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Civil War Soldiers - Fessenden

Fessenden, Francis, major-general, U.S. Army, was born in Portland, Me., March 18, 1839. He was graduated at Bowdoin in 1858, became a lawyer, and at the outbreak of the Civil war was appointed captain in the 19th U. S. infantry, May 14, 1861. He was subsequently on recruiting duty, commanded a company in the Army of the Cumberland from January to April, 1862, and was severely wounded at Shiloh. Becoming colonel of the 25th Maine volunteers, Sept. 29, 1862, he commanded a brigade in the defenses of Washington, and then, from Sept., 1863, to May, 1864, was colonel of the 30th Maine veteran infantry. He was commissioned brigadier- general in the volunteer army, May 10, 1864, accompanied Banks in the Red River expedition, and took part in the battles of Sabine cross-roads, Pleasant Hill and Monett's bluff, distinguishing himself especially for gallantry in the last named engagement, where he led the charge of his brigade and lost a leg. For gallantry at Shiloh and Monett's bluff he was given the brevet ranks of major and lieutenant-colonel U. S. A., July 6, 1864. He was commissioned major-general of volunteers, in Nov., 1865, commanded the 1st infantry division, Department of West Virginia, and was subsequently assigned to the 1st veteran corps. He was a member of the Wirz military commission in the winter of 1865-66, and after that was assistant commander of the bureau of refugees, freedmen and abandoned lands. He was retired with the rank of brigadier-general and brevet major-general in the regular army, at his own request, Nov. 1, 1866, was subsequently mayor of his native city, Portland, and then practised law there.

Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
 

Fessenden, James D., brigadier-general, U.S. Army, was born in Westbrook, Me., Sept. 28, 1833, was graduated at Bowdoin in 1852, and then practised law in Portland until the Civil war broke out. He was commissioned captain of the 2nd U. S. sharpshooters, Nov. 2, 1861, and in 1862-63 served on the staff of Gen. David Hunter and engaged in the operations on the Carolina coast, being present at the attack on Fort McAllister, in the operations on the Edisto, and at Du Pont's attack on Charleston. He organized and commanded the 1st regiment of colored troops in May, 1862, but the government refused to accept such service at that time. In July of that year he was promoted colonel and additional aide-de-camp. He was subsequently transferred to the Army of the Tennessee, in 1863, and served under Hooker in the campaigns of Chattanooga in that year and Atlanta in 1864. He was promoted brigadier- general of volunteers, Aug. 8, 1864, was ordered to report to Gen. Sheridan in the valley of Virginia, and participated in the battle of Cedar creek in October. He was brevetted major-general of volunteers, March 13, 1865, for distinguished service in the war, and served in South Carolina until mustered out, Jan. 15, 1866. Returning then to Maine, he was appointed register of bankruptcy in 1868 and was representative in the state legislature, 1872-74. Gen. Fessenden died in Portland, Me., Nov. 18, 1882.

Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
 


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