Francis Winthrop Palfrey facts for kids

Francis Winthrop Palfrey (born 1831, died 1889) was an American historian and a brave officer in the American Civil War. He wrote important books about history, especially about the Civil War.

Francis Palfrey's Early Life

Francis Palfrey was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents were John Gorham Palfrey and Mary Ann Hammond Palfrey. His father, John G. Palfrey, was a very educated man who went to Harvard University. He served in the government, first in Massachusetts, then as a United States Congressman. He was also the postmaster of Boston.

Francis Palfrey followed in his father's footsteps. He graduated from Harvard University in 1851. Two years later, he finished law school there too. His great-grandfather was William Palfrey.

Francis Palfrey in the Civil War

When the Civil War began, Francis Palfrey joined the military. He started as a first lieutenant in the 4th Battalion of the Massachusetts Militia. Soon after, he became a lieutenant colonel in the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This unit was often called the "Harvard Unit" because many Harvard graduates served in it.

Palfrey served under William Raymond Lee. He also fought alongside other notable figures like Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.. During the fierce Battle of Antietam, Palfrey was badly injured.

After his commander, Lee, left the service in December 1862, Palfrey was promoted. He became the Colonel of his unit. He held this important rank until April 1863. He had to leave the army because of lasting health problems from his injuries.

Years later, in 1866, President Andrew Johnson honored Palfrey. He was given the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general. This special rank recognized his brave and excellent service during the war. The United States Senate confirmed this award.

After the war, Palfrey continued to serve his country in different ways. In 1872, he became a register in bankruptcy. He also became a well-known historian. He wrote several books, including:

• A Memoir of William Francis Bartlett (published in 1879)
• Antietam and Fredericksburg (published in 1882)

This second book was part of a series called "Campaigns of the Civil War." He also wrote for other historical publications.

Other Family Members

Francis Palfrey had a younger brother named John Carver Palfrey. John also served in the Civil War. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Like his brother, John also became a Brevet Brigadier General.

See also

• List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union)
• List of Massachusetts generals in the American Civil War
• Massachusetts in the American Civil War