Major General John Frederic Hartranft - Harrisburg, PA - U.S. Civil War General Statues on Waymarking.com

John Frederic Hartranft led an adventurous life. Born in Montgomery County, he would earn a degree in Civil Engineering and work for two railroads before the outbreak of the Civil War.

After the war broke out, he commanded a regiment of local volunteers. When their 90-day warrant was up, they elected to return home. Hartranft remained with the Union Army, and was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Bull Run on 21 July, 1861.

from Wikipedia:

Hartranft raised a three-year regiment, the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry, and became its colonel. They first served on the North Carolina coast in the Burnside Expedition. Hartranft led them in battle at Roanoke Island and New Bern. In July 1862, Hartranft's men proceeded to Newport News, Virginia, to become part of Burnside's IX Corps, with whom they fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run and at South Mountain. They also fought at the Battle of Antietam, where Hartranft led the famous charge across Burnside's Bridge, suffering 120 casualties. They also participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg. The 51st Pennsylvania was transferred to the Western Theater, where Hartranft saw action at the battles of Vicksburg, Campbell's Station, and Knoxville; in the latter two actions, he served as commander of the 2nd Division of the IX Corps while still a colonel.

He commanded the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, of the IX Corps in the 1864 Overland Campaign, participating in the fighting at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. He was promoted to brigadier general as of May 12, 1864. He continued in operations against Richmond and Petersburg. His brigade distinguished itself in the Battle of Peebles' Farm.

When the IX Corps was reorganized, Hartranft was given command of a new 3rd Division, consisting of newly raised Pennsylvania regiments. Hartranft was brevetted major general by Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant for defeating Confederate General Robert E. Lee's last offensive at the Battle of Fort Stedman. He brought his untested division from its reserve position and counterattacked to recover the captured fort."
He eventually rose to the rank of Major General, and held several key appointments. However it was his actions after the assassination of President Lincoln where he is best remembered. He was the General Officer who delivered the death sentences to the conspirators of the assassination.

After leaving the Army, he ventured into politics, becoming Governor of PA in 1872 and serving two terms. After, he was appointed US Postmaster General.

In 1886 he was presented the Medal of Honor for his actions at Bull Run. He died in 1889, aged 58.

Union or Confederacy: Union - North General's Name: John Frederic Hartranft

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