franklin, while leading his company, fell, his body pierced by seven bullets of the enemy, and was bourn from the field by two comrades, who were the only ones of his company who were not killed or wounded in that battle. His devotion to the interest of the Veteran will not be forgotten. "

Birth

March 1, 1841

Lincoln County, Missouri

Father	Edward Robertson Lainer (1810 - )
Mother	Jane Luckett (1814 - )
Sibling	Mary Anne Lainer (1839 - )