Morgan Henry Chrysler
Encyclopedia
Morgan Henry Chrysler was an American
soldier who served as a Union Army
general during the American Civil War
.
, Columbia County, New York
. He received a normal school education in his native town. He was involved in farming nearly all his life.
. He entered federal service as a private
for a company which later joined the 30th New York Infantry. He was appointed captain of the 30th New York on June 1, 1861. He became major on March 11, 1862; lieutenant colonel on August 30, 1863; and colonel of a regiment of cavalry on December 13, 1863.
Chrysler served in the Peninsula Campaign
, the Second Battle of Bull Run
, the Battle of Antietam
, and the Battle of Chancellorsville
. He and the regiment were mustered out after the battle of Chancellorsville because their term of service was expired. He was instantly granted the authority to reorganize the discharged men into a cavalry regiment. In fifty-five days, he raised the 2nd New York veteran cavalry, which consisted of 1,176 men. He and his regiment were briefly stationed at Washington during the winter of 1863–64, before they were sent to New Orleans, Louisiana
, to join the Department of the Gulf. Chrysler's regiment participated in the Red River Campaign
, and they did their remaining service in the lower South. Chrysler commanded a brigade in Thomas John Lucas's division during the final campaign against Mobile in 1865.
Chrysler was appointed a brevet
major general
on March 13, 1865. He was one of only four men who rose from private to major general during the Civil War.
He became military governor of the District of Northern Alabama
for a short period of time before he was mustered out in 1866.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier who served as a 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...
general 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
Chrysler was born at GhentGhent, New York
Ghent is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States, with a ZIP code of 12075. The population was 5,276 at the 2000 census. 2004 estimates put the population at 5,316.The Town of Ghent is centrally located in the county...
, Columbia County, New York
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
. He received a normal school education in his native town. He was involved in farming nearly all his life.
Civil War service
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Chrysler chose to support the Union causeUnion (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
. He entered federal service as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
for a company which later joined the 30th New York Infantry. He was appointed captain of the 30th New York on June 1, 1861. He became major on March 11, 1862; lieutenant colonel on August 30, 1863; and colonel of a regiment of cavalry on December 13, 1863.
Chrysler served in the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
, the Second Battle of Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
, the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
, and 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...
. He and the regiment were mustered out after the battle of Chancellorsville because their term of service was expired. He was instantly granted the authority to reorganize the discharged men into a cavalry regiment. In fifty-five days, he raised the 2nd New York veteran cavalry, which consisted of 1,176 men. He and his regiment were briefly stationed at Washington during the winter of 1863–64, before they were sent to New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, to join the Department of the Gulf. Chrysler's regiment participated in the Red River Campaign
Red River Campaign
The Red River Campaign or Red River Expedition consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red River in Louisiana during the American Civil War from March 10 to May 22, 1864. The campaign was a Union initiative, fought between approximately 30,000 Union troops under the command of Maj. Gen....
, and they did their remaining service in the lower South. Chrysler commanded a brigade in Thomas John Lucas's division during the final campaign against Mobile in 1865.
Chrysler was appointed a 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...
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...
on March 13, 1865. He was one of only four men who rose from private to major general during the Civil War.
He became military governor of the District of Northern Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
for a short period of time before he was mustered out in 1866.
Postbellum
Following the war, Chrysler led a private life. He died at Kinderhook, New York, and was interred at Valatie, New YorkValatie, New York
Valatie is a village in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 1,819 at the 2010 census.The Village of Valatie is in the center of the Town of Kinderhook on US 9.-Geography:Valatie is located at ....
.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals