Anderson was born in Georgia. He joined the C.S. Navy with E. Anderson Maffiit, his cousin, in 1861 and was appointed a midshipman. After serving at the Savannah Station he joined the CSS Alabama. He commanded one of the 32-pounders in Lieut. Wilson’s division. He later became the navigator for the blockade runner, CSS Owl, commanded by his uncle, Captain John N. Maffitt. At war’s end he held the rank of lieutenant. He died in 1923 at Savannah, GA.