William H. Gray
The documents that typically chronicle a person’s life story are, for William, lost to history except for his military service. Having a middle initial helped somewhat to distinguish him from…
Read MoreJohn Reese Haslett
During the Civil war, a soldier could rise through the ranks as a line officer and become a colonel through a series of promotions, or he could begin his military…
Read MoreAlfred Day
The United States Army in the Civil War was nothing like the well-oiled fighting machine we know today. Its success relied entirely on the recruitment of men from the various…
Read MoreAnthony Hart Reynolds
Anthony was one of four boys who sailed across the Atlantic with his parents from Ireland just before the devastating Irish famine began in the 1840s. He became a naturalized…
Read MoreGabriel DeKorponay
This man’s life is a paradox. He eagerly stepped into military service on numerous occasions but his life’s work was teaching the latest dance steps. Source material for Gabriel’s life…
Read MoreMartin Fogg
This immigrant from Denmark changed his name from Morten Berg Fogh after he came to America in 1837. His joined his brother Hans and his new bride on the journey,…
Read MorePeter Turner
Not many men have dedicated 48 of their 68 years to active service in the United States Navy, and even fewer have had the naval pedigree that belonged to Peter…
Read MoreCharles Wright Geddes
During the Civil War, the South had several major ports but no shipping industry, few dockyards to build ships, few machinists, and few facilities to produce iron. What the South…
Read MoreJames Martin
James was born in County Derry, Ireland but his early years, including his date and place of emigration remain a mystery. He felt called to serve his new country at…
Read MoreCharles Frederick Ruff
Charles Frederick Ruff was born in Philadelphia, and at the age of 16 he entered the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1838 in a class…
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