Union Generals




The Union Army had a variety of generals in there service. Here are a few of the most famous of those generals and a short biography of each.
Name GRANT, Ulysses Simpson (Hiram Ulysses)
Born April 27 1822, Point Pleasant OH
Died July 23 1885, Mount McGregor NY
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1843, Mexican war, garrison duty, resigned 1854, firewood pedlar, store clerk.
War Service 1861 commanded a camp of instruction, June 1861 Col. of 21st Illinois, May 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Belmont, Fts Henry and Donelson, February 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Army of the Tennessee, Shiloh, Vicksburg campaign, July 1863 promoted Maj. Gen. in Regular Army, Chattanooga campaign, March 1864 Lt. Gen. and general-in-chief, Overland campaign.
Post War Career Army service, US president, businessman, writer.
Notes He was the general that Lincoln had been looking for
Named HANCOCK, Winfield Scott
Born February 14 1824, Montgomery Square PA
Died February 9 1886, Governor's Is. NY
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1844, frontier duty, Mexican war, Kansas war, Utah expedition, quartermaster service.
War Service September 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 1stBde/2nd Divn/IV Corps in Peninsula, Seven Days, commanded 1st Bde/2nd Divn/VI Corps at Antietam, November 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded 1st Divn/II Corps at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, commanded II Corps at Gettysburg (w), Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, August 1864 Brig. Gen. in Regular Army, commanded Dept of West Virginia.
Post War Career Army service, commanded Dept. of the East, US presidential candidate in 1880.
Notes One of the greatest eastern generals.
Name MCCLELLAN, George Brinton
Born December 3 1826, Philadelphia PA
Died October 29 1885, Orange NJ
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1846, duty in Engineers, Mexican war, constructed forts and harbors, instructor at West Point, observer in Crimean War, saddle designer, resigned US Army 1857, railroad executive.
War Service April 1861 Maj. Gen. of Ohio volunteers, commanded Dept of the Ohio, Rich Mountain, Corrick's Ford, May 1861 Maj. Gen. in Regular Army, commanded Army of the Potomac, appointed general-in-chief November 1861, Peninsula campaign, Seven Days, his army was given by Lincoln to Pope, returned after Second Bull Run, Antietam campaign, relieved of active duty, unsuccessful Democratic presidential candidate in 1864.
Post War Career Civil engineer, businessman, author, governor of New Jersey.
Notes Organised the Army of the Potomac brilliantly, but was reluctant to use it to fight
Name MEADE, George Gordon
Born December 31 1815, Cadiz, Spain
Died November 6 1872, Philadelphia PA
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1835, Seminole war, ordnance duty, resigned US Army 1836, railroad engineering work, surveyor, rejoined army 1842, survey duty, Mexican war, engineering duty.
War Service August 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, Washington defences, commanded 2nd Bde/3rd Divn/V Corps in Seven Days, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Glendale (w), commanded 1st Bde/Pennsylvania Reserves/III Corps at Second Bull Run, commanded 3rd Divn/III Corps at Antietam, Falmouth, November 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, Fredericksburg, commanded V Corps at Chancellorsville, commanded Army of the Potomac from Gettysburg onwards, July 1863 Brig. Gen. in RegularArmy, August 1864 Maj. gen. in regular Army, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, served under Grant as commander of the Army of the Potomac from the Wilderness until Appomattox.
Post War Career Army service, commanded Military Division of the Atlantic and Department of the East, Reconstruction administration.
Name BURNSIDE, Ambrose Everett
Born May 23 1824, Liberty IN
Died September 13 1881, Bristol RI
Pre-War Profession Tailor, graduated West Point 1847, Mexican war, frontier duty, resigned US Army 1853, businessman, militia officer.
War Service 1861 organised 1st Rhode Island - Col., commanded a brigade at First Bull Run, August 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, led expeditions against the North Carolina coast, New Berne, March 1862 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded Left Wing at Antietam, ordered to command Army of the Potomac November 1862, Fredericksburg, commanded Dept. of the Ohio, Knoxville, commanded IX corps at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Crater, relieved of command, resigned April 1865.
Post War Career Governor, businessman, US senator.
Notes An unwilling commander of the Army of the Potomac
Name CHAMBERLAIN, Joshua Lawrence
Born September 8 1828, Brewer ME
Died February 24 1914, Portland ME
Pre-War Profession College professor
War Service August 1862 Lt. Col. of 20th Maine, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, May 1863 Col., Gettysburg (w) - Medal of Honor, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, promoted in the field to Brig. Gen. of Volunteers by Gen. Grant in June 1864, Petersburg (w), Five Forks, accepted the formal surrender of the ANV.
Post War Career Governor, college president, businessman, author.
Notes Led the critical bayonet charge on the Union left on Little Round Top



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