Lawrence Pike Graham – Brigadier General, United States Army

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Born at The Wigwam, country home of his father, in Amelia County, Virginia, January 8, 1815. The elder Graham, a physician, was a veteran of both of the wars with England and his three brothers, one of whom was George G. Mead’s brother-in-law, were graduates of West Point.

All four brothers adhered to the Union in spite of the Southern heritage. Having been educated by private tutors, he was commissioned directly into the Army in 1837 as a Second Lieutenant of Dragoons and during the Seminole War in Florida was promoted to First Lieutenant and then to Captain.

In the Mexican War, he won the brevet to Major for gallant conduct at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and was regularly promoted to Major in 1858. He was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers in August 1861. The following October he was placed in charge of a Brigade, comprises of two New York and two Pennsylvania Infantry Regiments of the Army of the Potomac. In march 1862, this command was assigned to Couch’s Division of Keyes’ IV Corps, with Graham directing it in the siege of Yorktown. However, he soon fell ill and took no further part in the Peninsular Campaign.

In June, he was assigned as Chief of Cavalry to the camp of instruction near Annapolis, Maryland, where he rendered good service. Afterward he acted as President of a General Courts Martial in St. Louis and on the Board for Examination of Invalid Officers at Annapolis. In the meantime he had been made Colonel of the 4th U.S. Cavalry in 1864 and was mustered out of the Volunteer Service with the rank of Brigadier General for gallant and meritorious service during the war.

Five years later, during which his regiment’s active duties were performed piecemal at various frontier posts, he was retired on December 15, 1870. He was then only 55 and in his remaining 35 years outlived his wife and both of his sons, one of whom was also a West Point graduate.

He became one of the most accomplished Shakesperean scholars in Washington, D. C. where he lived from 1877. He died there September 12, 1905 and was buried in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery.

His wife, Julia Hutchinson Graham (September 17, 1815-July 18, 1903), is buried with him and her stone reads:

“Sixty-two years of married life were of unalloyed beauty and nobility of her character. Love, sweetness, goodness in the person shined.”

GENERAL LAWRENCE PIKE GRAHAMWASHINGTON, September 13, 1905 – General Lawrence Pike Graham, United States Army, retired, died last night at Providence Hospital after a long illness.  General Graham was ninety-one years old.  He was a native of Virginia, and was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the old Second Dragoons in October 1837, serving with Robert E. Lee, then a First Lieutenant in that regiment.  He remained with the regiment until the outbreak of the Civil War, reaching the grade of Major.  He was appointed a Brigadier General of Volunteers and served in that capacity throughout the war.  General Graham served also in the war with the Seminole Indians and in the Mexican War.

GRAHAM, L P

  • BRIG/GEN USA RTD
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF DEATH: 09/12/1905
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT:   SITE LOT 433
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

lpgraham-photo
In addition, his two sons are also buried with them in Section 1. They are:
Charles McDougall Graham, whose stone reads:”Born in New Mexico, August 28, 1850. Died: August 1, 1865.
For his soul pleased God, therefore he hastened to bring him out
of the midst of iniquities.
Requcies Cal In Pace.”
GRAHAM, CHAS MC D SON OF GRAHAM, GEN

  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT:   SITE LOT 434
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • Son of LP Graham, Brig Gen

James Duncan Graham, First Lieutenant, United States Army, whose stone reads:2nd United States Cavalry
Born: Fort Jesup, Louisiana, May 10, 1848
Died: Washington, D.C. June 18, 1868
He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his
understanding or deceit beguile his soul.”

James Duncan Graham of Louisiana
Appointed at-large, Cadet, United States Military Academy, 1 July 1861
(60);
Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant, 13th United States Infantry,
23 June l865
Transferred to the 2nd United States Cavalry, 13 February 1867
Died 18 June 1868

GRAHAM, JAMES D

  • LIEUT 2ND U S CAVALRY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF DEATH: 06/18/1868
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT:   SITE 434
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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