Henry Warner Birge
Encyclopedia
Henry Warner Birge was an American
general during the American Civil War
.
, Connecticut
.
At the opening of the Civil War
Birge organized the first state regiment of three-year troops — the 4th Connecticut Infantry — in which he was appointed major. After service in Maryland and Virginia he was commissioned colonel of the 13th Connecticut Infantry in February 1862 and was placed in command of the defenses of New Orleans
. In December of the latter year he was appointed to the command of a brigade, which he retained through the first Red River campaign and at the siege of Port Hudson
. He was raised to the rank of brigadier general
in September, 1863, served in the second Red River expedition, and subsequently commanded at Baton Rouge
. In 1864 he was assigned to the command of the second division of the Nineteenth Corps
. He participated in the battles of General Sheridan
's campaign in the Shenandoah valley
, and in February and March, 1865, was appointed to the command of the defenses of Savannah
. His brigade fought in the Carolinas Campaign
. After General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered, Birge again commanded the district of Savannah.
On February 25, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln
nominated Birge for the award of the brevet grade of major general, to rank from February 25, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 3, 1865. Birge resigned from the army on October 18, 1865.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
general 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...
.
Biography
Birge was born at HartfordHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
At the opening of the 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...
Birge organized the first state regiment of three-year troops — the 4th Connecticut Infantry — in which he was appointed major. After service in Maryland and Virginia he was commissioned colonel of the 13th Connecticut Infantry in February 1862 and was placed in command of the defenses of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. In December of the latter year he was appointed to the command of a brigade, which he retained through the first Red River campaign and at the siege of Port Hudson
Siege of Port Hudson
The Siege of Port Hudson occurred from May 22 to July 9, 1863, when Union Army troops assaulted and then surrounded the Mississippi River town of Port Hudson, Louisiana, during the American Civil War....
. He was raised to the rank of brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in September, 1863, served in the second Red River expedition, and subsequently commanded at Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. In 1864 he was assigned to the command of the second division of the Nineteenth Corps
XIX Corps (ACW)
XIX Corps was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent most of its service in Louisiana and the Gulf, though several units fought in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley....
. He participated in the battles of General Sheridan
Philip Sheridan
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S...
's campaign in the Shenandoah valley
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
, and in February and March, 1865, was appointed to the command of the defenses of Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. His brigade fought in the Carolinas Campaign
Carolinas Campaign
The Carolinas Campaign was the final campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. In January 1865, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman advanced north from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas, with the intention of linking up with Union forces in Virginia. The defeat of ...
. After General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered, Birge again commanded the district of Savannah.
On February 25, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
nominated Birge for the award of the brevet grade of major general, to rank from February 25, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 3, 1865. Birge resigned from the army on October 18, 1865.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)