Charles H. T. Collis
Encyclopedia
Charles Henry Tucker "Tucky" Collis (February 4, 1838 - May 11, 1902) was an Irish-American US Army officer who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions in the American Civil War
. He was born in Ireland
.
Collis immigrated with his father to the United States
in 1853, and after studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1859. At the start of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry, and within three months was promoted to sergeant major
. Following his first enlistment, he was commissioned a captain and authorized to raise a company from amongst European immigrants, called the Zouave
s d'Afrique (African Zouaves).
On September 1, 1862, after they performed well in the Shenandoah Valley
, Collis was promoted to colonel
and instructed to recruit a regiment, which would become the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry
. He commanded the regiment during the Battle of Fredericksburg
, for which he would receive the Medal of Honor. He was later wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville
and contracted typhoid fever
, but recovered by August 1863, becoming a brigade commander under major general
David B. Birney
.
On December 12, 1864, President
Abraham Lincoln
nominated Collis for appointment to the brevet
grade of brigadier general
of volunteers to rank from October 28, 1864 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on February 14, 1865. Collis was given command of an independent brigade, commanding this unit at Rappahannock
and the Siege of Petersburg
. Collis was mustered out of the volunteers on May 29, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson
nominated Collis for appointment to the brevet grade of major general
of volunteers to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.
Following the war, Collis returned to practicing law, becoming an Assistant City Solicitor in Philadelphia. He also built a cottage on Seminary Ridge
, known as "Red Patch". Collis died at Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania on May 11, 1902. He was buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery
.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Collis immigrated with his father to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1853, and after studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1859. At the start of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 18th Pennsylvania Infantry, and within three months was promoted to sergeant major
Sergeant Major
Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
. Following his first enlistment, he was commissioned a captain and authorized to raise a company from amongst European immigrants, called the Zouave
Zouave
Zouave was the title given to certain light infantry regiments in the French Army, normally serving in French North Africa between 1831 and 1962. The name was also adopted during the 19th century by units in other armies, especially volunteer regiments raised for service in the American Civil War...
s d'Afrique (African Zouaves).
On September 1, 1862, after they performed well in the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
, Collis was promoted to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and instructed to recruit a regiment, which would become the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry
114th Pennsylvania Infantry
The 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. They were very famous for their colorful americanized zouave dress which consisted of: a dark blue zouave jacket with sky blue cuffs and red trimmings and...
. He commanded the regiment during the Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
, for which he would receive the Medal of Honor. He was later wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
and contracted typhoid fever
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever, also known as Typhoid, is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person, which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi...
, but recovered by August 1863, becoming a brigade commander under major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
David B. Birney
David B. Birney
David Bell Birney was a businessman, lawyer, and a Union General in the American Civil War.-Early life:Birney was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of an abolitionist from Kentucky, James G. Birney. The Birney family returned to Kentucky in 1833, and James Birney freed his slaves...
.
On December 12, 1864, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
nominated Collis for appointment to the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
grade of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of volunteers to rank from October 28, 1864 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on February 14, 1865. Collis was given command of an independent brigade, commanding this unit at Rappahannock
Rappahannock
-Military:*Battle of Rappahannock Station I, a battle in the American Civil War*Battle of Rappahannock Station II, a battle in the American Civil War-Places:*Rappahannock River, a river in eastern Virginia...
and the Siege of Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
. Collis was mustered out of the volunteers on May 29, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
nominated Collis for appointment to the brevet grade of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
of volunteers to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.
Following the war, Collis returned to practicing law, becoming an Assistant City Solicitor in Philadelphia. He also built a cottage on Seminary Ridge
Seminary Ridge
Seminary Ridge is a dendritic ridge which was an area of Battle of Gettysburg engagements during the American Civil War and of military installations during World War II.-Geography:...
, known as "Red Patch". Collis died at Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania on May 11, 1902. He was buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery
Gettysburg National Cemetery
The Gettysburg National Cemetery is located on Cemetery Hill in the Gettysburg Battlefield near the borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and adjacent to Evergreen Cemetery to the south...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Colonel, 114th Pennsylvania Infantry. Place and date: Fredericksburg, Va., 13 December 1862. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Born: 4 February 1838, Ireland. Date of issue: 10 March 1893.Gallantly led his regiment in battle at a critical moment.