George Leonard Andrews facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Leonard Andrews
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George Leonard Andrews
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| Born | August 31, 1828 Bridgewater, Massachusetts |
| Died | April 4, 1899 (aged 70) Brookline, Massachusetts |
| Place of burial |
Mount Auburn Cemetery;
Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1851–1855 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | United States Marshal, Professor of French & Modern Languages at the United States Military Academy |
George Leonard Andrews (born August 31, 1828 – died April 4, 1899) was an American professor, engineer, and soldier. He became a Brigadier General in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He also earned the special honorary rank of brevet Major General.
During the Civil War, Andrews held many important leadership roles. He first led the 2nd Massachusetts, a group of soldiers who fought bravely. They saw tough battles like Cedar Mountain and Antietam. Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks guided Andrews. Later, Andrews joined Banks's team and led several groups in the Army Department of the Gulf.
After the war, Andrews had different jobs. He worked as a United States Marshal. He then returned to the United States Military Academy at West Point. There, he worked as a professor until he retired.
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Early Life and Career
George Andrews was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His parents were Manasseh and Harriet Leonard Andrews. In 1851, Andrews graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
After graduating, he joined the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He was given the rank of brevet second lieutenant. From 1851 to 1854, he helped Lt. Col. Sylvanus Thayer. Thayer was in charge of building Fort Warren in Boston harbor.
From 1854 to 1855, Andrews was an assistant professor of engineering at West Point. After that, he left the army. He worked as a civil engineer until the Civil War began.
Civil War Service
Leading the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment
When the Civil War started, Andrews helped organize the 2nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed its lieutenant colonel. In July 1861, the 2nd Massachusetts joined the Army Department of the Shenandoah. Major General Nathaniel Banks commanded this group. During 1861, they took part in small operations near Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
In the spring of 1862, Banks's forces faced Thomas Jackson's Confederate forces. This led to a series of battles known as Jackson's Valley Campaign. In May 1862, Andrews became the commander of the 2nd Massachusetts. He led the regiment during the First Battle of Winchester. On June 13, 1862, Andrews was promoted to colonel.
Andrews commanded the 2nd Massachusetts until October 2, 1862. During this time, he led the regiment in two more big battles. On August 9, 1862, Banks's forces fought Jackson again. They were defeated in the Battle of Cedar Mountain. In early September, Banks was sent to defend Washington. His forces were reorganized and became the XII Corps. This corps was part of the Army of the Potomac.
The 2nd Massachusetts took part in the Maryland Campaign. During this campaign, Andrews led them in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. The regiment attacked the Confederate position through the famous Cornfield. They suffered many losses but managed to retreat in an orderly way.
In October 1862, Andrews was given command of a larger group called a brigade. He briefly led the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division of the XII Corps. Then he led the 4th Brigade of the same division. This happened while the Army of the Potomac was getting ready after the Maryland Campaign.
New Orleans Expedition
On October 26, 1862, Andrews was assigned to Major General Banks's trip to New Orleans. He was promoted to brigadier general on November 9, 1862. Andrews was a key member of Banks's team. He spent the winter of 1862–1863 in New York City. He played a big part in organizing and planning the expedition.
Banks replaced Major General Benjamin Butler as commander of the Department of the Gulf. He planned to move north from New Orleans with a large force. The goal was to help take control of the Mississippi River.
Andrews arrived in New Orleans with the last group of new troops on February 11, 1863. He was briefly put in charge of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XIX Corps. Less than a month later, in March 1863, Andrews became chief of staff for Major General Banks. In this role, Andrews helped organize the Siege of Port Hudson. This was a difficult operation with several attacks by ships and soldiers.
Confederate forces in Port Hudson were the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. They finally surrendered on July 9, 1863. This happened after they heard about the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Andrews personally accepted the sword of the Confederate commander of Port Hudson. He then returned it to him as a sign of respect for their bravery.
Commanding the District of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson
The day after Port Hudson fell, Andrews was given a new task. He was to organize the African-American troops in the Army of the Gulf. These troops formed the Corps d'Afrique. Andrews was also put in charge of the Army District of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson. He kept command of this district and the Corps d'Afrique until February 1865. To recruit African-Americans, Andrews sent soldiers to plantations. They enlisted freed slaves throughout his district.
On February 27, Andrews was relieved from command of the District of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson. He reported to New Orleans. There, he was appointed provost marshal general for the Department of the Gulf. He served as an aide to Major General Edward Canby during the Siege of Mobile Campaign. This campaign forced the surrender of the last Confederate stronghold on the Gulf coast. Canby praised Andrews for his service during this campaign.
After the Confederacy surrendered in April 1865, Andrews spent part of the summer as Major General Canby's chief of staff. He then resigned his commission on August 24, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Andrews for the honorary rank of brevet major general. This rank was effective from March 26, 1865. The United States Senate confirmed this award on March 12, 1866.
After the War
After the Civil War, Andrews spent two years as a planter in Mississippi. He then moved back to Massachusetts. He worked as a United States marshal from 1867 to 1871.
He became a professor of French at West Point from 1871 to 1882. From 1882 until his retirement in 1892, he taught modern languages.
Fort Andrews, a military fort on Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor, was named after him. It was built in 1897. This fort held the largest number of soldiers of any fort in Boston Harbor in the early 1900s. It was abandoned by the U.S. Army in 1946 and is now in ruins.
