John P. Van Leer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John P. Van Leer
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| Birth name | John Pugh Van Leer |
| Born | February 27, 1825 Camden, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | May 5, 1862 (aged 37) Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried |
Mount Vernon Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1860-1862 |
| Rank |  Colonel Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commands held | 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John Pugh Van Leer (February 27, 1825 – May 5, 1862) was an American military officer who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He commanded the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry regiment and was killed during the Battle of Williamsburg. His ancestors in the Van Leer family were some the earliest settlers of the Pennsylvania Colony.
Early life
Van Leer was born in Camden, New Jersey. His great-grandfather Bernardhus Van Leer was a German immigrant to the Pennsylvania Colony and one of William Penn's earliest investors. John's grandfather Isaac Van Leer fought in the American Revolutionary War along with his brother Samuel Van Leer. The Van Leer family was well known in the iron business and active in the anti-slavery cause. Several historical locations in Pennsylvania are associated with the Van Leer family including the Van Leer Cabin and the Van Leer Pleasant Hill Plantation.
Civil War
At the outbreak of the Civil War Van Leer joined the Union Army at Gloucester City, New Jersey with his family, and was commissioned as a Captain, promoted to Major and Lieutenant colonel of the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in 1861. He served under Brigadier General Francis E. Patterson and Joseph Hooker. Van Leer's regiment was the first fully equipped brigade to arrive in Washington, D.C. just before the First Battle of Bull Run. After his regiment built Fort Runyon, Van Leer lead 10 companies during Hooker's Virginia campaigns. He was killed during the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862 and interred at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia. Before being killed in battle, his commission as a Colonel was on its way to him. His colonelcy would later be officially honored after his death.
Legacy
The Van Leer Post, No. 36 of the Grand Army of the Republic in Gloucester City, New Jersey, was named in his honor.
Van Leer built and leased houses for free black tradesmen and to people who were supportive of the free black community in Lima, Pennsylvania at a location now known as Van Leer Avenue.
