536 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. At the latter place, and while leading a storming party in an attack on the Casa Mata, he was severely wounded. For meritorious conduct at Contreras, Cherubusco, and Molina del Rey, he obtained three brevets. On recovering from his wounds, he was sent, in 1859, to Charleston, South Carolina, to repair and complete the forts in Charleston Harbor. After the fall of Fort Sumter, Captain Foster superintended the erection of the fort at Sandy Hook. In the same year (1861) he received the appointment of brigadier-general of volunteers, and was ordered into active service in the Army of the Potomac. He commanded a division during Burnside's expedition against Roanoke island, and added much to the success of the enterprise. Afterward, he gained distinction at Newbern and Fort Macon; and on the transfer of Burnside to the Army of the Potomac became commander of all the troops left in North Carolina. The successful expedition to Goldsboro increased greatly his reputation. MAJOR-GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL was born in Baden, Germany, in 1824, and was educated at the military school of Carlsruhe. He rose rapidly in his profession, attained the rank of chief adjutant in 1847, and became one of the best artillery officers in Germany. He participated in the revolution of 1848, and in command of an army of the Liberals, was conspicuous for skill and gallantry. He was obliged to flee at the end of the war, which terminated unfavorably for the cause in which he battled. He came to this country, and was professor in a college at St. Louis, on the outbreak of the war, teaching the military art, among other branches of instruction. His spirit was aroused. He took a leading and active part among the Germans of Missouri, and was made commander of the third volunteer regiment, which was raised in St. Louis. On the death of General Lyon, at Springfield, Sigel led back the retreat to Rolla. In the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, his valor was conspicuous, and, finally, he attained the rank of majorgeneral, being, for a time, in command of the Eleventh corps, in the Army of the Potomac. He was afterward appointed to the command of the Army of Western Virginia, and was defeated by Breckinridge at New Market, in the Shenandoah valley, May 9th, 1864, after which he was sent to take charge of the post at Martinsburg. MAJOR-GENERAL J. Q. A. GILMORE was born in Lorain county, Ohio, in 1825, and graduated, first of his class, at West Point, in 1849. He was assigned to the corps of topographical engineers, and was engaged on the fortifications of Hampton Roads, Virginia, between the years 1849 -1852. The following four years, he was assistant instructor of practical engineering at West Point, during a part of which time he was also quartermaster and treasurer. In 1861, he received the appointment of chief engineer of Sherman's expedition against the Southern coast. He was engaged on the fortifications at Hilton Head, and designed and carried into execution the operations against Fort Pulaski. In April, 1862, he became brigadier-general of volunteers, was for some time engaged in South Carolina, and in September, of the same year, was put in command of the district of Western Virginia. He defeated Pegram at the battle of Somerset, Kentucky, March 30th, 1863, and on the 12th of June, of the same year, was placed in command of the Department of the South. On September 6th, 1863, he captured Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg, in Charleston Harbor. In May, 1864, in command of the Tenth corps, he was ordered to join the Army of the James, under Butler, and was engaged in two unsuccessful assaults on Petersburg. In February, 1865, he was again ordered to the Department of the South, and, on the evacuation of Charleston, occupied that city with his forces. In September, 1865, he became commander of the Department of South Carolina. BRIGADIER-GENERAL ALEXANDER HAYS was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, graduated at West Point in 1844, and passing through several grades, was made first lieutenant of infantry in June, 1846. He was distinguished during the war with Mexico in several battles. In 1848, he left the army, and, at the beginning of the war, was engaged in the iron manufacture in Venango county, Pennsylvania. In 1861, he re-entered the service as colonel of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania volunteers, and was made a captain in the Sixteenth regular infantry. Hays was conspicuous for bravery at the battle of Fair Oaks, and received a brevet of major. For gallant conduct in the seven days' battle, he was breveted lieutenant-colonel, and his services during the Maryland campaign won for him the star of a 538 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. brigadier-general. At the battles of Chancellorsville, where he was wounded, and Gettysburg, he evinced his usual bravery. At the latter battle, he was in command of the Third division of Hancock's corps, and of the entire corps when that general was wounded. In the battles of Auburn, Bristow Station, and Mine Run, General Hays was in command of the Third division; and when the Army of the Potomac was reorganized for the next campaign, he was placed in command of the Second brigade, Third division, Second corps, under General Hancock. On May 5th, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, he was killed, while bravely leading his men. MAJOR-GENERAL PHILIP KEARNEY had served with distinction as major in the Mexican war, and participated in the battles of the French army in Algeria, the Crimea, and at Solferino, in which he was noted for his bravery. He was made a brigadier-general in the Union army, in 1861, and was a fearless leader of his men. He led the brave New Jersey troops in the battles of the Peninsula, and was remarkable for gallantry at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Cross-roads, and Malvern Hill. He was killed September 1st, 1862, on riding forward to explore a gap in the Federal lines-being struck by the minie ball of a sharpshooter. The loss of this officer at such a crisis, especially, was a public calamity. MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FULTON REYNOLDS was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1820, entered West Point in 1837, and graduated on the 30th of July, 1841. On the 23d of October, 1841, he was commissioned second lieutenant of artillery, and on the 18th of June, 1846, a first lieutenant. In the Mexican war he won the successive brevets of captain and major, at Monterey and Buena Vista, and after his return, was on service against the Indians on the Pacific coast. He was aid to General Wool in March, 1852, and in 1855 became captain of artillery. In May, 1861, he organized the Pennsylvania Reserves, during the same month was made lieutenant-colonel of the Fourteenth United States infantry, and in August, of that year, was placed in command of the first brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves. He was engaged in the construc GENERAL ALFRED PLEASANTON. 539 tion of Fort Pennsylvania, at Tenallytown, D. C., and on the Peninsula, took part in the battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, and at Charles City crossroads. He was taken prisoner on the latter occasion, where he commanded, for awhile, the division of McCall, on the capture of the latter. Reynolds was made a brevet colonel and a brigadier-general in the regular army, commanded the Pennsylvania Militia during the rebel invasion in September, 1862, and afterward commanded the First corps under Franklin, being on the left wing at the battle of Fredericksburg. His commission of major-general of volunteers was dated from the 29th of November, 1862. He was in reserve at the battle of Chancellorsville, where he was distinguished for the promptness and skill with which he served his corps, in accordance with the design of General Hooker to deceive the enemy. He was appointed to command the right wing of Hooker's army on the 12th of June, when he had charge of three corps. At Gettysburg, he commanded the vanguard of the army, and on this bloody field he fell in the defence of his country on the first day of the battle. Thus perished a thorough soldier, and a true patriot. GENERAL ALFRED PLEASANTON was born in the District of Columbia in 1824, entered West Point at the age of sixteen, and graduated in 1844, the seventh of his class. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the second dragoons, November 3d, 1845, served in the Mexican war under General Taylor, and was breveted for gallant and meritorious conduct at Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma. He became first lieutenant in 1839, adjutant of his regiment in 1854, and captain March, 1855. In 1856, he became assistant adjutant-general to General Harney in the Department of the West. In February, 1862, he received the rank of major in the regular army, and served with such distinction in the Peninsula, in the regular cavalry corps, as to obtain two brevets. On the 16th of July, 1862, he was appointed briadier-general of volunteers, and was placed in command of a cavalry division under Stoneman. He was much distinguished during the Maryland campaign, and by a dash on Frederick, (September 12th,) drove the rebels from that place. His cavalry, on the 15th, in the 540 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. battle of Boonesboro, gained a splendid victory. Many important reconnoisances were made by him, before the battle of Fredericksburg, and he was also actively engaged at Gettysburg. He was promoted to the rank of major-general of volunteers, and, upon the appointment of General Stoneman to be head of the Cavalry Bureau, Pleasanton became commander of the cavalry corps of the army of the Potomac. BRIGADIER-GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN was born in the county of Sligo, Ireland, in 1827, and came to the United States in 1849. He began his military career as a private in the Sixty-ninth New York State Militia, which in August, 1859, elected him its colonel. He led this regiment to the seat of war in 1861, and the soldiers composing it, built Fort Corcoran, on Arlington Heights. At the battle of Bull Run, the regiment and its commander gained great renown. The colonel was captured and sent to Richmond, and thence to Charleston, South Carolina. On his release he was commissioned brigadier-general, dating from July 21st, 1862. His progress from Washington to Philadelphia was an ovation, and he was entertained with a sumptuous banquet at the latter city. He organized the Corcoran Legion, and, during April, 1863, fought in the battles of the Nansemond river and Suffolk, holding the enemy at bay. The Legion was attached to the army of the Potomac in August, 1863. On the 22d of December, General Corcoran mounted a horse, and was a little in advance of his friends, who, with himself, formed a party to convey General Meagher back from the head-quarters to Washington. He was found lying senseless near head-quarters, his horse having fallen upon him. All medical assistance was unavailing, and he died at Fairfax Court House, where his troops then lay, December 22d, 1863. COLONEL ELMER E. ELLSWORTH was born in Massachusetts. At an early age, he was cast on his own resources, and exposed to toil and privation. He removed to Chicago in 1852, with but poor prospects, except those which hope presents to the youthful mind. His pursuits were varied, and at one period he began the study of law |