George F. McFarland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Fisher McFarland
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| Born | April 28, 1834 Dauphin County, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 18, 1891 (aged 57) Tallapoosa, Georgia |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1863 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 151st Pennsylvania Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
George Fisher McFarland (born April 28, 1834 – died December 18, 1891) was an American teacher from Juniata County, Pennsylvania. He also served as an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was a lieutenant colonel in the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry regiment. He bravely led his soldiers in a tough battle during the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George McFarland was born on April 28, 1834, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. When he was fifteen, his family moved to Harrisburg. There, he worked with his father as a boat pilot on the Susquehanna River. Even at sixteen, he started teaching in the Harrisburg area.
In the early 1850s, George went to Freeburg Academy in Snyder County. After he graduated, he became an assistant teacher and then the principal of the school. In 1856, at age twenty-one, he married Adeline "Addie" Griesemer. They had their first child, Clara, in 1857, but she sadly passed away in 1860.
In 1858, the McFarlands bought an academy in McAlisterville. George became its principal. He worked hard to make the school better, adding more subjects and improving the buildings. The academy taught many things, like math, science, music, languages, art, and even physical education. Between 1858 and 1862, the school had between 43 and 70 students. While in McAlisterville, George and Addie had a son, John Horace, in 1859, and a daughter, Emma Viola, in 1862.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War started in April 1861, George first stayed in McAlisterville to continue teaching. But by 1862, it was clear the war would not end quickly. In July, President Abraham Lincoln asked for 300,000 more volunteers to join the Union Army.
George decided to help by recruiting men from Juniata County to fight for the Union. He gathered about forty men and took them to Camp Curtin in Harrisburg. In Harrisburg, George was made a captain. His company joined nine others to form the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry regiment. The other officers then voted him to be the lieutenant colonel of the regiment.
The 151st Pennsylvania Infantry later fought in the Joseph Hooker's Chancellorsville Campaign. They acted as scouts on the right side of the I Corps.
Battle of Gettysburg
Three months later, the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry was at the first day of fighting at Gettysburg. Their colonel was sick, so Lieutenant Colonel McFarland bravely led the regiment. They helped cover the retreat of the Union Army's I Corps through the town of Gettysburg.
On June 30, the regiment camped about six miles southwest of Gettysburg. The next morning, they marched towards the fighting. They arrived northwest of town around 11:00 AM. McFarland and his regiment were placed at the Lutheran Theological Seminary. They were the I Corps' emergency reserve. They helped build small defenses in front of the Seminary.
Around 3:00 PM, General Rowley ordered McFarland to move his regiment forward to Herbst Woods, now called Reynolds' Woods. They were there to help the Iron Brigade. The Iron Brigade had been fighting all morning and was very tired from repeated attacks by Confederate soldiers. As the Iron Brigade pulled back, the 151st held off several enemy attacks along Willoughby Run. They fought hard, causing many casualties to the enemy.
Eventually, the 151st was allowed to fall back. Lieutenant Colonel McFarland gathered his regiment at the Lutheran Theological Seminary. While they were regrouping, a Federal lieutenant approached him with a furled flag. The lieutenant asked if it was his regiment's flag. McFarland was worried his men had lost their flag. But then, a gust of wind opened the flag, showing it belonged to the 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry. Relieved, McFarland pointed out the commander of that regiment and continued organizing his own men.
Once his soldiers were ready, McFarland had them quickly build a barricade around the Seminary building. The 151st, along with a few other regiments, held off many enemy attacks. During this intense fighting, thick smoke from the gunfire filled the air. McFarland bent down to try to see under the smoke to find the enemy. At that moment, a bullet went through his left leg and into his right. A private from Company F helped him up and supported him towards the Seminary for medical help. Another bullet came so close it took a button off McFarland's uniform.
The 151st Pennsylvania was the very last regiment to retreat to Cemetery Ridge. McFarland was treated at the Seminary. His left leg had to be amputated below the knee. Soon after Gettysburg, McFarland and the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry were released from the Union army, as their nine-month service term had ended.
Life After the War
After the war, George McFarland, now disabled, moved his family to Harrisburg. He started a printing company and a plant nursery. He was a father of three children and also managed an orphanage.
One of his children, J. Horace McFarland, started working in his father's printing shop when he was twelve. He later became famous for being one of the first Americans to speak out about protecting the environment and natural beauty.
See also
- 151st Pennsylvania Infantry
