George B. Boomer
Encyclopedia
George Boardman Boomer was a Union Army
colonel who served as a brigade commander between February 12, 1863 and May 22, 1863 during the American Civil War
. His principal service was during the heavy engagement of his brigade on May 16, 1863 at the Battle of Champion Hill
during the Vicksburg campaign and in the second assault on Vicksburg on May 22, 1863. Colonel Boomer was killed near the Railroad Redoubt on the second day of major assaults on the City of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863.
on July 26, 1832. He attended Worcester Academy
and graduated in 1847. Because of poor eyesight, Boomer did not go on to college. Instead, he joined his brother-in-law in building bridges across the Mississippi River.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he raised a company for the Union Army which became part of the 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment and by 1863 was promoted to colonel. He distinguished himself at Vicksburg as brigade commander under Major General
James B. McPherson
.
on May 24, 1863, Sifakis and Smith, both authoritative sources on the Vicksburg campaign, state he was killed in the second assault on Vicksburg on May 22, 1863 While some sources say he was brevetted to General, perhaps because he led a brigade for several months, four authoritative sources on Union Army general officers, including brevet generals, make no mention of a promotion or award of brevet rank for Colonel Boomer. His body was returned to Worcester, Massachusetts
and thousands attended his funeral. He was buried in Rural Cemetery in Worcester and the monument honoring him is a thirty-foot column with a large eagle at the top. His bravery was written about at the time.
A memoir of Colonel Boomer's life was published by his sister, Mary Amelia Boomer Stone, in 1864.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
colonel who served as a brigade commander between February 12, 1863 and May 22, 1863 during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. His principal service was during the heavy engagement of his brigade on May 16, 1863 at the Battle of Champion Hill
Battle of Champion Hill
The Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
during the Vicksburg campaign and in the second assault on Vicksburg on May 22, 1863. Colonel Boomer was killed near the Railroad Redoubt on the second day of major assaults on the City of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863.
Biography
Boomer was born in Sutton, MassachusettsSutton, Massachusetts
-Library:The Sutton Free Library was established in 1876. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Sutton spent 0.7% of its budget on its public library—some $18 per person.-Education:...
on July 26, 1832. He attended Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy is an independent coeducational preparatory school spread over in Worcester, Massachusetts in the United States. The school is divided into a middle school, serving approximately 150 students in grades six to eight, and an upper school, serving approximately 500 students in...
and graduated in 1847. Because of poor eyesight, Boomer did not go on to college. Instead, he joined his brother-in-law in building bridges across the Mississippi River.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he raised a company for the Union Army which became part of the 26th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment and by 1863 was promoted to colonel. He distinguished himself at Vicksburg as brigade commander under Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
James B. McPherson
James B. McPherson
James Birdseye McPherson was a career United States Army officer who served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War...
.
Death
While a source is cited in the footnote for the statement that Boomer was killed at the Battle of Champion HillBattle of Champion Hill
The Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
on May 24, 1863, Sifakis and Smith, both authoritative sources on the Vicksburg campaign, state he was killed in the second assault on Vicksburg on May 22, 1863 While some sources say he was brevetted to General, perhaps because he led a brigade for several months, four authoritative sources on Union Army general officers, including brevet generals, make no mention of a promotion or award of brevet rank for Colonel Boomer. His body was returned to Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
and thousands attended his funeral. He was buried in Rural Cemetery in Worcester and the monument honoring him is a thirty-foot column with a large eagle at the top. His bravery was written about at the time.
A memoir of Colonel Boomer's life was published by his sister, Mary Amelia Boomer Stone, in 1864.