At the start of the Civil War, George N. Macy was employed at the banking firm of Warren and Osborn, Boston. He enlisted in the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in command of Company I. On October 21, 1861, surrounded by Confederates at the Battle of Ball's Bluff, Virginia, rather then to surrender, he swam the Potomac River to find boats to rescue survivors. He gained the admiration of the regiment and was promoted Captain. In December 1862, he with his regiment was part of General Ambrose Burnside's army who ordered the assault on the town of Fredericksburg. Crossing the Rappahannock River in small boats, he led his men through the streets in a series of charges that helped secure the town. At Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, when Colonel Paul J. Revere, was killed, Macy assumed command of the regiment. Facing Pickett's Charge, he led the 20th Massachusetts in the front line of General Winfield S. Hancock's men on Cemetery Ridge and stopped Pickett's Charge. A minié ball shattered his left hand, the arm was amputated and after recovery in Boston, he was fitted with an artificial arm. Despite his disability, he returned to action. Colonel Macy commanded the 20th Massachusetts in the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5-6, 1864. On the second day of the battle, Macy was ordered to lead a charge of his regiment to allow other regiments to fall back. Charging up the Orange Plank Road, he was shot in both legs, but survived. He returned to duty in Virginia in August 1864. At the Battle of Second Deep Bottom on August 14, 1864, he commanded a brigade in the 2nd Corps and led his men on horseback when his horse was shot and fell upon him. He arose and pushed forward with his men until he fell on the field. For his distinguished conduct at the Wilderness and Deep Bottom, he was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General, US Volunteers and later was promoted to Brevet Major General, US Volunteers by General Ulysses S. Grant. Macy commanded the Provost Marshal Brigade in the Army of the Potomac during the final months of the war. At the Grand Review held May 23-24, 1865, Macy led the parade in front of President Andrew Johnson, General Grant, General Meade, and other officials. After the war, he returned to Boston, where he became an officer of the Suffolk Savings Bank. Known to carry a Derringer pistol in his vest pocket returning home, he suffered a dizzy spell, fell and the pistol fired sending a ball through his heart. His family is the same that started Macy's Department Stores.