Magruder, John Bankhead (1810-1871)

US soldier. Resigning his commission to become a colonel with the Confederate army, he led his forces to victory at Big Bethel, Virginia, in June 1861; regarded as the first land battle of the Civil War. Failing to prove aggressive enough in the Seven Days Battles (1862), and quarrelling with Robert E Lee, he was transferred to Texas, where he served without distinction until the war's end. He then went to Mexico and became a general under Emperor Maximilian. In 1867 he returned to the USA where he lectured on his military experiences. Magruder was born in Winchester, Virginia. An 1830 West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran, he gained the nickname ‘Prince John’ from his courtly manner and style of entertainment.