Henry L. Eustis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry L. Eustis
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Henry Lawrence Eustis
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| Born | February 1, 1819 near Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | January 11, 1885 (aged 65) Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Place of burial |
Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1842–1849, 1862–1864 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 10th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Bvt. Brig. Gen. Abraham Eustis (father) |
| Other work | College professor and dean, writer |
Henry Lawrence Eustis was born on February 1, 1819, and passed away on January 11, 1885. He was a talented civil engineer and a college professor. During the American Civil War, he also served as a general in the Union Army.
Contents
Henry Eustis's Early Life and Education
Henry Eustis was born near Boston, Massachusetts, at a place called Fort Independence. His father, Abraham Eustis, was an army officer stationed there. Henry went to Harvard University and graduated in 1838.
After Harvard, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He was a brilliant student and graduated first in his class in 1842.
Engineering Work and Teaching
After West Point, Eustis worked on engineering projects. One of his jobs was improving Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. This fort was still being built at the time.
From 1847 to 1849, Eustis taught engineering at West Point. He then left the army on November 30, 1849. He became a professor at Harvard, teaching engineering there.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Henry Eustis decided to join the Union Army. He joined a group of volunteer soldiers from Massachusetts. On August 21, 1862, he became the colonel of the 10th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This group of soldiers had already been serving since June 1861.
Joining the Army of the Potomac
Eustis and his regiment joined the Army of the Potomac. This was a major Union army. They were part of a large group of soldiers called a division, led by Brig. Gen. Darius Couch. This division was part of the IV Corps.
Eustis's division was involved in the Maryland Campaign. However, they were not present at the big Battle of Antietam.
Key Battles and Promotions
After the Battle of Antietam, Eustis's division became part of the VI Corps. It was led by Brig. Gen. John Newton. Eustis fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg. He was part of a smaller group called a brigade, led by Brig. Gen. Charles Devens.
Later, Eustis served under Colonel William H. Browne during the Chancellorsville campaign. When Colonel Browne was hurt at the Battle of Salem Church, Eustis took command of the brigade.
He led this brigade at the famous Battle of Gettysburg. His units were kept in reserve during this battle. On September 12, 1863, Henry Eustis was promoted to brigadier general. He continued to serve in the autumn battles of 1863.
Later Campaigns and Resignation
In 1864, the Army of the Potomac was reorganized before Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. Eustis's brigade moved to a new division within the VI Corps. This division was led by Brig. Gen. George Getty.
Eustis commanded his brigade in the Battle of the Wilderness. After Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania, Brig. Gen. Horatio Wright became the new corps commander. Eustis then took command of another brigade. He led this brigade at Spotsylvania and other battles, including the Battle of Cold Harbor.
Henry Eustis resigned from the army on June 27, 1864. He left for health reasons.
Life After the War
After the war, Eustis went back to teaching at Harvard. He wrote several technical articles about engineering. In 1878, he also wrote a book about his family's history.
He became the dean of the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard. This school later became the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He was still serving as dean when he passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on January 11, 1885.
General Eustis was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.
See also
