Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He served in the Civil War as an officer in the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. While Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, he led it at Fox's Gap at the Battle of South Mountain, and in the assault on Burnside's Bridge at the September 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam. Promoted to Colonel, he continued to lead the unit when it was transferred to the Western Theatre, and fought with it at Vicksburg and Knoxville. The 45th Pennsylvania returned to Virginia in the Spring of 1864, and Colonel Curtin commanded it in the Battle of Spotsylvania. During the Wilderness Campaign he assumed command of his brigade (1st Brigade, 2nd Division, IX Army Corps). He led the brigade at the Battle of Cold Harbor and in the initial assaults on Petersburg, Virginia, where he was severely wounded while leading his command in a charge. He returned to command his brigade for good in September 1864, and led it until the Confederate surrender at Appomattox in April 1865. He had been brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on October 12, 1864 for "meritorious and distinguished services during the war". His brevet promotion was recommended by his division commander Major General Robert B. Potter, Army of the Potomac commander Major General George G. Meade, and Union Army commander Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, all of whom knew that they would lose him as a brigade commander if he did not get a promotion, due to the pending return of his brigade's inexperienced senior Colonel. His uncle was Civil War Pennsylvania Governor Andrew G. Curtin.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He served in the Civil War as an officer in the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. While Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, he led it at Fox's Gap at the Battle of South Mountain, and in the assault on Burnside's Bridge at the September 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam. Promoted to Colonel, he continued to lead the unit when it was transferred to the Western Theatre, and fought with it at Vicksburg and Knoxville. The 45th Pennsylvania returned to Virginia in the Spring of 1864, and Colonel Curtin commanded it in the Battle of Spotsylvania. During the Wilderness Campaign he assumed command of his brigade (1st Brigade, 2nd Division, IX Army Corps). He led the brigade at the Battle of Cold Harbor and in the initial assaults on Petersburg, Virginia, where he was severely wounded while leading his command in a charge. He returned to command his brigade for good in September 1864, and led it until the Confederate surrender at Appomattox in April 1865. He had been brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on October 12, 1864 for "meritorious and distinguished services during the war". His brevet promotion was recommended by his division commander Major General Robert B. Potter, Army of the Potomac commander Major General George G. Meade, and Union Army commander Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, all of whom knew that they would lose him as a brigade commander if he did not get a promotion, due to the pending return of his brigade's inexperienced senior Colonel. His uncle was Civil War Pennsylvania Governor Andrew G. Curtin.
Bio by: RPD2
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1861-1864--* Civil War
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