Daniel Leasure facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Leasure
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|---|---|
| Born | March 18, 1819 Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania |
| Died | October 10, 1886 (aged 67) St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861–64 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 100th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | Physician, politician, trustee of Greersburg Academy |
Daniel Leasure (born March 18, 1819 – died October 10, 1886) was an American soldier and doctor. He became a high-ranking officer, a colonel, in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He also commanded a group of soldiers called a brigade.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Daniel Leasure was born in 1819 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. This area is close to the city of Pittsburgh. From 1838 to 1840, he studied at Greersburg Academy in Darlington. After his time at the academy, he went to medical school in Pittsburgh.
Serving in the Civil War
Daniel Leasure played an important role in the American Civil War. He was a colonel in the IX Corps, a large group of Union soldiers.
The "Roundheads" Regiment
Leasure led the 100th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment. This group of soldiers was nicknamed the "Roundheads." They got this name because many of them were descendants of followers of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was a famous English leader from hundreds of years ago.
First Battles and Injuries
The "Roundheads" first saw action in South Carolina. This was at the Battle of Secessionville on June 16, 1862. Later, Leasure's regiment moved to Virginia. There, they fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run. Leasure was wounded during this battle. Because of his injury, he missed the next major campaign in Maryland.
Key Battles and Commands
Leasure returned to lead his troops at the Battle of Fredericksburg. During this fight, he took command of the 3rd Brigade. This brigade was part of the 1st Division in the IX Corps.
Later, the IX Corps moved to the Western Theater of the war. Leasure continued to command his brigade. He served under Maj. Gen. John Parke during the Siege of Vicksburg. He also fought in the Battle of Blue Springs.
Returning to Virginia
Leasure then returned to commanding the 100th Pennsylvania. He took part in the Siege of Knoxville. After that, he went back to Virginia. Here, he commanded the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division in the IX Corps. He led them in the Battle of the Wilderness. He also fought in the Battle of Spotsylvania.
During the fighting at Spotsylvania, his division commander was killed. Leasure was the highest-ranking officer left. He took command of the division for three days. He was then replaced by Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden. Leasure went back to leading the 2nd Brigade. A few days later, he was wounded again. This injury meant he could no longer lead troops in battle.
Leasure left the army on August 30, 1864. In 1865, he received the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general. This was a special recognition for his service.
Life After the War
After the Civil War ended, Daniel Leasure went back to Pennsylvania. He worked as a doctor in the town of Darlington. He also became a trustee for Greersburg Academy. This was the same school he attended almost 30 years earlier.
Leasure later served in the Pennsylvania state legislature. This meant he helped make laws for the state. After that, he moved to New Castle, Pennsylvania. In 1878, Leasure moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. He passed away there eight years later, on October 10, 1886. His body was brought back to Pennsylvania and buried in New Castle.
Remembering Daniel Leasure
A year after Leasure's death, the town of Darlington built a monument to honor him. This monument was placed across from the Greersburg Academy. It was a place where Leasure had spent a lot of time learning and later helping. Other famous people from the Civil War also attended this academy. These included abolitionist John Brown and John W. Geary.
