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Civil War Soldiers - Geary
| Geary, John W., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pa., Dec.
30, 1819. He entered Jefferson college but was compelled to leave
before graduation on account of his father's sudden death and loss of
property, then taught school and was a civil engineer at the time of
the outbreak of the Mexican war. He organized the "American
Highlanders," and as lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd Penn. volunteer
infantry joined Gen. Scott at Vera Cruz and commanded the regiment at
Chapultepec, where he was twice wounded, and at Belen Gate the same
day. His service won the approbation of the commanding general and he
was made the first commander of the city and promoted colonel of his
regiment. At the close of the war he went to California, was made
first postmaster of San Francisco, and was authorized by President
Polk to establish the postal service throughout California. He was
elected by the people alcalde and first mayor of San Francisco, and
also judge of the first instance. He was a delegate to the state
constitutional convention, where he was instrumental in securing the
organization of California as a free state, and upon his return to
Pennsylvania he retired for several years from public life to his farm
in Westmoreland county. He was appointed by President Pierce governor
of Kansas in 1856, but resigned the next year upon failing to secure
the state a free state constitution. Upon the outbreak of the Civil
war he organized, in April, 1861, a regiment of 1,500 men and reported
for duty to Gen. Banks at Harper's Ferry, Va. He commanded in several
engagements, distinguished himself and was wounded at Bolivar Heights,
captured Leesburg, Va., March 8, 1862, and was made brigadier-general
April 25. He was twice wounded at the battle of Cedar mountain, and on
recovery was placed in command of the 2nd division of the 12th army
corps, which he led in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
He was subsequently transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, in Gen.
Hooker's command, and distinguished himself at the battles of
Wauhatchie and Lookout mountain. In Sherman's march to the sea he
commanded the 2nd division of the 20th army corps, was the first to
enter Savannah after its evacuation, Dec. 22, 1864, and for his
conduct at the capture of Fort Jackson and gallantry at Savannah, he
was appointed military governor of the city. He was brevetted
major-general of volunteers, Jan. 12, 1865, "for fitness to command
and promptness to execute." Upon returning to Pennsylvania in 1866,
Gen. Geary was elected governor, and in 1869 he was re-elected. His
administration was eminently successful, and, after his death, which
occurred eighteen days after the expiration of his second term, the
legislature erected a monument to his memory. Gen. Geary died in
Hamburg, Pa., Feb. 8, 1873. Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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