Henry Livermore Abbott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Livermore Abbott
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| Born | January 21, 1842 Lowell, Massachusetts |
| Died | May 6, 1864 (aged 22) The Wilderness, Virginia |
| Place of burial |
Lowell Cemetery
Lowell, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank |  Major Bvt. Brigadier General (posthumous) |
| Commands held | 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Josiah Gardner Abbott (father) |
Henry Livermore Abbott (January 21, 1842 – May 6, 1864) was a brave Major in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was known for his strong leadership and courage. Abbott was honored after his death with the rank of brevet brigadier general. This award was for his excellent service at the Battle of the Wilderness, where he was killed in action. Henry Abbott was a key figure in several important Civil War battles. He was admired for his calm behavior even when under fire.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
Henry Livermore Abbott was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on January 21, 1842. He was one of eleven children. His father, Josiah Gardner Abbott, was a successful lawyer and judge. His mother, Caroline, was the daughter of a U.S. Congressman. Both of Henry's parents came from families with a history of military service. Their ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Henry was very smart and started Harvard University at just 14 years old in 1856. He found Harvard's strict rules a bit annoying. Even so, he graduated in 1860. He was studying law when the Civil War began.
Deciding to Serve in the Union Army
When the Civil War started, Henry's father tried to get him a captain's job. Henry turned it down. In May 1861, he joined the Fourth Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Many of his friends joined too, including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.. Later, Henry joined the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment on July 10, 1861. This regiment became known as the "Harvard Regiment" because many officers were Harvard graduates.
Henry was at first unsure about joining the army. He wrote to his father that he felt more like a writer than a soldier. But he knew he would be ashamed if he did nothing during this important time. Many soldiers in his company were sailors and fishermen from Nantucket.
Serving in the American Civil War
Early Battles: Ball's Bluff and the Peninsula Campaign
On October 21, 1861, Abbott's 20th Massachusetts Regiment was ordered to cross the Potomac River. This led to the Battle of Ball's Bluff in Virginia. It was a small battle but had big consequences. The Union forces were badly organized and suffered a major defeat. Many soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured.
The 20th Massachusetts Regiment lost many men. They had to fight while climbing steep hills and facing hidden Confederate soldiers. Abbott bravely told his men to fight lying down. But he stood up to direct them. Despite his efforts, the Union line broke. Many men tried to swim the Potomac River and drowned. Abbott helped lead survivors to safety. The regiment lost 87 killed or wounded and 111 prisoners.
Abbott was promoted to first lieutenant on November 8, 1861. After this, his regiment rebuilt its strength. They then took part in the Peninsula Campaign. They fought at the Battle of Fair Oaks in Virginia. The regiment lost 28 men there. Later, the 20th Massachusetts helped cover the Union retreat during the Seven Days Battles. On June 30, 1862, Abbott was wounded in his right arm at the Battle of Glendale. He refused to leave until after the Battle of Malvern Hill the next day. His older brother, Ned, was killed in action on August 9, 1862.
Fredericksburg and the Mud March
On September 2, 1862, Abbott's regiment covered the retreat after the Second Battle of Bull Run. Abbott was not fully recovered from his wound. He also missed the Battle of Antietam because he was sick with typhoid fever and sad about his brother's death. The 20th Massachusetts also suffered heavy losses at Antietam. Abbott recovered by November 1862 and returned to his regiment.
Abbott bravely led his men at the Battle of Fredericksburg. He was acting major of the regiment. In street fighting before the main battle, Abbott and his men fought fiercely. They drove Confederate forces away from the river. This allowed Union engineers to build pontoon bridges for a crossing. Thirty of the 60 men Abbott led were killed or wounded.
The next day, Abbott's regiment took part in the terrible Union attack on Marye's Heights. Waves of Union attackers were cut down by Confederate fire. Abbott survived without injury, though a bullet hit his sword holder. The 20th Massachusetts lost 168 men and 8 officers in this battle.
After the famous "Mud March" in January 1863, Major General Joseph Hooker took command of the Army of the Potomac. In late March, Henry's 9-year-old brother, Arthur, died. Henry returned to his regiment after two weeks at home. On May 3, 1863, Abbott fought in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg. This was part of the Chancellorsville Campaign. The 20th Massachusetts Regiment suffered only 2 dead and 13 wounded. One of the wounded was Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Gettysburg and Pickett's Charge
On June 5, 1863, Union forces began to follow Confederate General Robert E. Lee north. The 20th Massachusetts Regiment arrived at Cemetery Ridge in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 2, 1863. This was the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The regiment came under shelling that evening. Eleven officers or men were killed or badly wounded, including their colonel.
The 20th Massachusetts was moved to the center of the Union line. On July 3, 1863, they faced Pickett's Charge. This was a massive Confederate attack. Abbott was one of only three officers in his regiment who were not wounded during this charge. He took command of the regiment when his superiors were hurt. The 20th Massachusetts waited until the Confederates were very close. Then they fired deadly shots that stopped the attack. The Massachusetts soldiers shouted "Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg!" They felt they had gotten revenge for their earlier defeat. Over half of the regiment's men and 10 of 13 officers were killed or wounded.
After the battle, Abbott remained in command. He was promoted to Major on October 10, 1863. Four days later, the 20th Massachusetts fought at Bristoe Station, Virginia. Union forces were surprised, but Abbott's regiment took few casualties. They fought from behind a steep railroad track. In December 1863, Abbott took a 15-day leave to visit home. He returned to his regiment in January 1864.
Death at the Wilderness
On May 4, 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant began his push south into Virginia. This was known as the Overland Campaign. At the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864, Major Henry Abbott was shot in the stomach. He was encouraging his men from a standing position, even though he had told them to lie down. Henry Livermore Abbott was mortally wounded and died at a field hospital that same day.
Honors and Legacy
News of Henry Livermore Abbott's death brought sadness to the highest levels of command. His friend, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., later said that Abbott's death "seemed to end a portion of our life also."
On December 12, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Major Abbott for the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general. This was confirmed on February 20, 1865. Later, on February 15, 1867, President Andrew Johnson nominated Abbott for more honorary ranks. These included brevet lieutenant colonel, brevet colonel, and brevet brigadier general in the United States Army. These awards were confirmed on March 2, 1867.
Abbott was known as one of the most admired officers of his rank in the Army of the Potomac. Major General John Sedgwick called Abbott "a wonderfully good soldier." Major General Winfield Scott Hancock said Abbott's reputation was "built upon a solid foundation." Abbott wrote many letters to his family. These letters give a great record of the battles he fought and the people he met.
Henry Livermore Abbott's good friend, future United States Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., greatly admired him. Holmes praised Abbott's courage and calm nature. He admired Abbott's determination to do his duty, even though he had doubts about some Union war goals. Holmes considered Abbott an ideal soldier. In a famous 1884 Memorial Day speech, Holmes said that Abbott was "sublime" in action.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
- List of Massachusetts generals in the American Civil War
- Massachusetts in the American Civil War
