#1st manassas

[almackey]

From 2nd Manassas to Gettysburg: The True Story of a Texas Brigade Officer and a Union Artillerist

Here’s Wayne Motts with an outstanding presentation of a true and yet amazing story from the Civil War. The video’s description reads, “Join historian, author, and battlefield guide Wayne Motts as he explores the true and unique story of Benjamin F. Carter of the 4th Texas Infantry and Captain Mark Kerns of Battery G, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery and how these two men, fighting on opposite…

[770treeguy1]

A Guide To Keep Your Yard Looking Beautiful

https://770treeguy.com/- Regular Pruning & Trimming is essential for the health of trees, bushes, and shrubs- not to mention it keeps your yard looking fabulous. Let’s learn about some basic terms and techniques to get started. Call us at 866-877-4345 today for more details.

Contact Us: 770 Tree Guy

Peachtree City: 313 Dividend Dr Unit 105, Peachtree City, GA 30269 Phone: (770) 809-6775

Fayetteville: 238 1st Manassas Mile Fayetteville, GA 30215 Phone: (770) 629-8715

Newnan: 15 Perry St Suite 105, Newnan, GA 30263 Phone: (770) 766-9254

[revoltedstates]

Then-Capt. Thomas Francis Meagher (seated), with his “Irish Zouaves,” Co. K, 69th New York State Militia in Virginia in 1861. Source.

[pattern-53-enfield]

“First At Manassas”, by Don Troiani

Jeb Stuart and his 1st Virginia Cavalry crash into the 11th New York Fire Zouaves after initially mistaking them for red-shirted Floridian units in the chaos of battle. Acting as rear-guard, the notoriously rowdy New York firemen fended off Stuart’s cavalry and went on the distinguish themselves trying to retake Henry Hill and recovering the Irish 69th’s fallen colors.

[quicksiluers]

John Fulton Reynolds was born on September 20, 1820, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was one of eleven children. In 1837, he was nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point by future President James Buchanan, a friend of Reynolds’s father. Reynolds graduated in 1841, finishing 26th in a class of 50. His classmates included future Civil War generals Horatio Wright, Richard Garnett, Don Carolos Buell, Israel Richardson, and Nathaniel Lyon.

After his graduation, Reynolds was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the 3rd United States Artillery, stationed at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. Over the next four years he would also serve at Fort Pickens and Fort Marion in Florida and at Fort Moultrie in Charleston, South Carolina. During the Mexican War, Reynolds, by then a 1st lieutenant, served under General Zachary Taylor. He was brevetted twice for gallantry. At the Battle of Buena Vista, his artillery stopped a flanking attack by enemy cavalry, forcing the Mexican army to withdraw.

After the Mexican War, Reynolds served at various posts, including Fort Preble in Maine, Fort Lafayette in New York, and Fort Ortford in Oregon. During this period, he became engaged to Catherine Mary Hewitt. Because she was a Catholic and he was a Protestant, however, Reynolds kept their engagement a secret. From September 1860 to June 1861, he was the Commandant of Cadets at West Point, where he also served as an instructor.

During the Seven Days Campaign, he commanded his brigade at the Battles of Beaver Dam Creek and Gaines’ Mill. After the latter, an exhausted Reynolds was captured while attempting to get some sleep. An embarrassed Reynolds was comforted by his pre-war colleague, Confederate General D.H. Hill, who told him “do not feel so bad about your capture, it’s the fate of wars.”

Reynolds did not remain a prisoner for long; just weeks later he was exchanged and put in command of the entire division of Pennsylvania Reserves. At the Battle of Second Manassas, Reynolds led a rear guard counterattack that bought time for the Union Army to escape potential annihilation. He was unable to participate in the Battle of Antietam because a panicky Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin demanded that he command local militia forces during Lee’s invasion.

Reynolds once again commanded his division at Fredericksburg. After Fredericksburg, when General Joseph Hooker was given command of the Army of the Potomac, Reynolds was given command of Hooker’s old First Corps. After the Battle of Chancellorsville, Reynolds was one of several Union Generals who urged Hooker’s removal from command. However, when President Lincoln met with Reynolds and offered him command of the Army of the Potomac, Reynolds replied that he would only accept the command if he could be sure there would be no interference from his superiors in Washington. Unwilling to sacrifice civilian control of the military, Lincoln instead put Reynolds's friend General George Meade in command.

On the morning of July 1, 1863, as he was leading his forces towards Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Reynolds received a message that Confederate forces were almost there as well. Reynolds led his First Corps to McPherson Ridge, when he received a bullet through the neck. Reynolds died instantly. He was the highest ranking soldier on either side killed at Gettysburg.

[todaysdocument]

Map of the Battles of Bull Run, 7/21/1861

File Unit: Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay, 1784 - 1890

Series: Civil Works Map File, 1818 - 1947

Record Group 77: Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, 1789 - 1999

Image description: Map of the area of Bull Run, showing roads, terrain, troops, structures. There are many notes describing different areas. 

Image description: Zoomed-in portion of the map showing the “Battle Field in the Afternoon” area. 

Transcription:

MAP

OF

BATTLES

ON

BULL RUN

NEAR

MANASSAS,

on the line of Fairfax & Prince William Coes.

in VIRGINIA,

FOUGHT BETWEEN THE FORCES OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES

AND OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

GENLS BEAUREGARD and JOHNSTON, COMMANDING the CONFEDERATE

and

GENL. McDOWELL, THE UNITED STATES FORCES

on the 21st of July 1861, from 7 A.M. - 9 P.M.

MADE FROM OBSERVATION

BY SOLOMON BAMBERGER.

Published by WEST & JOHNSTON, 145 Main Street

RICHMOND, Va.

SCALES

4 INCHES TO THE MILE

Two companies of cavalry of enemy here

as reserve during the day. In the afternoon cavalry

charged towards Geo. 7th and were repulsed with canister.

Enemy's Cavalry

WARRENTON TURNPIKE

SUDLEYS FORD

OLD STONE CHURCH METHOD.                        No guard at Sudley's in the morning and the country people would not give information to the southern army of the approach of the columne

SPRING                                                                          This road was used by the enemy in the morning

KNIGHT'S                                                                     The larger number returned by this road in the evening.

DOGAN'S                                                  JULY 21ST, 1861.                 MAJOR SCOTT 4th Alab. wounded in retreat

MAYHEWS STONE                                                                 GENL. BEE & BARTOW'S command were in advance here in the morning

Lt. Davison 2d position

Van Pelt

Genl. Evans H.Q.

STONEBRIDGE

Enemy's battery opeed fire in the morning

When the retreating column reached this point and saw our cavalry onthe turnpike the panic seized the entire columne.

Here, wagons sotes, the siege gun or 30 pounder, arms, baggage and every thing was abandoned to facilitate their retreat.

This is the flat side of the creek and back to the road does not usually rise more than 15 or 20 feet above the creek bottoms. All enclosed is in cultivation. Opposite or west wide of the creek is bluff.

BULL RUNN

N.H.  VT.  R.I. N.Y. 69th                                           Ice House                           CARTER                                                       POPLAR or RED HILL FORD

BOAT HOWITZER              4th ALA.  COL. JONES   BATTLE FIELD in the morning                     BARTON'S horse shot

N. YORK 7TH                                         wounded                         GEO. 8th

N.O. Tigers

The enemy made a stand her about 4 P.M., on the retreat our batteries into their columne and here the rout began.

DUMFRIES (ON POTOMAC)  ROAD

First colors planted over Sherman's battery were regiment colors of the 7th Georgia.    captured battery

RICKET'S or SHERMAN'S captured here

captured battery Geo 7 Regt.

Jim. Robinson free Negro

Washington

N.O. Battery                             Capt. Inboden's battery

BATTLE FIELD IN THE AFTERNOON

Old woman killed in this house

BARTOW killed

Washington Artillery  

Cummings   Allen  Preston  Echols  Harper Gl. Jackson's brigade

PENDLETON'S BATTERY came into action at 12 1/12 P.M. This Battery dismounted Rickett's called Sherman's battery and killed 45 horses. General Bee and Col. Bartow, after their retreat from the turnpike formed under Genl. Jackson's command.

When Genl. KIRBY SMITHS reinforcement (Elzy's brigade) came up about 3 1/12 P.M. Beauregard remarked, Elzy you are the Blucher of the day.

GEN. Bee killed Cumming' Regt. charged and took this battery when Col. Thomas of Mard was killed

Battery twice capture

caisson blew up

Enemy advanced thus far and retreated by Sudley's Ford

WARRENTON TURNPIKE AT ALEXANDRIA BY CENTREVILLE  AND FAIRFAX COURTHOUSE

SUSPENSION BRIDGE

CUB RUN

The enemy opened fire below Mitchell's Ford in the morning to deceive our officers as to the crossing above at Sudley's Ford. In the afternoon, about 4 o'clock heavy firing was resumed here and was effectual in diverting our troops from the pursuit to this point.

HIGH HILLS

The largest group of the enemy was on the turnpike two miles east of Centreville. The prisoners state they left camp at one A.M. the morning of the 21st July 1861. They turned out at Widow Spindle's about 7 A.M. crossed at Sudley's Ford at 10 A.M., east dinner in the woods and were ready for fight at 12 M. July 21st 1861.

United States reserved forces

High point overlooking the battlefield July 21st 1861.

United States reserved forces

OLD FIELD OF THICK PINE UNDERGROWTH

LEWIS House

Where Capt. Ricketts and Wilcox were carried after being wounded.

Good skirmishing was done all day by many regiments and stragglers, but Genl. Jackson' brigade held their position during the fight; After they were assigned a place, Seibel's regiment marched 22 in the afternoon.

PENDLETON'S BATTERY

here at 12 M. marched 4 miles in 30 minutes

Our army was distributed along Bull Run on the 21st of July 1861 from the Stone Bride to Union Mllls. The entire plan of the Battle was changed by the enemy crossing at Sudley's Ford, and taking position about the Carter House.

WARE's HOUSE            ROAD TO CENTREVILLE     MITCHELL'S FORD

GEN. BEAUREGARD's Head Quart. after the Battle of July 21st.

McLANE'S

GENl. JOHNSTON'S Head Quarter

Major Harrison and Lieut. Miles killed in the battle July 18th, 1861

Washington Light Artillery in the bottom

BLACKFORDS FORD

Enemy's Battery

McLEAN'S FORD

July the 18th 1861

Many on the retreat after crossing Sudley's Ford did not turn down the run but went across towards the Potomac

ENEMY's Camp    Timber felled around about 60 feet wide as abbatis, and the enhancements in front supposed to have been  done under the flag of truce for burying their dead, July the 19th of 1861

   This Battery kept up firing in the morning of the 21st to deceive Beauregard and Johnston. It fired again in the afternoon at 4 o'clock and cause troops to be sent here that should have been used the the Stone Bridge. It is said a Courier was killed who had orders for Gen. Ewell's Brigade on our right wing to flank the enemy. Ewell's Brigade marched across the run in the afternoon, but returned back on account of false alarm.

ROAD TO UNION MILLS

GENl. BEAUREGARD'S Head Qrs before the Battle

MANASSAS GAP R.R.

MANASSAS

UNION MILLS

FOUR MILE CREEK

ORANGE AND ALEXANDRIA R.R.

Miles reserve made a stand on these hills on the evening of the 21st. but as the routed army approached the wing broke and pushed on to Alexandria.

VERY HIGH HILLS

Spring

CENTREVILLE

The left wing of the enemy retreated from the Mitchells Farm at 6 P.M. July 21st and held this position in the line of battle until 11 1/2 P.M. when he retreated toward Alexandria

Copy from a lithograph Bureau of  Topl. Engrs. October 1st, 1861

LITH. OF HUGER & LUDWIG, RICHMOND

[southernsteel82]

Confedetate Veteran Sergeant Berry Greenwood Benson.

Washington D.C. Confedetate Veterans Reunion And Parade 1917.

He wears the uniform he wore the day he walked home in 1865 carrying his rifle he carried that day as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Berry Benson was born on Feburary 9th 1843 in Hamburg, South Carolina, just across the Savannah river from Augusta, Georgia. In 1860 Berry Benson enlisted with his brother in a local militia unit aged 17 and 15 respectively. The next spring they witnessed the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.

After the surrender of Fort Sumter the 1st South Carolina Regiment was sent to Virginia where the Benson brothers served under A.P. Hill and Thomas Jackson. The unit fought in battles such as Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Antietam, and served in Jackson's valley campaign as Jackson's foot cavalry. Berry Benson was wounded at Chancellorsville and thus missed the battle of Gettysburg.

But he had recuperated by winter 1863 and returned to his unit where he was appointed as a scout.

The spring of 1864 brought another Union offensive into The Wilderness.

After a confusing, bloody battle in dense woods, the Union commander, General Ulysses S. Grant, attempted to get around the Confederate army and march on Richmond, Virginia, but was checked at Spotsylvania, Virginia. There followed one of the most terrible battles of the Civil War, in which the severest action occurred at the "Bloody Angle," where Benson fought.

By then the young soldier had won a reputation for scouting enemy positions.

At Spotsylvania he reconnoitered the Union camp and on an impulse stole a Yankee colonel's horse, leading it back to Confederate lines. Sent out a second time on Lee's orders, he was captured and imprisoned at the military prison in Point Lookout, Maryland.

On the second day of his captivity, Benson slipped unseen into the waters of Chesapeake Bay and swam two miles to escape but unfortunately for him he was recaptured in Union-occupied Virginia, and then was sent first to the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C., then to the new prison camp at Elmira, New York.

What happened next is the Civil War's version of "The Great Escape."

Once there he joined a group attempting to tunnel out but the effort was discovered and broken up.

Soon thereafter on October 7, 1864 at four o'clock in the morning he and nine

companions entered a tunnel sixty-six feet long which they had been digging for about two

months.

The earth extracted had been carried away in their haversacks and disposed of.

On reaching the outside of the stockade the prisoners scattered in parties of two and three, Sergeant Benson going alone, since the companion he had intended to take with him failed to escape.

He headed south and miraculously reached Confedetate lines.

Sergeant Benson, half a century later, still preserved the passes given him from Newmarket, Virginia, where he first reached Early's army, to Richmond.

He wrote in 1911 that the men who made their escape were:

Washington B. Trawiek,

of the Jeff. Davis Artillery, Alabama, then living at Cold Springs, Texas; John Fox Maull, of

the Jeff. Davis Artillery, deceased; J. P. Putegnat, deceased; G. G. Jackson of Wetumpka, Alabama;

William Templin, of Paunsdale, Alabama; J.P.Scruggs, of Limestone Springs, South Carolina;

Cecrops Malone, of Company F. Ninth Alabama Infantry, then living at Waldron, Ark.; Crawford

of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry, and Glenn.

Most of them were present at Appomattox.

Upon learning of the surrender of General Johnson in North Carolina Benson and his brother walked home.

In 1868 Sargent Benson married his wife Jeannie Oliver with whom he had six children with and, while working as an accountant, developed a complex book-keeping method that he called the “Zero System” and sold it to companies all over the country.

He and his wife wrote poetry for publication, and his wife and daughters were all fine pianists.

One of his daughters studied violin in New York and became a concert performer.

Berry Benson became an advocate for striking mill workers and worked on developing high-protein food crops for poor black sharecroppers.

Benson also became a nationally known puzzle solver, breaking a secret French code known as the"Undecipherable Cipher," in 1896 (On a challenge) and informed the U.S. War Department that he had done so.

During the Spanish-American War Benson offered his services to the United States Government but unfortunately the war ended before he could be of use.

He was perhaps best known, however, for his private investigation into the case of Leo Frank, an Atlanta factory manager accused of raping and murdering 13-year-old Mary Phagan in 1913. Perceiving discrepancies in prosecution testimony, Benson concluded Frank was innocent. His logical arguments persuaded the Georgia governor that there was enough uncertainty in the case to commute Frank’s sentence from death to life imprisonment, but that did not prevent the accused’s subsequent lynching.

He also headed a campaign to support French war orphans in World War I and convinced his friends and neighbors to adopt some of them.

He later advised the U.S. attorney general of the possibility of fraud involving European and American fiscal exchange rates and, when he became aware of the activities of Carlo Ponzi, specifically warned the Massachusetts attorney general of the original “Ponzi Scheme.”

In the midst of this productive life, Benson became an officer in the Confederate Survivors Association and was chosen to model for the statue of the infantryman atop the Augusta monument, which was dedicated in 1878.

Even in advanced age Berry Benson remained fit and active leading boy scouts on fifteen mile hikes and attending veteran reunions and parades until his death on January 1st 1923 he was 79.

"In time, even death itself might be abolished; who knows but it may be given to us after this life to meet again in the old quarters, to play chess and draughts, to get up soon to answer the morning role call, to fall in at the tap of the drum for drill and dress parade, and again to hastily don our war gear while the monotonous patter of the long roll summons to battle.

Who knows but again the old flags, ragged and torn, snapping in the wind, may face each other and flutter, pursuing and pursued, while the cries of victory fill a summer day? And after the battle, then the slain and wounded will arise, and all will meet together under the two flags, all sound and well, and there will be talking and laughter and cheers, and all will say, Did it not seem real? Was it not as in the old days?”

~ 1st Seargent Berry Greenwood Benson 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment Company H.

[pinturasdeguerra]

1862 Give us Hood! - Don Troiani

depicts the 1st Texas Infantry cheering on their brigade commander, John B. Hood, during the Maryland Campaign. To elaborate, after Second Manassas Hood had refused to obey an order from the more senior Brig. Gen. Nathan “Shanks” Evans to hand over ambulances captured during the battle, which both generals thought they had earned the rights to. Evans had Hood placed under arrest, but Gen. Lee intervened, deciding to keep Hood with the army for the Maryland Campaign, though held in the rear and kept from his brigade (although he was technically acting commander of the division after the previous commander had left on medical furlough).At the battle of South Mountain on September 14, 1862, Longstreet had been ordered to march his command from Hagerstown, Md. to Boonsboro in support of D.H. Hill’s men at Turner’s Gap. Gen. Lee was following Longstreet’s men, and as the Texas Brigade passed by they called out, “Give Us Hood!” Lee raised his hat and said, “You shall have him, gentlemen.” Lee rode up to Hood - covered in a layer of dust from the rear of Longstreet’s columns - and promised him that if he apologized for the incident with Evans then he would restore Hood back to command. Hood refused - twice - but nevertheless, Gen. Lee decided he would at least restore him back to his command for the battle. As Hood rode back to his men he was met with loud cheers as he passed by each regiment of the division - and probably a shrill Rebel Yell, too. Nothing ever came of Hood’s arrest; he was promoted to major general in October and given full command of the division. Evans ended up getting most of the trouble from superiors. Only a few days after this jovial incident, however, Hood’s division would be absolutely shot to shreds, the 1st Texas’ colors and many of its men left lying in the infamous Cornfield at Antietam.

[fuckyeahilike]

The Carnival of Venice by Jean Baptiste Arban Arranged by Donald Hunsberger United States Navy Concert Band conductor: Capt. Brian Walden cornet soloist: Musician 1st Class John Armstrong

The folk tune, "The Carnival of Venice," has become one of the most utilized melodies to demonstrate instrumental virtuosity in a theme and variations-style piece. This was recorded in May of 2015 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, Vir.

Flautist Melissa Jefferson plays slaver James Madison's 200-year-old crystal flute in the Library of Congress.

[bitesnbuzz]

July 21, 1861 ~ The First Battle of Manassas

July 21, 1861 ~ The First Battle of #Manassas pitted an untried Union Army against a fledgling Confederate foe in the 1st major test of the U.S. #CivilWar. #History #HistoryBites

The First Battle of Bull Run: At Manassas Junction, Virginia was the first major battle of the U.S. Civil War and resulted in a smashing victory for the upstart Confederate army.

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[psikadelic3]

The year is 1994. I stepped foot in a band room for the 1st time at Manassas High School (school was 7th thru 12th before anyone asks). Met this man named Leslie Purnell, who would be my 1st band director. He asked me what I wanted to play. I didn't know honestly, so I said "that one." A trombone was sitting on his desk. He said, "no I have a lot of those already. I'm going to put you on trumpet." I said ok. A few weeks later, he came to me and said, "I'm going to switch you to alto sax. We don't have enough." I said ok. I never questioned his vision for us cuz I was learning, but he instilled an adaptability and willingness to get out of our comfort zone early. He was old school, a fantastic trombonist, and a legend in the Memphis area. He was friends with Isaac Hayes, who was an alumni of Manassas. He even had him come speak to us. From that day on, I was a bandhead forever. Thank you Mr. Purnell for being my 1st Guiding Spirit in this world of music. May you rest in peace. 🕊🙏🏾 (at Manassas High School) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmNBhL0uPnP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[770treeguy1]

Tree Crowding – Trim, Prune or Remove? What’s Best?

https://770treeguy.com/2022/08/01/tree-crowding-trim-prune-or-remove-whats-best/ -  Have an overcrowding issue? Don't worry! There isn't always just one solution to a problem. Consider trimming, pruning, or removal to help solve all your space problems. Take care of your tree crowding with different methods.

Contact Us: 770 Tree Guy

Peachtree City: 313 Dividend Dr Unit 105, Peachtree City, GA 30269 Phone: (770) 809-6775

Fayetteville: 238 1st Manassas Mile Fayetteville, GA 30215 Phone: (770) 629-8715

Newnan: 15 Perry St Suite 105, Newnan, GA 30263 Phone: (770) 766-9254

[hopebystefanygrieco]

REMINDER: Final Day for 20% Bonus Coupon with any Join Collection! When we introduced our newest join collection on September 1st, we also offered a coupon to anyone purchasing a collection by September 7th. This coupon can be used to save 20% off any new Partner order placed this month! #join #tradesofhope #tohstyle #toh #partner www.tradesofhope.com/stefanygrieco (at Ashland, Manassas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiN6h0lJglM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[calidebs]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: VTG Historical American Battlefields Location Books Lot Shiloh Sumter Bull Run +.

[pattern-53-enfield]

“Sword of Virginia - Battle of Second Manassas” by Don Troiani

Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Gustavus Skinner leads the charge against the 5th Maine’s artillery position, brandishing what his staff officers referred to as his ‘tremendous French sabre’, a 38-inch M1814 cuirassier’s blade brought back from Europe by the colonel in his youth. “In his cups,” an officer remarked, “the fine old colonel would swear that he would die happy should he have a chance to use that steel on the enemy.”. Astride ‘Old Fox’, his faithful sorrel known as a fierce hunter’s horse, Skinner raced ahead of the cheering 1st Virginia Infantry and managed to strike down the loader of a Union gun, having part of his ear blown off and breaking three ribs upon becoming unseated. He survived the war and passed away in 1894.

[quicksiluers]

Truman Seymour (September 24, 1824 – October 30, 1891) began his military career after attending Norwich University for two years before enrolling in the United States Military Academy in 1842.  He graduated from West Point in 1846, and was assigned to the 1st Artillery during the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.  He was promoted to first lieutenant for his conduct during the battles of Contreras and Churubusco.  After the war, he returned to West Point and taught for three years, and then served during the Seminole War in Florida from 1856 to 1858.

When the Civil War broke out, Seymour was stationed in Fort Sumter, and was brevetted a major for his actions during the Confederate attack.  His first service came early in the war within the defenses of Washington, and was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on April 28, 1862.  Seymour was assigned to a brigade within McCall’s division of the V Corps, commanded by John Porter.  He commanded his soldiers during the battle of Mechanicsville, and then commanded the division during the battle of Malvern Hill as a result of McCall being captured by Confederates at the battle of Frayser’s Farm.  He led troops during the battles of Second Manassas, South Mountain, and Antietam, resulting in two brevet promotions in the regular army up to colonel.  In November of 1862, he was reassigned to Charleston Harbor and led a failed attack on Battery Wagner in July of 1863, where he was severely wounded.

When Seymour returned to duty in December of 1863, he was placed in charge of the District of Florida by General Quincy A. Gillmore.  In February of 1864, Seymour and his division made an expedition to Florida capturing the city of Jacksonville.  On February 20, Seymour and his division left the city and met approximately 5,000 Confederate troops under the command of Joseph Finegan at the battle of Olustee.  The battle would be the largest battle fought in Florida during the Civil War, and ultimately a Confederate victory.  Seymour’s defeat resulted in his retreat back to Jacksonville.  Following the battle he was relieved of command of the division in Florida, and sent to Virginia where he was placed within the Army of the Potomac.

He served during the battle of the Wilderness, and was captured by Confederate forces under John B. Gordon.  He was exchanged after the battle, and was placed in charge of the third division of the VI Corps.  He commanded through Union campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley, during the siege of Petersburg, and finally during the Appomattox campaign.  He was present when Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, and received brevet promotions of major general of volunteers and brigadier general in the regular army for his actions during the final campaigns of the war.