| Old Contemptibles | 11 May 2015 12:57 p.m. PST |
I have heard this term before. I think it refers to Custer and Merritt. Anyone else, either side? |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 1:11 p.m. PST |
Emory Upton was a Union Brigadier-General by the age of 24 |
| TNE2300 | 11 May 2015 1:24 p.m. PST |
Galusha Pennypacker (June 1, 1844 – October 1, 1916) was a Union general during the American Civil War. He is to this day the youngest person to hold the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army; at the age of 20, he remains the only general too young to vote for the president who appointed him. link |
 enfant perdus  | 11 May 2015 1:30 p.m. PST |
There is some doubt as to Pennypacker's actual DOB.
link Still, if not the youngest ever, certainly one of them. |
| enfant perdus | 11 May 2015 1:43 p.m. PST |
For the Union, Charles "Tucky" Collins, Cyrus Hamlin, Francis Bartlett, and James Wilson come to mind. For the CSA, Micah Jenkins. |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 1:44 p.m. PST |
William Paul Roberts was made a Confederate General in 1865 when he was 24 … |
| HistoryPhD | 11 May 2015 1:46 p.m. PST |
Galusha Pennypacker. The youngest general on either side, attaining that rank at the age of 20, though his year of birth is given variously as 1841, 1842, and 1844. Supposedly his headstone has 1842, though I've never seen it in person. |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 1:46 p.m. PST |
Pennypacker's actual date of birth is listed as 1841 |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 1:57 p.m. PST |
John C. Carter, Confederate Brigadier-General was mortally wounded at Franklin aged 27 |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 2:08 p.m. PST |
Brigadier-General James Dearing, C.S.A was mortally wounded in 1865 aged 25 |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 2:22 p.m. PST |
Brigadier-General John H. Kelly, C.S.A was mortally wounded in August 1864 aged 24 |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 2:24 p.m. PST |
John D. Kennedy, C.S.A promoted to temporary rank of Brigadier-General in 1864 aged 24 |
 Saber6  | 11 May 2015 2:26 p.m. PST |
Wilson had a Corps before he was 28
link |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 2:29 p.m. PST |
Thomas M. Logan, C.S.A promoted to Brigadier-General in 1865 aged 25 |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 2:42 p.m. PST |
Felix H. Robertson, C.S.A promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in 1864 aged 25 |
| GoodOldRebel | 11 May 2015 2:47 p.m. PST |
John C.C. Sanders, C.S.A, promoted to temporary rank of Brigadier-General and killed in action 1864 |
| Old Contemptibles | 11 May 2015 2:54 p.m. PST |
This is good stuff. I forgot about Wilson and Jenkins. Thanks EP. I think the number of Confederate Generals in their twenties speaks of the number of officer casualties and the very low CS manpower pool by 1865. I was thinking more in terms of I guess "Wonder Kids" or overachievers for lack any better terms. Those in their twenties who rose to the rank of General rapidly in the war. When it was unusual to see such young generals. Has anyone else heard the term "Boy Generals"? |
| Garryowen | 11 May 2015 4:15 p.m. PST |
I don't have time to check now, but I think Farnsworth, killed at Gettysburg on the Union left flank was quite young. Tom |
| Kings Ranger | 11 May 2015 5:32 p.m. PST |
You are correct Garyowen! He was 25 when he lead that ill fated charge. Travis |
| 49mountain | 12 May 2015 1:53 p.m. PST |
Wasn't Conferate General Wheeler pretty young? |
| GoodOldRebel | 12 May 2015 2:57 p.m. PST |
Wheeler was 25 I think in 1861? He made Brigadier-General in 1862 and Major-General the following year. |
| donlowry | 13 May 2015 9:31 a.m. PST |
Farnsworth, yes. He was promoted at the same time as Custer and Merritt -- from captain to brigadier general. Kilpatrick was only a couple of years older, IIRC. |
| enfant perdus | 13 May 2015 2:19 p.m. PST |
Kilpatrick was 27 when he received his star. He just looks a lot older in his pictures! It makes sense that he's Anderson Cooper's something-great-grandfather. |
| John Miller | 13 May 2015 2:33 p.m. PST |
Would anyone consider Barlow a "Boy General"? I believe he commanded a division at 28 or 29 years old. He certainly looks like a boy in his photos, probably being clean shaven in a well bearded and mustached army is mostly responsible for that I guess. Thanks, John Miller |
