Lysander Cutler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lysander Cutler
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Lysander Cutler, photo taken between 1862 and 1864
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| Member of the Maine Senate from the 9th district |
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| In office January 6, 1841 – January 5, 1842 Serving with Solomon Parsons
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| Preceded by | Levi Bradley and Samuel H. Blake |
| Succeeded by | Joel Scott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 16, 1807 Royalston, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 30, 1866 (aged 59) Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Cause of death | Stroke |
| Resting place | Forest Home Cemetery Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
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| Nickname | "Gray Wolf" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States
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| Branch/service |  United States Army
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| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
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| Commands |
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| Battles/wars | American Civil War
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Lysander Cutler (born February 16, 1807, died July 30, 1866) was an American businessman, teacher, and politician. He also became a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Cutler was born in Royalston, Massachusetts. His father was a farmer. Even though his father disagreed, Lysander wanted a better education. He studied surveying and then became a schoolteacher.
When he was 21, he moved to Dexter, Maine. There, he faced a tough challenge. The students had "flogged and ejected" (meaning beaten and kicked out) the last few teachers. Cutler quickly showed he was in charge. On his first day, he disciplined every student who was causing trouble. This helped him earn respect.
Before the Civil War, Cutler had some military experience. He fought against Native Americans as a colonel in the Maine militia in the 1830s. However, most of his time was spent in business. He started several successful businesses. These included a woolen mill, a foundry, a flour mill, and a sawmill. He became very wealthy from these ventures.
Cutler was also active in his community. He served as a selectman (a local government official). He was a director for a railroad and a trustee for Tufts College. In 1841, he became a member of the Maine State Senate.
In 1853, his woolen mill, built in 1843, burned down. This caused him to lose a lot of money. Then, financial problems in 1856 and 1857 ruined him financially. He decided to leave Maine and move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to start over.
In Wisconsin, Cutler worked as an investigator for a mining company. He often traveled into Native American territory. This was dangerous, and he was sometimes threatened. The mining company eventually failed. However, a grain business he started in Milwaukee helped him make a living.
Civil War Service
Joining the Union Army
In the summer of 1861, the Civil War began. Cutler was 54 years old and a respected businessman. He was made a colonel of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry on July 16, 1861. This regiment later became part of the famous Iron Brigade in the Army of the Potomac.
At first, Cutler had some difficulties as a commander. He made his junior officers take exams on military topics. He would remove them if they did not do well. Many soldiers in his regiment were immigrants. Sometimes, he replaced their officers with men from different backgrounds. This sometimes caused anger among the soldiers.
Despite these issues, Cutler was given temporary command of a brigade in the I Corps on March 13, 1862. His soldiers were happy when this temporary role was given to another general, Brig. Gen. John Gibbon, later that summer.
Key Battles and Promotions
Cutler's regiment first saw major action at the Second Battle of Bull Run. Here, he proved to be a very determined fighter. One soldier said he was "rugged as a wolf." During the battle, Cutler was badly wounded in his right thigh. This injury meant he missed the Maryland Campaign and the Battle of Antietam in September 1862.
When General Gibbon was promoted, he suggested Cutler lead the Iron Brigade. However, another colonel, Solomon Meredith, got the job instead. This disappointed Cutler.
During the Battle of Fredericksburg in December, Cutler did get to lead the Iron Brigade for a few hours. This happened because his division commander was unhappy with Colonel Meredith's actions. After this battle, Cutler was promoted to brigadier general on November 29, 1862.
Gettysburg Campaign
In the spring of 1863, Cutler was given command of the 2nd Brigade. This brigade was part of the 1st Division, I Corps. He led them at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May. His unit was not heavily involved in this battle.
At the Battle of Gettysburg, his brigade was heavily engaged. They fought north of the Chambersburg Pike. They faced many attacks from Confederate divisions. Cutler's brigade was split during the battle. Part of it fought south of the Chambersburg Pike. By the time the I Corps line broke, his brigade had lost over half of its soldiers.
During the retreat through Gettysburg town, two of Cutler's horses were shot from under him. For the rest of the three-day battle, Cutler's brigade held defensive positions on Culp's Hill. Because they used the trenches there, they had few additional casualties.
Later Campaigns and Injuries
In the spring of 1864, the Army of the Potomac was reorganized. Cutler was given command of the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, V Corps, on March 25. After Gen. Wadsworth was fatally wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness, Cutler took command of the 4th Division on May 6. He led this division through the rest of the Overland Campaign. This campaign eventually led to the Siege of Petersburg.
At the Battle of Globe Tavern on August 21, 1864, a shell fragment hit Cutler in the face. He was badly disfigured and had to leave field command. He spent the rest of the war as an invalid. He worked administering the draft in Jackson, Michigan. On December 12, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Cutler for a special promotion. He was promoted to brevet major general on February 14, 1865.
After the War
Cutler resigned from the Army on June 30, 1865. His health was getting worse very quickly. He died from a stroke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doctors believed his stroke was caused by complications from his wounds at Globe Tavern. He is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
- Iron Brigade
