He is well known for being a Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War and for his death during the Siege of Petersburg.

[2] He was born into a wealthy New York City family[3] with interests in exporting cotton from Mobile, Alabama.

[4] After his elementary education, Gracie traveled to Germany for five years of further studying at the University of Heidelberg.

[5] After arriving back in the United States Archibald started his education at West Point, at the time of Robert E. Lee's superintendency.

Days later, Green went into Lee's office to admit his role and demand an equal punishment.

From March to April 1862, he commanded a small company of sharpshooters, who were some of the first to reinforce General Magruder during the Battle of Yorktown.

[citation needed] Gracie and his unit then joined General James Longstreet's army at the Battle of Bean's Station.

During this battle, Gracie was shot in the arm, causing temporary paralysis of his little and ring fingers.

[11] On December 2, however, Archibald Gracie was looking out at the Union lines through his telescope when an artillery shell exploded in front of him, killing him instantly.