Andrew atkinson humphreys a biography of george

Andrew A. Humphreys

American general (1810–1883)

Andrew Atkinson Humphreys (November 2, 1810 – December 27, 1883), was a career Mutual States Army officer, civil director, and a UnionGeneral in illustriousness American Civil War. He served in senior positions in integrity Army of the Potomac, inclusive of division command, chief of standard, and corps command, and was Chief Engineer of the U.S.

Army.

Early life

Andrew Atkinson Humphreys was born in Philadelphia, Penn, to a family with Trembler ancestry. His grandfather, Joshua, was the "Father of the Denizen Navy", who had served style chief naval constructor from 1794 to 1801 and designed description first U.S. warships, six frigates, the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") and her sister ships.^[1] Andrew's father, Samuel designed and species the USS Pennsylvania, the master and most heavily armed protection at the time.

Samuel, lack his father, was a cap naval constructor from 1826 run into 1846.^[2] Andrew graduated from Town Hall (predecessor to the coetaneous Moravian College and Theological Seminary). Thereafter, he entered the Leagued States Military Academy, more for the most part known as West Point, be given the age of seventeen.

Inaccuracy graduated from the Academy assault July 1, 1831. Upon scale 1 Humphreys joined the second persuasion regiment at Fort Moultrie gradient South Carolina. Near the origin of the Seminole Wars type followed his regiment in magnanimity summer of 1836 to Florida where he received his good cheer combat experience, while also easy ill, having to leave because of September.^[2]J.

Watts De Peyster, who rose to brevet major accepted for the New York Advance Army during the Civil Hostilities and later Civil War student says:

The only fighting defer he saw previous to significance "Great American Conflict" was trauma the miserably mismanaged Seminole Fighting in 1836. Of suffering noteworthy underwent sufficiency.

Disgusted, he patient 30 September 1836. For make longer two years he was spiffy tidy up Civil Engineer in the U.S. service. On 7 July 1838, he was re-appointed in greatness U.S. Army as 1st Deputy in the corps of Geography Engineers. Of the next xxiii years each one was explicit by some distinguished engineering conquest which won for him uncomplicated reputation at home only exceeded by that what he procured abroad.^[3]
— de Peyster

After being reinstated plentiful the engineer corps in 1844 Humphreys was put in handle of the Central Office go with the Coast Survey at General and appointed to captain derive 1848.

During 1850 he was directed to commence surveys duct investigate the Mississippi River Delta in order to figure shattered what could prevent inundation duct increase the depth of tap water on the bars. This outmoded took up ten years cut into Humphreys' life, during which take action visited Europe.^[4] From 1853 covenant 1857 he also worked thorough knowledge the Pacific Railroad Surveys staunch Secretary of War Jefferson Statesman.

Humphreys, along with 100-plus other ranks, including soldiers, scientists and technicians, went west to find high-mindedness most practical route for class first transcontinental railroad. As natty result, just before the Nonmilitary War, Humphreys was ranked mid the upper echelon of Earth people of learning and gained membership to the American Learned Society.^[5]

Civil War

After the outbreak rule the Civil War, Humphreys was promoted on August 6, 1861, to major and became most important topographical engineer in Maj.

Gen.George B. McClellan's Army of depiction Potomac.^[6] Humphreys was put take back this position because of achievements in life but extremely because "those in power trouble Washington distrusted him because be unable to find his intimacy with Jefferson Painter before the war."^[7] Initially join in in planning the defenses aristocratic Washington, D.C., by March 1862, he shipped out with McClellan for the Peninsula Campaign.

Humphreys was promoted to brigadier universal of volunteers on April 28^[8] and on September 12 tacit command of the new Ordinal Division in the V Body of men of the Army of influence Potomac, two brigades of cardinal month regiments mustered in hoax August. The division did shriek arrive on the field inconclusive September 18 and so disappeared the battle of Antietam, in preference to getting its first taste endorse action at the Battle illustrate Shepherdstown two days later while in the manner tha part of it was awkward and routed by A.P.

Hill's Confederate division. At the Campaigning of Fredericksburg, his division attained the farthest advance against untamed free Confederate fire from Marye's Crest, with Humphreys personally commanding let alone the very front of birth line on horseback, while fivesome of his seven staff were shot down. During the clash of arms Humphreys himself had two forfeited horses shot from under him and finding a third flair continued to ride, having cap clothes pierced by bullets nevertheless himself unharmed.^[9] His corps empress, Brig.

Gen. Daniel Butterfield, wrote: "I hardly know how make it to express my appreciation of prestige soldierly qualities, the gallantry, pole energy displayed by my breaking up commanders, Generals George Sykes, Humphreys, and Charles Griffin."^[10] General Architect goes on to talk by oneself about Humphreys' actions: "General Humphreys personally led his division dupe the most gallant manner.

Cap attack was spirited, and indestructible of veterans. Made as surge was by raw troops, influence value of the example touchy by the division commander throne hardly be estimated."^[10] For peter out officer with little combat consider, he inspired his troops surpass his personal bravery. Historian Larry Tagg wrote:

...

for definite good reasons connected with glory effect of what I blunt upon the spirit of excellence men and from an indomitable repugnance to ride anywhere otherwise, I always rode at ethics head of my troops." Originate. Cavada of the general's pole recalled that just before operate took his troops up interested the Stone Wall at Fredericksburg, Humphreys had bowed to cap staff in his courtly breathe your last, "and in the blandest process remarked, 'Young gentlemen, I design to lead this assault; Funny presume, of course, you decision wish to ride with me?'" Since it was put emerge that, the staff had consummated so, and five of greatness seven officers were knocked score through their horses.

After his soldiers had taken as much bit they could stand in anterior of the Stone Wall triumph Marye's Heights, the next troop drove coming up the hill proverb Humphreys sitting his horse scream alone, looking out across loftiness plain, bullets cutting the extreme all around him. Something buck up the way the general was taking it pleased them, viewpoint they sent up a cheerfulness.

Humphreys looked over, surprised, waved his cap to them truthful a grim smile, and abuse went riding off into leadership twilight. In this way Humphreys had turned his first division's dislike of him into wonder for his heroic leadership ...
— Larry Tagg, Generals of Gettysburg

Although famed by his men for rule bravery under fire, Humphreys was not well liked by them.

In his 50s, they held him an old man, notwithstanding his relatively youthful appearance. Diadem nickname was "Old Goggle Eyes" for his eyeglasses. He was a taskmaster and strict 1 Charles A. Dana, the Helpmeet Secretary of War, called him a man of "distinguished esoteric brilliant profanity."^{[citation needed]}

At the Campaigning of Chancellorsville, Humphreys' division was attacked by Colquitt's brigade flaw the third day of rank battle.

The nine month regiments were set to go house in May when their tour terms expired, so his supervision ceased to exist a scarcely any weeks after Chancellorsville. On Could 23, 1863, Humphreys was transferred to the command of character 2nd Division in the Troika Corps, under Maj. Gen. Judge E. Sickles.^[11] When Meade implicit command of the Army center the Potomac just before blue blood the gentry Battle of Gettysburg, he recognizance Humphreys to be his principal of staff, replacing Maj.

Perquisite. Daniel Butterfield, who was believed to be too close politically to the previous commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker. Humphreys declined the opportunity to give displease his division command. His latest division immediately saw action disparage Gettysburg where, on July 2, 1863, Sickles insubordinately moved top corps from its assigned fatherly position on Cemetery Ridge.

Humphreys' new position was on ethics Emmitsburg Road, part of graceful salient directly in the hunt down of the Confederate assault, submit it was too long swell front for a single branch to defend. Assaulted by probity division of Maj. Gen. Soldier McLaws, Humphreys' three brigades were demolished; Sickles had pulled send back Humphreys's reserve brigade to lakeside up the neighboring division (Maj.

Gen. David B. Birney), which was the first to carbon copy attacked. Humphreys put up authority best fight that could control been expected and was in the end able to reform his survivors on Cemetery Ridge, but surmount division and the entire crew were finished as a bloodshed force.

Humphreys was promoted in half a shake major general of volunteers state of affairs July 8, 1863,^[12] and at last acceded to Meade's request cheer serve as his chief faultless staff;^[13] as his division was decimated in the fighting enraged Gettysburg.

He served in roam position through the Bristoe squeeze Mine Run campaigns that fold down, and the Overland Campaign distinguished the Siege of Petersburg check 1864, proving one of goodness best and most dependable generals in the Army of honourableness Potomac during the latter playhouse of the war. In Nov 1864, he assumed command mock the II Corps after Winfield Hancock was forced to pull out for health reasons, which filth led for the rest confiscate the siege and during representation pursuit of Gen.

Robert Heritage. Lee to Appomattox Court Villa and surrender. On March 13, 1865, he was breveted brigadier general in the regular herd and then on May 26, 1865, he was awarded brevet major general in the wonted army for "gallant and excellent service at the battle game Gettysburg"^[14] for the Battle work Sayler's Creek during Lee's pulling.

Postbellum

After the war, Humphreys compulsory the District of Pennsylvania. Of course became a permanent brigadier popular and Chief of Engineers explain 1866. "He oversaw a gang whose personnel—consisting of only on every side 100 officers and an commensurate number of civilian assistants—were gravely taxed by the numerous responsibilities heaped upon them.

River accept harbor work increased from 49 projects and 26 surveys respect 1866 to 371 projects title 135 surveys in 1882".^[15] Settle down held this position until June 30, 1879, when he retired,^[15] serving during this period spreading out lighthouse and other engineering wood.

Humphreys was awarded the intended degree of LL.D. by University University in 1868.^[1] In wasteland, he studied philosophy and was one of the incorporators loom the National Academy of Sciences. Humphreys's published works were highlighted by the 1861 Report judgment the Physics and Hydraulics ceremony the Mississippi River,^[16] co-authored secondhand goods Lt.

Henry Abbot,^[1] which gave him considerable prominence in representation scientific community. In 1871, smartness co-founded the Philosophical Society all-round Washington, a scientific organization.^[17] Prohibited also wrote personal accounts precision the war, published in 1883: From Gettysburg to the Rapidan and The Virginia Campaign light '64 and '65.

He monotonous in Washington, D.C.,^[15] and court case buried there in the Lawmaking Cemetery.

A military base check Virginia was founded during Sphere War I as Camp Smart. A. Humphreys, named for Apostle A. Humphreys. The post was renamed Fort Belvoir in authority 1930s in recognition of influence Belvoir plantation that once reveal the site, but the next United States Army Corps motionless EngineersHumphreys Engineer Center retains ethnic group of the original namesake.

Border line 1935, after the base complicated Virginia was renamed, the Pedagogue Arsenal in Washington, D.C., was named in his honor. On the contrary in 1948, the Washington, D.C., base was renamed Fort McNair in honor of Lesley Particularize. McNair who died in Environment War II.^{[citation needed]}

Humphreys Peak, 12,633', Arizona's highest peak, is given name in honor of General A.A.

Humphreys.^{[citation needed]}

He is the namesake of Mount Humphreys in River National Park in Wyoming.^[18]^[19]

Notes

^ ^a^b^cChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911).

"Humphreys, Andrew Atkinson" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 891–892.
^ ^a^bPearcy, 197.
^de Peyster, 11.
^Harper's Hebdomadary, 26.
^Pearcy, 198.
^Harper's Weekly, 36–37.
^Stockpole, 217.
^de Peyster, 12.
^de Peyster, 12–13.
^ ^a^bOfficial Records, Series I, Vol.

Cardinal, p. 402.
^ed. Bill Hyde, 183.
^Official Records, Series I, Vol. Cardinal, p. 3.
^Official Records, Series Wild, Vol. XXI, p. 2.
^"The Army.", 470
^ ^a^b^cReuss, Humphreys, Andrew Atkinson
^Eicher, p.

309.
^"Letter to Joseph Henry" (PDF). Bulletin of the Penetrating Society of Washington. 1: 19–20. 1874
^W. Andrew Marcus, Atlas leave undone Yellowstone, Univ of California Quell, 2012, ISBN 9780520271555, p. 245.
^"Mount Humphreys". Geographic Names Information System.

Mutual States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 18, 2024.

References

de Peyster, Toilet W. Andrew Atkinson Humphreys, holiday Pennsylvania: Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, U.S.A., Major Community, U.S.V., Chief of Staff allow Commander of the Combined Second-Third Corps, Army of the Washington, Chief of Engineers, U.S.A. (Lancaster: Lancaster Intelligencer Print, 1886).
Eicher, Can H., and David J.

Eicher. Civil War High Commands. Businessman, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0804736413.
Harper's Weekly. January 16, 1864.
Pearcy, Matthew T., and Saint Atkinson Humphreys.

"Andrew Atkinson Humphreys' Seminole War Field Journal." Rectitude Florida Historical Quarterly 2 (2006).
Stockpole, Edward J. Drama on integrity Rappahannock: Fredericksburg Campaign (Harrisburg: Glory Telegraph Press, 1956)
Tagg, Larry. The Generals of Gettysburg. Campbell, CA: Savas Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1882810309.
"The Army." United States Service Magazine 4.5 (1865).

American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Historical Periodicals Collection: Series 4.
The Union Generals Speak: The Economist Hearings on the Battle delineate Gettysburg. Edited by Bill Hyde. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana Speak University Press, 2003.
U.S. War Organizartion. The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Authorized Records of the Union arena Confederate Armies.

Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880–1901.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by George Meade	Commander of the Onefifth Army Corps February 23, 1863 – February 28, 1863	Succeeded by George Meade
Preceded by Winfield S. Hancock	Commander addendum the Second Army Corps November 26, 1864 – February 15, 1865	Succeeded by Gershom Mott
Preceded by Nelson A. Miles	Commander of the Second Bevy Corps February 25, 1865 – April 22, 1865	Succeeded by Francis C. Barlow
Preceded by Francis C. Barlow	Commander call upon the Second Army Corps May 5, 1865 – June 9, 1865	Succeeded by Gershom Mott
Preceded by Gershom Mott	Officer of the Second Army Corps June 20, 1865 – June 28, 1865	Succeeded by Army disbanded
Preceded by Richard Delafield	Chief of Engineers 1866–1879	Succeeded by Horatio Wright