Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Born in Giessen, Germany, he came to the United States in 1849. At the start of the Civil War, he was a recorder of deeds in Philadelphia when he enlisted in the Union Army and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant in Company D, 78th Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the Second Battle of Bull Run, he was a Captain leading his company when wounded and for his actions on the field was promoted Major. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was wounded again, was returned to Philadelphia and in 1863, took command of Camp William Penn, the first Federal training facility for African-American soldiers. Promoted Colonel in command of the 8th United States Colored Troops Regiment, he also commanded the 5th Brigade of the National Guard and regiments of the 5th Brigade. For meritorious services, he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865. After the war, he was director of pubic works at Philadelphia and served as the national Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died at age 76 in Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Born in Giessen, Germany, he came to the United States in 1849. At the start of the Civil War, he was a recorder of deeds in Philadelphia when he enlisted in the Union Army and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant in Company D, 78th Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the Second Battle of Bull Run, he was a Captain leading his company when wounded and for his actions on the field was promoted Major. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was wounded again, was returned to Philadelphia and in 1863, took command of Camp William Penn, the first Federal training facility for African-American soldiers. Promoted Colonel in command of the 8th United States Colored Troops Regiment, he also commanded the 5th Brigade of the National Guard and regiments of the 5th Brigade. For meritorious services, he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865. After the war, he was director of pubic works at Philadelphia and served as the national Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died at age 76 in Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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