Uriah Galusha Pennypacker was a Union general during the American Civil War.
22 Facts About Galusha Pennypacker
1.
2.
Galusha Pennypacker was awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher during the Civil War.
3.
Galusha Pennypacker was born supposedly June 1,1844, but the year is uncertain.
4.
Galusha Pennypacker was born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to a family with a long history of military service.
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Galusha Pennypacker was raised without having any memory of his parents, Joseph Judson Pennypacker and Tamson A Workheiser.
6.
Galusha Pennypacker's grandfather served in the military, fighting in the American Revolutionary War.
7.
Galusha Pennypacker was a cousin of General Benjamin Prentiss through the Pennypacker family.
8.
At the age of 16, Galusha Pennypacker enlisted as a quartermaster sergeant in the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry from West Chester, Pennsylvania.
9.
Galusha Pennypacker assumed command of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, X Corps of the Army of the James.
10.
Galusha Pennypacker led his brigade into action at the Battle of New Market Heights and was wounded near Fort Gilmer.
11.
Galusha Pennypacker's brigade was attached to the Fort Fisher Expedition under Alfred Terry.
12.
Galusha Pennypacker's wound was considered fatal and General Terry promised the young officer that he would receive a brevet promotion for his conduct that day.
13.
Galusha Pennypacker received a brevet promotion to brigadier general dated January 15,1865.
14.
Galusha Pennypacker survived his wounds after 10 months in the hospital and on April 28,1865, he received a full promotion to brigadier general of volunteers at age 20, making him the youngest officer to hold the rank of general to this day in the United States Army.
15.
Galusha Pennypacker was appointed a brevet major general of volunteers on March 13,1865.
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Galusha Pennypacker stayed in the Army after the Civil War, being commissioned as Colonel of the 34th US Infantry in July 1866.
17.
Galusha Pennypacker received a brevet promotion to major general in the regular army on March 2,1867.
18.
Galusha Pennypacker's regiment merged with the 11th US Infantry in 1869 to become the 16th US Infantry, which he commanded until his retirement in July 1883 at the age of 39.
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In 1889, Galusha Pennypacker became an honorary member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati.
20.
Galusha Pennypacker was a first class companion of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
21.
In 1904, Galusha Pennypacker, having retired with the regular rank of colonel, was promoted to brigadier general on the retired list.
22.
Galusha Pennypacker died less than a month after the death of his noted cousin, former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W Pennypacker.