46 Facts About James Gwyn

James Gwyn was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

James Gwyn immigrated at a young age from Ireland in 1846, initially working as a storekeeper in Philadelphia and later as a clerk in New York City.

James Gwyn assumed command of the 118th Pennsylvania Regiment in the course of the war.

James Gwyn was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864, but returned to service after recuperating to take command of the Third, and eventually the First and Second Brigades of the First Division of the Union Army's V Corps.

James Gwyn was brevetted as a brigadier general by President Abraham Lincoln and then as a major general by President Andrew Johnson for his service.

James Gwyn's men described him as "a handsome and accomplished officer, and a bold and aggressive leader".

James Gwyn died on July 17,1906, and was honored with a military funeral and buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia.

James Gwyn was born in Derry, Ireland on November 24,1828.

James Gwyn was one of ten children raised in the Protestant household of Alexander Gwyn and Catherine Garvin.

James Gwyn lived in the rural Irish city until he enrolled in Foyle College.

James Gwyn boarded the John R Skiddy, a packet ship from Liverpool, bound for New York City.

On November 4,1846, James Gwyn arrived in America via the Port of New York, 22 days before his 18th birthday, although his immigration papers list him as 20.

James Gwyn purchased a 141 square feet plot in the Woodlands Cemetery on October 12,1853.

James Gwyn's wife gave birth to his first child, Elizabeth Gailey James Gwyn, on December 7,1858, and their second daughter, Matilda Geddes, on January 2,1861.

James Gwyn enlisted in Company G of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on April 21,1861, one week after the American Civil War began.

James Gwyn served in that company without interruption until July 31,1861, when he transferred to Company F James Gwyn resumed duty with the new company on August 2,1861.

James Gwyn served with the 23rd Volunteers for over one year; in that time, he took part in the Battle of Seven Pines, where, on May 31,1862, James Gwyn led the 23rd in aiding other Union companies in collecting escaped fugitives.

James Gwyn resigned from the 23rd Volunteers on July 22,1862, where he accepted a promotion to lieutenant colonel in a new regiment.

James Gwyn was officially mustered into service on August 16,1862.

On September 28,1862, James Gwyn sent a letter to Colonel Barnes stating that the 118th Regiment did not provide the Philadelphia Inquirer with information that the paper used to publish a map and a report of the incident.

Two days later, James Gwyn issued a report on the Battle of Shepherdstown, noting the efforts he made to rally troops to fight back against the Confederate troops, though his efforts were in vain, as Colonel Barnes ordered to regiment to fall back.

James Gwyn sharply criticized the men for breaking rank but "inwardly smiled at their enthusiasm".

On September 30,1863, Prevost officially retired, and James Gwyn was promoted to colonel and the commanding officer of the 118th.

James Gwyn served perfunctorily while in command of the 118th Regiment for the ensuing five months with no notable confrontations until the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.

James Gwyn would receive his promotion to colonel at Beverly Ford for his actions at Wilderness.

James Gwyn, having returned to active duty by this time, led the 118th in the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond campaign that lasted from June 9,1864, to March 25,1865.

The exact date and orders where James Gwyn received his commission as commander of the Third Brigade is unknown, although subsequent documents show James Gwyn reporting to headquarters as the brigade commander.

The Third Brigade remained at that station for the next eight days without incidence, with James Gwyn submitting a report to the Headquarters of First Division concerning what transpired during those three days.

At a two road junction in the afternoon, near Fort McRae, James Gwyn's leg was severely wounded when his horse fell upon him, though, did not permanently cripple him or lead to amputation.

Charles Griffin informed the Department of War that James Gwyn should receive the rank of brigadier general, and if that was not possible then he should be brevetted the rank.

The Federal Government approved of the idea and issued Special Order 347 on October 14,1864, in which James Gwyn was awarded the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from September 30,1864, by President Abraham Lincoln.

James Gwyn was formally nominated by President Lincoln on December 12,1864, and his appointment was confirmed by the US Senate on February 14,1865.

James Gwyn was diagnosed with malaria fever and prescribed a seven-day break to rest and recover.

James Gwyn's leave was approved on November 4, and he was permitted to recover for a week, resuming duty of November 7,1864.

Two days later, James Gwyn was notified that General Ayres would be absent for three days and would be fulfilling his role as acting commander of the Second Division.

James Gwyn took control of the Second Division, but soon went on a leave of absence from January 8,18 days into his 20-day service assignment, to January 21,1865.

Three days later, James Gwyn wrote his own letter with names of soldiers who he thought were deserving of merit for their exceptional service during the Battle of Hatcher's Run.

Major operations resumed on March 31,1865, when James Gwyn led the Third Brigade in the Battle of White Oak Road, and eventually on to Five Forks, Dinwiddie County, Virginia.

James Gwyn was later appointed brevet major general for his efforts during the battle.

James Gwyn led the Third Brigade to Washington, DC, for the Grand Review of the Armies, which took place on May 23 and 24,1865.

James Gwyn returned home to his wife Margaret and daughters Elizabeth and Matilda, now five years older than the last time he saw them.

James Gwyn applied for his military pension on October 6,1866.

James Gwyn's wife gave birth to a third daughter, Margaret, on December 7,1869.

James Gwyn had become connected with the mercantile house, Stuart Bros and returned to that business.

James Gwyn's body was taken back to Philadelphia, where he was interred in the Woodlands Cemetery following a military funeral on July 19,1906.

James Gwyn was buried in the cemetery plot section E, Lot 33 that he bought over fifty years earlier.