Civil War Union Brigadier General. When the Civil War broke out, he was commissioned a Captain in the 1st New Jersey Infantry and took part in the Battle of Bull Run. Promoted to Major in the 4th New Jersey Infantry, he served with the 4th New Jersey through the Chancellorsville Campaign. Commissioned a Brigadier General in May 1863, he became the recruiting officer for black troops in Maryland. In 1864, Birney and his regiments became part of the Union Department of the South. Birney's brigade served under Major General Benjamin F. Butler in Virginia and joined other black regiments to form the 3d Division of the X Corps. His division fought at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, the Richmond line and in two battles along the Darbytown Road. In 1864, his regiments became the 2nd Division of the XXV Corps, that participated in the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns. For his military service, he was brevetted Major General of US Volunteers on March 13, 1865. After the war, he worked as US Attorney for the District of Columbia until his death.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. When the Civil War broke out, he was commissioned a Captain in the 1st New Jersey Infantry and took part in the Battle of Bull Run. Promoted to Major in the 4th New Jersey Infantry, he served with the 4th New Jersey through the Chancellorsville Campaign. Commissioned a Brigadier General in May 1863, he became the recruiting officer for black troops in Maryland. In 1864, Birney and his regiments became part of the Union Department of the South. Birney's brigade served under Major General Benjamin F. Butler in Virginia and joined other black regiments to form the 3d Division of the X Corps. His division fought at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, the Richmond line and in two battles along the Darbytown Road. In 1864, his regiments became the 2nd Division of the XXV Corps, that participated in the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns. For his military service, he was brevetted Major General of US Volunteers on March 13, 1865. After the war, he worked as US Attorney for the District of Columbia until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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