Joseph W. Fisher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joseph W. Fisher
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 17th district
In office 1848–1849

Joseph Washington Fisher (born October 16, 1814 – died October 18, 1900) was an important American figure. He was a lawyer, a politician, and a judge from Pennsylvania. During the American Civil War, he served as a colonel in the Pennsylvania Reserves. His unit fought in many major battles with the Army of the Potomac. After the war, he continued his public service. He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1848 to 1849. Later, he joined the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1867 to 1868. He even became the chief judge in the Wyoming Territory from 1871 to 1879.

Joseph Fisher's Early Life

Joseph W. Fisher was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. He went to local schools and studied hard. Later, he decided to become a lawyer. He passed his bar exam, which meant he could practice law. Joseph started a successful law business in the Northumberland County area. He also began his political career early. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1848 to 1849.

Fighting in the Civil War

When the Civil War began, Joseph Fisher joined the army. He became a lieutenant colonel in the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves. On July 1, 1862, he was promoted to colonel. This happened after the previous colonel was killed in battle.

Colonel Fisher led the 5th Reserves in major battles. These included the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. His unit was part of the Reserves Division. This division was led by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade. At Fredericksburg, Fisher took command of the 3rd Brigade. This was after his general was killed during a tough attack.

The Reserves were later taken out of the fighting. They needed time to rest and recover from their hard service. Fisher then commanded a brigade in the XXII Corps. This unit was part of the Department of Washington.

In 1863, two brigades of the Reserves returned to the battlefield. Colonels Fisher and William McCandless led these units. They fought at the famous Battle of Gettysburg. Their units were on the left side of the army. There was some discussion about Fisher's actions at Gettysburg. Another colonel, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, said his unit had to lead the way up Big Round Top. He claimed Fisher's unit was hesitant. However, Fisher's own report does not mention any hesitation. He said Chamberlain's unit led because they had better weapons for a skirmish line.

Fisher continued to command his brigade into 1864. He fought in the tough Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. His last battle as a brigade commander was the Battle of Cold Harbor. Fisher left the army with his regiment on June 15, 1864. He later served as colonel of the 195th Pennsylvania Infantry. He left that regiment on January 31, 1866. He received a special military honor called a Brevet promotion. This made him a brigadier general on November 4, 1865.

Life After the Civil War

After the war ended, Joseph Fisher went back to being a lawyer. He also continued his work in politics. He was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate. He served for the 17th district from 1867 to 1868.

Later, he moved to the Wyoming Territory. There, he became the chief justice of the territorial courts. He held this important position from 1871 to 1879.

Joseph W. Fisher passed away in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on October 18, 1900. He was buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne.