(1816-94), Confederate general. Although Early objected to Virginia's secession, he immediately joined the Confederate ranks at the outbreak of the
Civil War. He fought at the First Battle of
Bull Run,
Antietam,
Fredericksburg, and
Chancellorsville. He led a raid on Washington, D.C., in 1864 but could not take the city. Following their retreat to the Shenandoah Valley in March 1865, Early's troops suffered a defeat by Gen.
Philip H. Sheridan and Union cavalrymen. Noted for his crusty manner, Early spent much time after the war recording and defending his version of the Confederate experience.
