Pennypacker, a Pennsylvania Patriot, was not only a Genuine Boy General, but also won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Several Civil War Union Officers have been labeled Boy Generals, however Galusha Pennypacker, still remains the youngest U.S. Army Brigadier General in history.
Galusha Pennypacker, was born in 1844, a native of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Pennypacker was an only child raised by his grandmother. The grandson of a Mennonite bishop, he was described as a Quaker.Pennypacker’s mother died when he was 3. His father, Joseph, served in the Mexican War, then went to California in the Gold Rush and never came back. Pennypacker entered the service in April, 1861, at the age of 16, he enlisted as a quartermaster sergeant in the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, declining, on account of his youth, the appointment of first lieutenant. During his first three months of service, under Major-General Patterson, Pennypacker gained experience in the Shenandoah Valley.
In October 1861 he was appointed a major in the 97th Pennsylvania, for which he had helped recruit a company of men. The Ninety-seventh Regiment joined the Tenth Corps in the Department of the South, and during the years 1862 and 1863 participated in all the various engagements in which that corps took part, Forts Wagner and Gregg, James Island, Charleston and Fort Pulaski.
In April 1864, at age 19, Pennypacker was promoted to lieutenant colonel, replacing a sick officer. Two months later, he would be promoted again, to full colonel, in charge of the entire regiment. On May 20 he led his regiment in an assault upon the enemy’s lines at Green Plains, Bermuda Hundred, receiving three severe wounds, losing one hundred and seventy-five men killed and wounded, it would take Pennypacker 3 months to recover from his wounds.
Pennypacker returned to action in August at Petersburg and in September led his brigade in the successful assault upon Fort Harrison, where he was again wounded, and his horse shot from under him. In command of General Butler, Pennypacker participated in the failed Fort Fisher Expedition in December 1864.
In January 1865, under General Alfred Terry, Pennypacker made the successful assault upon Fort Fisher. He was again severely wounded and thought fatal. Pennypacker received six brevets or promotions as follows: Brevet brigadier-general U. S. . Volunteers, January 15, 1865; brigadier-general U.S. Volunteers, February 18, 1865; brevet major-general U.S. Volunteers, March 13, 1865; colonel Thirty-fourth Infantry U.S.A., July 28, 1866; brevet brigadier-general U.S.A., March 2, 1867, and brevet major-general U.S.A., March 2, 1867.
General Terry stated that Pennypacker and not himself was the real hero of Fort Fisher, and that his “great gallantry was only equaled by his modesty.” Major General Galusha Pennypacker was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery at Fort Fisher, on August 17, 1891, the citation reads, “Gallantly led the charge over a traverse and planted the colors of one of his regiments thereon, was severely wounded.”
Pennypacker was not only a Pennsylvania Patriot, but a Genuine Boy General, remaining the only general too young to vote for the President who appointed him.
Bummer
Heard of this fellow before but knew nothing about him other than his high rank and youth. To be honest, it was hard to take anyone with a name like Galusha Pennypacker seriously before (that name sounds like it was made up by a humorist). After reading your piece I have to say I’m impressed. Of course, the meat-grinder that was the Civil War made it a little easier for college professors (Chamberlain) or college-age kids (Pennypacker) to win honor and high rank.
Louis,
Pennypacker must have had many unique traits. Not many could handle the demands and pressures of command, at twice his age. Like Chamberlain, just to survive severe wounds, is a miracle unto itself. Galusha tells a story of the Dixie Boy that shot him the last time. At twenty feet and how his men witnessed it, clubbed the perp to death. A nightmare that would last Galusha a lifetime. Hope all is well.
Bummer
I would like to solicit your interest and seek recognition of “Michael Dougherty” resident of Bristol, Bucks CO, PA.
“Michael Dougherty’s” family tree is now on http://www.Ancestry.com
“Michael” was an Irish born immigrant to the USA.
At the beginning of the CW, he enlisted in the Union Army from PA. He served with the “Irish Dragoons” then integrated with a PA INF Regt and later in the CW, Troops B and later M, 13th PA Calvary, AOP.
He received the CMOH in 1897 for his courage in action during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign in VA.
He was captured twice (once exchanged and then recaptured again).
He survived lengthy imprisonment under very harsh and brutal conditions at many CSA notorious prisons.
He privately published his Prison Diary in 1908.
After release from the CSA Andersonville, GA prison, he survived the explosion of the Sultana steamboat on the Miss. River (April 1865).
His CW ordeals were almost incredible, unique, and indeed an epic story!
I would be glad to furnish you with more CW documentation on “Michael Dougherty”.
Thanks Again!
John Roark
Burke, VA
John,
The “old guy” is always interested in new material. Sounds like Michael has quite the story. If you want to contact Bummer off line, email at 1864bummer@gmail.com.
Thanks for following, looking forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Remaining
Sincerely,
Bummer