Military: Civil War: Bios of Gens. MANDERSON, McCLELLAN, NAGLER, PEMBERTON, SMITH and Adms. DAHLGREN and PORTER Philadelphia Co, PA Marcus F. Wright's Civil War Bios - 1907 USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Marti Graham marti@rootsweb.com Posted by Ruth Price Waldbauer http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Transcriptions/CivilWar/1907MarcusFWrightBios ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MANDERSON P.529 MANDERSON, GEN. CHARLES F., born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 9, 1837. He was educated in the schools of his native city; removed to Canton, Ohio, in 1856; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859, and, in 1860, elected city solicitor. He raised a company of three months volunteers in April, 1861, was commissioned as captain in the Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, served in Western Virginia in the summer of 1861, and when mustered out re-enlisted for the war, and was afterward attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and rose through the various grades to be colonel of his regiment, of which he took command during the battle of Shiloh. At the battle of Lovejoy Station he was so severely wounded that in April, 1863, after receiving the brevet of brigadier general, he resigned his commission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- McCLELLAN p.581 McCLELLAN, GEN. GEORGE BRINTON, born at Philadelphia, Pa., December 3, 1826. Graduated at West Point 1846. Served through the Mexican war, and attained rank of brevet captain. Made full captain 1855. Resigned 1857, and became president Illinois Central Railroad. At outbreak of Civil war, took command of Ohio volunteers, with rank of major-general, and soon given same command in United States army. Took command in western Virginia, whence he expelled the Confederates after the battle of Rich Mountain. After the collapse of the Manassas campaign, he was given command of the Army of the Potomac, and when General Scott retired, he became commander of all the armies. In March, 1862, his command was again reduced to the Army of the Potomac. Organized his new army in winter of 1861-62, and entered upon the disastrous Peninsula campaign. By September, 1862, he was back in Washington, reorganizing his shattered armies. Marched them through Maryland to repel Lee's invasion September 2-17, 1862. Fought the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, forcing Lee to retreat across the Potomac. Removed November 7, 1862, for failure to pursue Lee, and succeeded by Burnside. Nominated for the Presidency in 1864, on "The war is a failure" platform, and defeated. Retired to the business of civil engineer. Elected Governor of New Jersey in 1877, for the term 1878-81. Died at Orange Mountain, N.J., October 29, 1888. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAGLER p.581 NAGLER, GEN. HENRY MORRIS, born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 15, 1815. graduated at West Point, and assigned to infantry. Served in Mexican war. Engaged in banking in California, till outbreak of Civil war. In February, 1862, entered Union army as brigadier-general, and served through the Peninsula campaign. In 1863, commanded the 7th army corps. Mustered out April 4, 1864. Died in California, March 5, 1886. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PEMBERTON p.581 PEMBERTON, GEN. JOHN CLIFFORS, born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 10, 1814. Graduated at West Point, and assigned to artillery service against the Seminoles. Promoted to first lieutenant, and assigned to service as aide to Gen. Worth in Mexican war. distinguished at Monterey and Molino del Rey, and brevetted captain. Entered Confederate service as lieutenant-colonel. June 17, 1861 made brigadier. February 13, 1862 made major-general. Commanded Departments of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Made lieutenant-general October 13, 1862, and placed in charge of Departments of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Eastern Louisiana. In comand of defenses at Vicksburg, and defeated at Champion Hills May 16, 1863. Driven into Vicksburg by Grant and forced to surrender July 4, 1863. Later, an inspector of ordnance at Charleston, S.C. In 1876 located at Philadelphia, where he died July 13, 1881. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SMITH p.582 SMITH, GEN. CHARLES FERGUSON, born at Philadelphia, Pa., April 24, 1807. Graduated at West Point 1825, and served as professor of tactics 1829-42. Served in Texas campaign and through Mexican war. In 1855 became lieutenant-colonel of 10th Infantry, and engaged in Utah expedition. In command of Federal forces at Washington at outbreak of Civil war. Transferred to Kentucky as colonel of 3d Infantry. Participated in capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. Made a major-general of volunteers. Died at Savannah, Tenn., April25, 1862, while preparing for the movement on Shiloh. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAHLGREN p.579 DAHLGREN, REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN, ADOLPH, born in Philadelphia, Pa., November 13, 1809. Entered the navy, 1826. Passed midshipman in 1832. Served in coast survey. Cruised in Mediterranean, 1843-45. On return assigned to ordnance duty in Washington. Invented the Dahlgren gun for navy. In 1857 equipped the "Plymouth" and cruised along coast of Europe, and in West Indies. Made chief of ordnance department July, 1862. At beginning of Civil war had charge of left defenses of Washington. In 1863 was made rear-admiral, and placed in command of South Atlantic blockading squadron. Aided Sherman in his operation against Savannah and charleston. In 1866 had command of South Pacific Squadron. In 1869, appointed commandant of Washington navy yard. Published many valuable works on naval vessels and coast defenses. Died in Washington, July 12 1870. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTER p.581 PORTER, ADMIRAL DAVID DIXON, born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 8, 1814. Served with his father in the Mexican navy. Became midshipman 1829. Served in the Mediterranean till 1835. Assigned to United States coast survey corps. Made lieutenant 1841. At Washington Observatory 1841-45. Served in navy through the Mexican war. Again engaged in coast survey. Rose to rank of commander. Served in Union navy during the Civil war. Relieved Fort Pickens in Pensacola harbor. In 1862 commanded the mortar boats operating against New Orleans. Engaged in the unsuccessful attack on Vicksburg July, 1862. In January, 1863, captured Arkansas Post and destroyed Grand Gulf batteries. Made rear-admiral and had command of all naval forces on the Mississippi. Cooperated with Grant in siege and capture of Vicksburg July 4, 1863. Assisted Banks in Red River expedition 1864. In 1866 became superintendent of Naval Academy at Annapolis. On the death of Farragut in 1870, he became admiral, or commander-in-chief, in the navy. Wrote several valuable works. Died in Washington February 12, 1891.