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Civil War Soldiers - Foster

Foster, John G., major-general, U.S. Army, was born in Whitefield, N. H., May 27, 1823. He was graduated at the United States military academy in 1846, assigned to the engineer corps, and served in the Mexican war under Gen. Scott at the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco and Molino del Rey, where he was severely wounded. He was brevetted 1st lieutenant and captain for gallantry, and then, until the Civil war, was assistant engineer in Maryland, engaged on coast survey work in Washington, assistant professor of engineering at West Point, and engaged in the construction of Forts Sumter and Moultrie. He successfully moved the garrison of Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter during the night of Dec. 26-27, 1860, and was subsequently one of the defenders of the latter fort during its bombardment, and received the brevet of major for his services. He was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers Oct. 23, 1861, and for services at Roanoke island in Burnside's expedition to North Carolina received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel U. S. A. He was then in command of the Department of North Carolina, having been promoted major-general of volunteers, conducted several important and successful expeditions in 1862-63, had charge of the combined departments of Virginia and North Carolina from July to Nov., 1863, and after that commanded the Army and Department of the Ohio. This command he was forced to give up in Dec, 1864, on account of severe injuries sustained by a fall from his horse, and, on recovery, was given command of the Department of the South. He received Gen. Sherman and his army at Savannah, Dec. 21, 1864, on the completion of the march to the sea, and commenced the operations for the reduction of Fort Sumter and the capture of Charleston, S. C, but was forced by the condition of his old wound to leave the carrying out of his plans to Gen. Q. A. Gillmore. He received the brevet ranks of brigadier-general and major-general in the regular army for his services at Savannah and in the field during the war. Gen. Foster commanded the Department of Florida in 1865-66, and afterward superintended the construction of river and harbor improvements at Boston and Portsmouth. He died in Nashua, N. H., Sept. 3, 1874.

Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
 

Foster, Robert S., brigadier-general, U.S. Army, was born in Vernon, Jennings county, Ind., Jan. 27, 1834, where he received a common school education. Joining the Union army at the outbreak of the war he fought to the close, being advanced from rank to rank until, on March 31, 1865, he received the brevet of major-general of volunteers for gallant conduct in the field. He became captain in the 11th Ind. infantry, April 22, 1861, major of the 13th Ind. infantry, June 19, 1861, and was promoted lieutenant-colonel on Oct. 28 of that year, and colonel April 30, 1862. He was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers June 12, 1863. He resigned Sept. 25, 1865, and was offered a lieutenant-colonelcy in the regular army, but declined and took up his residence in Indianapolis, where he was city treasurer from 1867-72. He was United States marshal for the District of Indiana from 1881 to 1885. Gen. Foster died March 3, 1903.

Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
 


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