Civil War Union Brigadier General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.
Born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was scheduled to attend West Point, but instead he enlisted as a Quartermaster in the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He refused an appointment to 1st Lieutenant in his company and was made a non-commissioned staff officer. In August 1861, he was promoted to Captain of Company A, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, then a Major a month later.
He remained with the 97th for many years, was well respected and liked by his men, and, after seeing much action and combat, was promoted Colonel in command of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.
During the Second Battle of Fort Fisher at Wilmington, North Carolina, on January 15, 1865, Colonel Pennypacker was severely wounded while crossing enemy lines. In spite of his wounds, he continued to lead his men in a charge over a defensive barrier. They captured the fort and planted the colors of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in the Confederate compound.
For gallantly in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. After convalescing, he was promoted Brigadier General at age 20, making him the youngest officer to hold the rank of General in the United States Army to this day. For his war service, he was brevetted Major General United States Army on March 13, 1865.
Remaining in the Army after the Civil War, he commanded the 16th United States Infantry until his retirement in July 1883. He died at age 72 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was scheduled to attend West Point, but instead he enlisted as a Quartermaster in the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He refused an appointment to 1st Lieutenant in his company and was made a non-commissioned staff officer. In August 1861, he was promoted to Captain of Company A, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, then a Major a month later.
He remained with the 97th for many years, was well respected and liked by his men, and, after seeing much action and combat, was promoted Colonel in command of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.
During the Second Battle of Fort Fisher at Wilmington, North Carolina, on January 15, 1865, Colonel Pennypacker was severely wounded while crossing enemy lines. In spite of his wounds, he continued to lead his men in a charge over a defensive barrier. They captured the fort and planted the colors of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in the Confederate compound.
For gallantly in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. After convalescing, he was promoted Brigadier General at age 20, making him the youngest officer to hold the rank of General in the United States Army to this day. For his war service, he was brevetted Major General United States Army on March 13, 1865.
Remaining in the Army after the Civil War, he commanded the 16th United States Infantry until his retirement in July 1883. He died at age 72 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Civil War Union Brigadier General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.
Born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was scheduled to attend West Point, but instead he enlisted as a Quartermaster in the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He refused an appointment to 1st Lieutenant in his company and was made a non-commissioned staff officer. In August 1861, he was promoted to Captain of Company A, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, then a Major a month later.
He remained with the 97th for many years, was well respected and liked by his men, and, after seeing much action and combat, was promoted Colonel in command of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.
During the Second Battle of Fort Fisher at Wilmington, North Carolina, on January 15, 1865, Colonel Pennypacker was severely wounded while crossing enemy lines. In spite of his wounds, he continued to lead his men in a charge over a defensive barrier. They captured the fort and planted the colors of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in the Confederate compound.
For gallantly in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. After convalescing, he was promoted Brigadier General at age 20, making him the youngest officer to hold the rank of General in the United States Army to this day. For his war service, he was brevetted Major General United States Army on March 13, 1865.
Remaining in the Army after the Civil War, he commanded the 16th United States Infantry until his retirement in July 1883. He died at age 72 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was scheduled to attend West Point, but instead he enlisted as a Quartermaster in the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He refused an appointment to 1st Lieutenant in his company and was made a non-commissioned staff officer. In August 1861, he was promoted to Captain of Company A, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, then a Major a month later.
He remained with the 97th for many years, was well respected and liked by his men, and, after seeing much action and combat, was promoted Colonel in command of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.
During the Second Battle of Fort Fisher at Wilmington, North Carolina, on January 15, 1865, Colonel Pennypacker was severely wounded while crossing enemy lines. In spite of his wounds, he continued to lead his men in a charge over a defensive barrier. They captured the fort and planted the colors of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in the Confederate compound.
For gallantly in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. After convalescing, he was promoted Brigadier General at age 20, making him the youngest officer to hold the rank of General in the United States Army to this day. For his war service, he was brevetted Major General United States Army on March 13, 1865.
Remaining in the Army after the Civil War, he commanded the 16th United States Infantry until his retirement in July 1883. He died at age 72 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
MEDAL OF HONOR
MAJ. GEN.
U.S.A.
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