Bio of Seeley, Major Francis W. (b.1837) Wabasha Co., MN
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Seeley, Major Francis W., (page 1276), postmaster at Lake City, is the
eldest son of I. O. Seeley, born at Ashtabula, Ohio, April 12, 1837, and
was, therefore, but sixteen years old when he came with his parents to
Wabasha. His educational privileges had been limited, but after joining
the regular army he prepared himself by assiduous study for the life of a
useful soldier and citizen. He enlisted in February, 1855, in Sherman's
battery, 3d Art., then stationed at Fort Snelling, and served till the
opening of the civil war, as a non-commissioned officer, on the western
frontier. On September 19, 1860, he was breveted second lieutenant by
President Buchanan, and on February 4 following was made second lieutenant
in the 4th Art.; May 14 thereafter he was promoted to first lieutenant,
and served as adjutant-general of the department of Florida, where he was
then stationed. July 11, 1863, he was made captain, 4th Art. He is the
only officer, below the grade of field officer, mentioned by Greeley in
his history of the rebellion. May 30, 1863, he was promoted to be a brevet
captain, and July 2 following major, for "gallant conduct in the battles
of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg." Both promotions were confirmed by the
senate. In the first-named memorable battle his battery fired the last
Union shot, and he retired, under orders, with heavy loss in both men and
horses.
At the conclusion of the battle (Chancellorsville) of Sunday, Captain
F. W. Seeley's battery, which was the last battery that fired a shot in
that battle, had one officer and forty enlisted men killed and wounded,
and in the neighborhood of sixty horses killed or disabled; but being a
soldier of great pride and ambition, and not wishing to leave any of his
material in the hands of the enemy, he withdrew so entirely at his leisure
that he carried off all his wounded men and even the accoutrements from
his dead and disabled horses!-See Vol. 1, page 9. Report of the committee
on the conduct of the war, 1865.
In his offical report of the battle of Gettysburg, Maj.-Gen. A. A.
Humphreys says: "Seeley's battery, 'K, 4th U. S. Art.' was placed at my
disposal. * * * The firing of Seeley's battery was splendid, and excited
my admiration, as well as that of every officer who beheld it. His loss in
men and horses was heavy, including himself, twice severely wounded." Maj.
Seeley was twice wounded on this occasion, and was ultimately forced by
the effects of his injuries and exposure to resign his commission, which
he did on August 31, 1864. Besides the battles above named, he
participated in the following engagements: Battle of Santa Rosa Islands,
Florida; bombardment of Forts McRae and Barrancas, Florida; siege of
Yorktown; battles of Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg and others.
After leaving the army he returned to Wabasha county and engaged in
farming for three years, but was forced to give it up on account of
physical disability, the result of his wounds. He was elected to the
legislature in 1868. In March, 1873, he was appointed by President Grant
to the charge of Lake City postoffice, and has continued to serve the
people in that capacity since. He was one of the original members of the
Odd-Fellows lodge here. In theological matters he is very liberal. August
5, 1863, he espoused Miss Emily C. Loveland, of Ashtabula. They were given
a daughter in 1866, and christened her Frances E.
War of Rebellion (Civil War)