Greely Stevenson Curtis was a volunteer officer in the Union Army

Union Army

The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...

 during 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...

.

Early life and education

Greely Stevenson Curtis was born November 21, 1830 at Boston, Massachusetts. His brother was James F. Curtis

James F. Curtis

James Freeman Curtis II , 49er, Vigilante leader in San Francisco, its first Chief of Police, officer in the California militia and Volunteers in the American Civil War.- 49er :...

 who was Colonel of the 4th California Volunteer Infantry Regiment and also was awarded the honorary grade of 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...

 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...

 for faithful and meritorious services during the war.

Civil War service

Curtis was a captain in the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He became lieutenant colonel and commander of the 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry Regiment.

On March 28, 1867, 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....

 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 Curtis for the award of the honorary grade of 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...

 brigadier general, United States Volunteers

United States Volunteers

United States Volunteers also known as U.S. Volunteers, U. S. Vol., or U.S.V.Starting as early as 1861 these regiments were often referred to as the "volunteer army" of the United States but not officially named that until 1898.During the nineteenth century this was the United States federal...

, to rank from March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during the war, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 30, 1867.

Post-war life

After the war, Curtis was a civil engineer, architect and fire commissioner of Boston between 1876 and 1878. Greely S. Curtis died February 12, 1897 at Boston, Massachusetts. He is buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

See also

• List of Massachusetts generals in the American Civil War
• Massachusetts in the American Civil War

External links