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Civil War Soldiers - Humphreys
| Humphreys, Andrew A., major-general,
U.S. Army, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 2, 1810, and was
graduated at the United States military academy in 1831. From the time
of his graduation until the outbreak of the Civil war, with the
exception of two years, 1836-38, when he was employed by the U. S.
government as a civil engineer, he was constantly on duty, most of the
time in the engineer department, engaging in topographical and
hydrographical surveys of the delta of the Mississippi river, and on
other important engineering works, and on Aug. 6, 1861, was promoted
major, corps of topographical engineers. He was chief topographical
engineer under Gen. G. B. McClellan at Washington, Dec, 1861, to
March, 1862, and in the Army of the Potomac, being engaged in the
defenses of Washington, the siege of Yorktown, the battles of
Williamsburg, and the movements and operations before Richmond. He was
made brigadier-general of volunteers, April 28, 1862, and in September
of that year assumed command of a division of new troops in the 5th
corps of the Army of the Potomac, which division he led in the
Maryland campaign. He engaged in the battles of Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville, at the latter commanding the extreme left of the
army; was then transferred to the command of the 2nd division of the
3d corps, which he commanded at Gettysburg under Gen. Daniel E.
Sickles, and he was promoted major- general of volunteers, July 8,
1863. From that time until Nov., 1864, he served as chief-of-staff to
Gen. Meade, and was then given command of the 2nd corps, which he
commanded in the siege of Petersburg, the actions of Hatcher's run,
and the subsequent operations ending in the surrender of Lee's army.
Having previously been promoted lieutenant-colonel of engineers and
brevetted colonel, U. S. A., for gallantry at Fredericksburg, Gen.
Humphreys was awarded, on March 13, 1865, the brevet of
brigadier-general, U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious service at
the battle of Gettysburg, and that of major-general, U. S. A., for
similar service at Sailor's creek. He was mustered out of the
volunteer service, Sept. 1, 1866, having served after the march to
Washington following Lee's surrender, in command of the District of
Pennsylvania and subsequently in charge of the Mississippi levees. He
was made brigadier-general and chief of engineers, Aug. 8, 1866, the
highest scientific appointment in the United States army, with charge
of the engineer bureau in Washington. This office he held until June
30, 1879, when he was retired at his own request, serving during this
period on lighthouse and other important boards. During his military
career he served in seventy engagements, covering Indian warfare and
the Civil war. He was a member of various scientific societies and
author of several works on scientific and historical subjects. Gen.
Humphreys died in Washington, D. C., Dec. 27, 1883. Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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