John Fulton Reynolds

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Major General John Fulton Reynolds
Reynolds equestrian statue in Gettysburg National Military Park

John Fulton Reynolds (born September 20, 1820 in Lancaster , Pennsylvania , † July 1, 1863 in Gettysburg , Pennsylvania) was a major general of the Union in the Civil War .

Life

Reynolds was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to John Reynolds (1787–1853) and Lydia Moore Reynolds (1794–1843). Of his eight siblings who reached adulthood, two brothers also reached high military ranks. His brother Will Reynolds was promoted to Rear Admiral, James LeFevre Reynolds served as Quartermaster of the Pennsylvania Military Area. John Reynolds was nominated to the West Point Military Academy in 1837 by Senator James Buchanan , a close family friend . In 1841 he completed his training as the 26th of 50 cadets in his class.

He took part in the battles of Monterrey and Buena Vista in the Mexican-American War and by the end of the fighting had achieved the rank of major. When the Civil War broke out, he initially received command of the 14th US Infantry Regiment as a lieutenant colonel, but was promoted to Brigadier General on August 20, 1861. He was in command of a Pennsylvania Reserve Brigade and took part in some combat operations. Reynolds was captured on June 27, 1862, after the Battle of Gaines Mill . He was sent to Libby Prison , but was exchanged for Lloyd Tilghman on August 15th . He was given command of the Pennsylvania Reserves Division and fought in the Second Battle of the Bull Run . At the end of 1862 he took command of the 1st Corps of the Potomac Army which he led near Fredericksburg . After the battle he was promoted to major general. In the run-up to the Battle of Gettysburg , he tactically led the I., III. and XI. Potomac Army Corps and Brigadier General John Buford's Cavalry Division . During the first hours of the battle, he was shot dead by a sniper while fighting for McPherson Ridge . Reynolds was considered by many to be the best general in the army. His grave is in Lancaster .

Web links

Commons : John Fulton Reynolds  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files