CIVIL WAR INDEX
Primary Source Material
on the Soldiers and the Battles
Home The Armies The Soldiers The Battles Civilians Articles
 
If this website has been useful to you, please consider making a Donation.

Your support will help keep this website free for everyone, and will allow us to do more research. Thank you for your support!

Civil War Soldiers - Osborn

Osborn, Thomas O., brigadier-general, U.S. Army, was born in Jersey, Licking county, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1832. He attended Delaware college, was graduated at the University of Ohio with the degree of A. B. in 1854 and A. M. in 1857, studied law with Gen. Lew Wallace and began to practice in Chicago in 1859. He offered his services to the government at the beginning of the Civil war, was instrumental in enlisting and organizing the 39th Ill. regiment, became lieutenant-colonel of that organization, Oct. 11, 1861, and its colonel, Jan. 1, 1862. Being detailed to guard the Baltimore & Ohio railroad in West Virginia, he engaged Jackson's forces during the raid into Morgan county and held the superior Confederate force in check for several hours, afterwards making good his escape across the Potomac with small loss. He was engaged in the battle of Winchester, March 23, 1862, and commanded a brigade in the operations against the forts in Charleston harbor in 1863. He accompanied Gen. Butler up the James river in May, 1864, was severely wounded at Drewry's bluff, where he lost the use of his right arm, and at the siege of Petersburg he commanded the 1st brigade, 1st division, 24th army corps. He made a gallant charge and was instrumental with his brigade in the capture of Fort Gregg, April 2, 1865, and for this service was promoted brigadier-general on May 1, 1865, and he took an important part in the subsequent operations leading to the surrender of Lee's army. He was given the brevet rank of brigadier-general of volunteers, March 10, 1865, and that of major- general on April 2, in recognition of gallant and meritorious services in front of Richmond and Petersburg. Gen. Osborn resigned his commission, Sept. 28, 1865, and resumed his law practice in Chicago, becoming also treasurer of Cook county and a manager of the national soldiers' home. He was a commissioner to settle the disputed claims between the United States and Mexico, and from 1874-85 was United States consul- general and minister-resident to the Argentine Republic. He was subsequently engaged in railroad enterprises in Brazil but retained his residence in Chicago. He died, Dec. 20, 1898.

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


Whats New
Bibliography
About Us

Copyright 2010 by CivilWarIndex.com
A Division of Pier-Pleasure.com