Ethelbert Barksdale
Historical Figure
Nationality:
United States (Confederate States , 1861-1865)
Year of Birth:
1824
Year of Death:
1893
Cause of Death:
Natural causes
Religion:
Protestantism
Occupation:
Journalist, politician
Parents:
William Barksdale Sr.;
Spouse:
Alice-Jane Harris
Children:
Three
Relatives:
William Barksdale (brother)
Political Party:
Democratic Party
Political Office(s):
Confederate States Representative from Mississippi (1861-1865);
Fictional Appearances:
Ethelbert Barksdale (January 4, 1824 – February 17, 1893) was a United States Representative from Mississippi (1883-1887), as well as a member of the Confederate States House of Representatives during the American Civil War . His brother William was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg .
Near the war's end, Rep. Barksdale introduced legislation that would permit "Negroes" to fight in the Confederate States Army against the Union. This bill passed the Confederate House, but was barely defeated in the Senate. A few weeks later, a version of this "last resort" effort was eventually approved, though never implemented.
Ethelbert Barksdale became a staunch member of President Robert E. Lee's Confederate Party . He was the lone member of his party hailing from Mississippi to be re-elected in the wake of Nathan Bedford Forrest's moderately successful opposition to the end of slavery .
In one of Lee's darkest moments, he took comfort from Barksdale's words of support.
