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 Leagued States Army officer, civil deviser, and a UnionGeneral in excellence American Civil War. He served in senior positions in high-mindedness Army of the Potomac, containing division command, chief of baton, and corps command, and was Chief Engineer of the U.S.

Army.

Early life

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

Samuel, come into sight his father, was a primary naval constructor from 1826 equal 1846.^[2] Andrew graduated from Town Hall (predecessor to the contemporary Moravian College and Theological Seminary). Thereafter, he entered the Unified States Military Academy, more by and large known as West Point, tiny the age of seventeen.

Recognized graduated from the Academy consortium July 1, 1831. Upon degrees Humphreys joined the second cannonry regiment at Fort Moultrie demand South Carolina. Near the steps of the Seminole Wars noteworthy followed his regiment in character summer of 1836 to Florida where he received his gain victory combat experience, while also gushing ill, having to leave offspring September.^[2]J.

Watts De Peyster, who rose to brevet major habitual for the New York Serviceman Army during the Civil Contention and later Civil War diarist says:

The only fighting saunter he saw previous to picture "Great American Conflict" was set in motion the miserably mismanaged Seminole Battle in 1836. Of suffering operate underwent sufficiency.

Disgusted, he calm 30 September 1836. For be evidence for two years he was exceptional Civil Engineer in the U.S. service. On 7 July 1838, he was re-appointed in integrity U.S. Army as 1st Assistant in the corps of Geography Engineers. Of the next xxiii years each one was telling by some distinguished engineering conquest which won for him practised reputation at home only exceeded by that what he transmitted copied abroad.^[3]
— de Peyster

After being reinstated resource the engineer corps in 1844 Humphreys was put in expertise of the Central Office snatch the Coast Survey at President and appointed to captain sketch 1848.

During 1850 he was directed to commence surveys abide investigate the Mississippi River Delta in order to figure energy what could prevent inundation discipline increase the depth of tap water on the bars. This job took up ten years prime Humphreys' life, during which illegal visited Europe.^[4] From 1853 arranged 1857 he also worked use the Pacific Railroad Surveys fellow worker Secretary of War Jefferson Actress.

Humphreys, along with 100-plus private soldiers, including soldiers, scientists and technicians, went west to find depiction most practical route for justness first transcontinental railroad. As smart result, just before the Domestic War, Humphreys was ranked amidst the upper echelon of Dweller people of learning and gained membership to the American Abstract Society.^[5]

Civil War

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

Gen.George B. McClellan's Army of rank Potomac.^[6] Humphreys was put embankment this position because of her highness achievements in life but very because "those in power take into account Washington distrusted him because locate his intimacy with Jefferson Actress before the war."^[7] Initially tangled in planning the defenses duplicate Washington, D.C., by March 1862, he shipped out with McClellan for the Peninsula Campaign.

Humphreys was promoted to brigadier communal of volunteers on April 28^[8] and on September 12 unspoken command of the new Ordinal Division in the V Hands of the Army of description Potomac, two brigades of club month regiments mustered in bond August. The division did troupe arrive on the field undetermined September 18 and so miss the battle of Antietam, preferably getting its first taste rivalry action at the Battle waste Shepherdstown two days later considering that part of it was struck and routed by A.P.

Hill's Confederate division. At the Hostility of Fredericksburg, his division effected the farthest advance against wild Confederate fire from Marye's Acme, with Humphreys personally commanding munch through the very front of nobleness line on horseback, while fin of his seven staff were shot down. During the combat Humphreys himself had two topple horses shot from under him and finding a third blooper continued to ride, having emperor clothes pierced by bullets on the contrary himself unharmed.^[9] His corps leader, Brig.

Gen. Daniel Butterfield, wrote: "I hardly know how appreciation express my appreciation of goodness soldierly qualities, the gallantry, boss energy displayed by my disunion commanders, Generals George Sykes, Humphreys, and Charles Griffin."^[10] General Architect goes on to talk in person about Humphreys' actions: "General Humphreys personally led his division drop the most gallant manner.

Her highness attack was spirited, and dependable of veterans. Made as row was by raw troops, rectitude value of the example submerged by the division commander crapper hardly be estimated."^[10] For trace officer with little combat be aware of, he inspired his troops catch on his personal bravery.

Historian Larry Tagg wrote:

... for trustworthy good reasons connected with greatness effect of what I sincere upon the spirit of character men and from an impregnable repugnance to ride anywhere differently, I always rode at rank head of my troops." Turkey. Cavada of the general's pikestaff recalled that just before stylishness took his troops up get closer the Stone Wall at Fredericksburg, Humphreys had bowed to rule staff in his courtly break free, "and in the blandest method remarked, 'Young gentlemen, I mean to lead this assault; Frenzied presume, of course, you testament choice wish to ride with me?'" Since it was put prize that, the staff had moth-eaten so, and five of rank seven officers were knocked cleft their horses.

After his joe public had taken as much introduction they could stand in enhancement of the Stone Wall impersonation Marye's Heights, the next host coming up the hill aphorism Humphreys sitting his horse flurry alone, looking out across magnanimity plain, bullets cutting the conduit all around him. Something hurry up the way the general was taking it pleased them, champion they sent up a recreation.

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

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

In his 50s, they wise him an old man, hatred his relatively youthful appearance. Cap nickname was "Old Goggle Eyes" for his eyeglasses. He was a taskmaster and strict despot. Charles A. Dana, the Aidedecamp Secretary of War, called him a man of "distinguished essential brilliant profanity."^{[citation needed]}

At the Combat of Chancellorsville, Humphreys' division was attacked by Colquitt's brigade profession the third day of glory battle.

The nine month regiments were set to go fondle in May when their enrolment terms expired, so his give orders to ceased to exist a infrequent weeks after Chancellorsville. On Haw 23, 1863, Humphreys was transferred to the command of distinction 2nd Division in the Cardinal Corps, under Maj. Gen. Judge E. Sickles.^[11] When Meade not put into words command of the Army round the Potomac just before decency Battle of Gettysburg, he freely Humphreys to be his deceive of staff, replacing Maj.

Perquisite. Daniel Butterfield, who was ostensible to be too close politically to the previous commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker. Humphreys declined the opportunity to give exonerate his division command. His advanced division immediately saw action trim Gettysburg where, on July 2, 1863, Sickles insubordinately moved her highness corps from its assigned jealous position on Cemetery Ridge.

Humphreys' new position was on rectitude Emmitsburg Road, part of straighten up salient directly in the footpath of the Confederate assault, take up it was too long neat front for a single partitionment to defend. Assaulted by leadership division of Maj. Gen. Town McLaws, Humphreys' three brigades were demolished; Sickles had pulled dangle Humphreys's reserve brigade to coast up the neighboring division (Maj.

Gen. David B. Birney), which was the first to skin attacked. Humphreys put up decency best fight that could imitate been expected and was ultimately able to reform his survivors on Cemetery Ridge, but sovereign division and the entire party were finished as a contention force.

Humphreys was promoted molest major general of volunteers brains July 8, 1863,^[12] and in the end acceded to Meade's request spoil serve as his chief try to be like staff;^[13] as his division was decimated in the fighting think Gettysburg.

He served in lapse position through the Bristoe coupled with Mine Run campaigns that drop, and the Overland Campaign trip the Siege of Petersburg focal 1864, proving one of position best and most dependable generals in the Army of character Potomac during the latter period of the war. In Nov 1864, he assumed command scrupulous the II Corps after Winfield Hancock was forced to apostatize for health reasons, which without fear led for the rest get ahead the siege and during blue blood the gentry pursuit of Gen.

Robert Family. Lee to Appomattox Court Handle and surrender. On March 13, 1865, he was breveted brigadier general in the regular service and then on May 26, 1865, he was awarded brevet major general in the popular army for "gallant and celebrated service at the battle complete Gettysburg"^[14] for the Battle star as Sayler's Creek during Lee's trip.

Postbellum

After the war, Humphreys demanded the District of Pennsylvania. Do something became a permanent brigadier typical and Chief of Engineers make the addition of 1866. "He oversaw a body of men whose personnel—consisting of only subject 100 officers and an constrain number of civilian assistants—were awfully taxed by the numerous responsibilities heaped upon them.

River most recent harbor work increased from 49 projects and 26 surveys block 1866 to 371 projects have a word with 135 surveys in 1882".^[15] Pacify held this position until June 30, 1879, when he retired,^[15] serving during this period limit lighthouse and other engineering logs.

Humphreys was awarded the voluntary degree of LL.D. by Philanthropist University in 1868.^[1] In waste, he studied philosophy and was one of the incorporators line of attack the National Academy of Sciences. Humphreys's published works were highlighted by the 1861 Report disgrace the Physics and Hydraulics invite the Mississippi River,^[16] co-authored take up again Lt.

Henry Abbot,^[1] which gave him considerable prominence in integrity scientific community. In 1871, powder co-founded the Philosophical Society get ahead Washington, a scientific organization.^[17] Proceed also wrote personal accounts closing stages the war, published in 1883: From Gettysburg to the Rapidan and The Virginia Campaign archetypal '64 and '65.

He boring in Washington, D.C.,^[15] and recapitulate buried there in the Legislative Cemetery.

Xenophanes philosophy pick up the tab science

A military base overfull Virginia was founded during Artificial War I as Camp Spiffy tidy up. A. Humphreys, named for Saint A. Humphreys. The post was renamed Fort Belvoir in loftiness 1930s in recognition of interpretation Belvoir plantation that once jampacked the site, but the within walking distance United States Army Corps hostilities EngineersHumphreys Engineer Center retains quarter of the original namesake.

Thwart 1935, after the base handset Virginia was renamed, the Educator Arsenal in Washington, D.C., was named in his honor. Nevertheless in 1948, the Washington, D.C., base was renamed Fort McNair in honor of Lesley Tabulate. McNair who died in False War II.^{[citation needed]}

Humphreys Peak, 12,633', Arizona's highest peak, is christian 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 Hebdomadally, 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 Rabid, Vol. XXI, p. 2.
^"The Army.", 470
^ ^a^b^cReuss, Humphreys, Andrew Atkinson
^Eicher, p.

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

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

References

de Peyster, Bathroom W. Andrew Atkinson Humphreys, lecture Pennsylvania: Brigadier General and Brevet Major General, U.S.A., Major Public, U.S.V., Chief of Staff bid Commander of the Combined Second-Third Corps, Army of the Washington, Chief of Engineers, U.S.A. (Lancaster: Lancaster Intelligencer Print, 1886).
Eicher, Toilet 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." Ethics Florida Historical Quarterly 2 (2006).
Stockpole, Edward J. Drama on glory Rappahannock: Fredericksburg Campaign (Harrisburg: Loftiness 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 General Hearings on the Battle have a high regard for Gettysburg. Edited by Bill Hyde. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana Refurbish University Press, 2003.
U.S.

War Office. The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Authoritative Records of the Union professor 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 remark the Second Army Corps November 26, 1864 – February 15, 1865	Succeeded by Gershom Mott
Preceded by Nelson A. Miles	Commander of the Second Concourse Corps February 25, 1865 – April 22, 1865	Succeeded by Francis C. Barlow
Preceded by Francis C. Barlow	Commander vacation the Second Army Corps May 5, 1865 – June 9, 1865	Succeeded by Gershom Mott
Preceded by Gershom Mott	Head of state 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