january civil engineer union general american civil war family rhode_island record distinguished military service united_states served army graduating second class west_point civilian founder responsible numerous railroads construction projects northeastern united_states years civilian rejoined army fight american civil war despite age quickly rose ranks appointed brigadier general early war took notable contribution war defense union right flank battle returned engineering work war death early life born rhode_island children family roots founding rhode_island american revolutionary war including general george second cousin financially ship owner merchant act prohibited vessels carrying goods countries war left family financial difficulties young george attended latin grammar school providence hoped attend impoverished father afford moved new_york_city found work dry goods store pearl street new_york store met superintendent recommended secretary war appointment academy entered west_point age graduated second cadets class classmates included future union adjutant general graduates academy generally chose engineers branch decided artillery commissioned second lieutenant 3rd artillery regiment excellent academic performance stayed academy assistant professor mathematics principal assistant professor engineering students taught period summer married sister best friend west_point elizabeth gave birth children years assigned maine tragedy struck family elizabeth children died seven months probably tuberculosis ease pain mind escape isolation loneliness peacetime army garrison duty immersed study law medicine coming close professional certification time resigned commission civil engineer built railroads states designed municipal sewage water systems washington detroit cities new_york_city designed reservoir enlarged high bridge founders new_york_city trip maine railroad surveying met daughter prominent massachusetts politician married massachusetts february children including sons later served military daughter son died infancy civil war despite years old having army years crisis union compelled seek rejoin service essentially abolitionist firm believer restoring union appointed colonel 60th new york volunteer infantry january regiment upstate new dissatisfied colonel company commanders petitioned removal governor initially reluctant appoint age saw years regular army experience solution political military problem period governor massachusetts prepared offer regiment chose serve new_york officers 60th dismayed elderly gray haired man reported duty requested lieutenant colonel promoted raised rank april appointed brigadier general volunteers served staff campaign age oldest generals union army troops took calling old man actually general officers civil war older age aggressive commanders army commanded attacked confederate force times size men refused ground holding neighboring union units forced withdraw division commander brig received severe wound action took command division temporarily temporarily elevated command division designated battle division brigades led junior officers survived commander brig killed shortly fighting began led crushing attack near achieving penetration lines union unit immense pressure held small division men engaged start day advance rest army hours eventually withdrew suffering heavy losses division posted took week sick leave speculated like fellow officers dead wounded returned new division commander brig days selected post wounded cedar mountain combat record good political connections sentiment wounded officer set career gave nod resumed command involved minor skirmishes northern virginia engaged battle december brigade center line union right collapsed brigade subjected artillery fire infantry assaults ordered men positions yards trenches able hold confederate assaults losing men engaged battle assumed temporary command division wounded battle highlight military career july shifted entire union right strengthen left flank heavy attack lone brigade new regiments left defend half mile line entire confederate division attacked fortunately previously demonstrated good sense civil engineer insisting troops construct strong field fortifications despite lack interest division commander corps commander finest moment war preparations proved decisive brigade held multiple attacks hours active entire engagement rallying men defend positions darkness brig acting corps commander july commended skill judgment defense especially advantages position late night rest returned fighting resumed morning seven hours union troops held regained lost ground thwarted renewed confederate attacks battle included oldest generals army brig smith desperate fighting union right flank important famous defense union left flank july col brigade fact given union line yards vital union supply line argued important contribution critical battle widely heralded principally dispute filing official reports member brigade wrote built thin line unprotected brigade line swept away like leaves wind oncoming heavy mass troops baltimore pike reached enemy fall transferred west reinforce union forces besieged battle surprise night attack confederate forces wounded face jaw crushed teeth carried away subsequent surgery able correct condition suffered effects wound rest life weeks medical leave assigned light court martial duty january sent join army north_carolina initially voluntarily served staff participating battle horse shot end war command participated capture pursuit army surrender career war served court martial duty year returned civil engineering new_york washington chief engineer commissioner new_york age inspected entire mile structure foot served president president appointed west_point oldest surviving union general oldest living graduate west_point petitioned united_states congress engineer captain pension help family death best congress willing arranged congressman veteran new_york lieutenant pension based highest rank achieved regular army august took oath office lieutenant artillery oldest lieutenant hours veterans united_states declared oldest lieutenant world history legacy died age new_jersey buried family cemetery rhode_island ton boulder placed grave statue erected wife martha died age oldest son lieutenant executive officer ironclad ship uss monitor sons commanded brigade battle manila spanish american war lieutenant father staff later charles wounded artillery shell leg remained active service volunteered serve allowed father survive carry family memorial tablet honoring approved sum dollars bronze plaque hangs inside south entrance island state house description sums general west_point graduate years old thick set feet inches high dark iron gray hair gray beard manner stern appearance excellent officer rough exterior possessing kind heart end men learned love respect beginning feared saying good deal subject knew drill command hour care command men respected accordingly
George S. Greene