VMI's Civil War Generals
Birkett D. Fry, Class of 1843

Biographical Information
- Early Life
  Birkett Davenport Fry, born June 24, 1822 in Kanawha County, [now] West Virginia; son of Thornton Fry and Eliza Thompson.
- VMI record
  Entered VMI on July 20, 1840 as a member of the Class of 1843; resigned on June 2, 1841.
- Pre-Civil War
  Entered West Point in 1842, but left before graduating because of an academic deficiency (math); practiced law; lst Lieut., United States Army, during Mexican War; practiced law in California, 1849-1855; took part in Walker's expedition to Nicaragua; returned to California where he remained until 1859, when he moved to Tallassee, Alabama; managed cotton mill owned by his wife's family.
- Marriage
  Martha Micou Baker in 1853, the daughter of William and Ann Micou of Augusta, GA.
- Civil War
  At outbreak of Civil War commissioned Colonel, 13th Alabama Infantry Regiment; wounded at Seven Pines, Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg; appointed Brigadier General in May 1864 and commanded Walker's and Archer's brigades at Cold Harbor; commanded the military district in Augusta, GA until end of war.
- Post-war
  Returned to cotton manufacturing business in Alabama and Richmond, Virginia; died January 21, 1891, Richmond, VA.