1801
U.S. Brigadier General George S. Greene(i) is born in Apponaug, New Jersey. His parents were Caleb Greene and Sarah Robinson Wicks. He had eight other siblings. U.S. General Nathanael Greene, who served in the Revolutionary War, was a second cousin. George attended Wrentham Academy and Brown University. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties he would not be able complete his education at Brown. He moved to New York City, where he was employed in a dry goods store. He became acquainted with Major Sylvanus Thayer, superintendent of West Point, while in New York City, who recommended his appointment to West Point. He would graduate in 1823, second in a class of 35. Many notable Civil War officers were in his class: Lorenzo Thomas, David Hunter, Albert Sidney Johnston and Joseph K.F. Mansfield.
After graduation, Greene would be commissioned second lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Artillery. He would accept a position as assistant professor of mathematics, and engineering, at West Point – a position he held until 1827. He would teach many notables including future CSA general, Robert E. Lee. In 1836 he retired his commission, in the U.S. Army, to become a civil engineer. Greene would be involved in building railroads, water systems and bridges. He would be one of the founders of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Architects.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Greene’s patriotism led him to offer his services to the Federal government. On January 18, 1862 he was appointed colonel of the 60th New York Infantry Regiment.(ii) At 60 years of age, many people believed he was too old to lead a regiment in active service. In April 1862, Greene was promoted brigadier general, serving on the staff of US Major General Nathanial Banks, during “Stonewall” Jackson’s 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. In August 1862, he commanded the Third Brigade, Second Division (US Brigadier General Christopher Augur) of the II Corps (Banks) of the Army of Virginia. At the Battle of Cedar Mountain, he fought his troops aggressively, holding a far larger Confederate force until the surrounding brigades started to pull back.
On September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam, Greene would be elevated to division command, in US Major General Joseph K.F. Mansfield’s XII Corps. He would again lead his troops bravely advancing towards CS Major General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s 2nd Corps, near the Dunker Church. Commanding less than 2,000 troops, he would advance farther than any other troops, in this sector, until he was forced to pull back, suffering tremendous casualties. After Antietam, Greene took a three weeks sick leave. Upon his return, he would be in command of his Third Brigade. Assigned to US Brigadier General John W. Geary’s Second Division, he would see no action at Fredericksburg. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, Greene’s brigade would be positioned in the center of the main Federal line, when US Major General Oliver O. Howard’s XI Corps was routed, on the right flank. Greene would supervise construction of fortifications, and abatis, that would allow his troops to withstand several Confederate assaults. Geary would be wounded, during the action, and Greene would once again take temporary command of the division.
Performing his most valuable service, on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg, Greene would supervise construction of field fortifications on Culp’s Hill – the right flank of US Major General George Meade’s Army of the 
Potomac. With the majority of US Major General Henry Slocum’s XII Corps pulled from Culp’s Hill, to reinforce the left flank, Greene’s brigade would be left to defend nearly a mile of line, on Culp’s Hill. That evening, CS Major General Edward Johnson’s Division, of CS Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell’s 2nd Corps, attacked Greene’s position. His fortifications proved effective. His single brigade was able to withstand several assaults, until darkness ended the day’s fighting. The battle resumed the next morning, with the rest of the XII Corps now at Culp’s Hill. For nearly seven hours the battle raged with the Federal corps holding Culp’s Hill. The fortifications that Greene had constructed were essential to holding Culp’s Hill.
In the fall of 1863, Slocum’s XII Corps was sent west. Arriving at Chattanooga, to reinforce US Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s Military Division of Mississippi, the XII Corps would be instrumental in the Union victory. At the Battle of Wauhatchie, October 28–29, Geary’s division would be surprised with a night attack, by CS Lieutenant General James Longstreet’s Corps. In the ensuing battle, Greene would suffer a serious injury, to his jaw. After several surgeries, and court martial duty, Greene would join US Major General William T. Sherman’s army, during the Carolinas Campaign. He would be in command of the Third Brigade, of US Brigadier General Absalom Baird’s Division, of US Brigadier General Jefferson Davis’ XIV Corps. He would continue in this position until CS General Joseph Johnston’s surrender.
After the Civil War, General Greene would serve on court martial duty. He returned to civil engineering and would serve as president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. On January 28, 1899, at 98 years of age, Greene would die at Morristown, New Jersey. He is buried in Warwick, Rhode Island, where a two ton stone, from Culp’s Hill, adorns his grave. George S. Greene is a true American HERO.
1861
Arkansas secedes from the United States, becoming the ninth state to do so.(iii)
1862
Federal forces, of US Major General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac occupy Williamsburg, Virginia, after a heated battle. Also known as the Battle of Fort Magruder, it was part of McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign, designed to capture Richmond.(iv)
(i) George S. Greene, at Wikipedia, was used to research this article.
(ii) The Civil War Soldiers and Sailor System was used to research this article.
(iii) Confederate States of America, at Wikipedia, was used to research this article.
(iv) This Day In History, at History.com, was used to research this article.
