George Maltby Love (January 1, 1831 – March 15, 1887) was a

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

in the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

and a

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

recipient for his actions in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

Civil War

George Love enlisted in the 21st New York Volunteer Infantry on May 9, 1861, and was mustered in as the regiment's Sergeant Major on May 13, 1861.Eicher, John H., and

David J. Eicher David John Eicher (born August 7, 1961) is an American editor, writer, and popularizer of astronomy and space. He has been editor-in-chief of ''Astronomy'' magazine since 2002. He is author, coauthor, or editor of 23 books on science and American ...

, ''Civil War High Commands.'' Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. . p. 354 He served in that duty until August 23, 1861, when he was transferred to the 44th New York Infantry and promoted to first lieutenant of Company A. He was promoted to

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

of Company A on January 2, 1862, and led his troops through the spring and summer of that year. On September 5, 1862, he was again promoted and transferred, to

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

of the 116th New York Volunteer Infantry. On July 16, 1863, he was promoted to colonel of the 116th New York Infantry, replacing Colonel

Edward Payson Chapin Edward Payson Chapin (August 16, 1831 – May 27, 1863) was an American lawyer and soldier. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War, and was wounded twice, both times occurring on May 27. Chapin was killed in action fighting in ...

, who was killed in action. While in command of his men during the October 19, 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, he captured the battle flag of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry Regiment, for which he was awarded the

on March 6, 1865. On March 7, 1865,

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

nominated Love for appointment to the

brevet Brevet may refer to: Military * Brevet (military), higher rank that rewards merit or gallantry, but without higher pay * Brevet d'état-major, a military distinction in France and Belgium awarded to officers passing military staff college * Aircre ...

grade of

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

of volunteers to rank from March 7, 1865, to rank from March 7, 1865, and the

U.S. Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...

confirmed the appointment on March 10, 1865. Love was honorably mustered out of the volunteer service on June 8, 1865.

Later life and death

Love enlisted in the Regular Army in 1867 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 11th United States Infantry. Retiring as a First Lieutenant in 1883, he received brevets up to Lieutenant Colonel, US Regular Army. Not much is known about his life after retiring. George Maltby Love died in Buffalo, New York, of natural causes on March 15, 1887, at the age of 56.New York Heritage
/ref> He was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York. His resting place lies only a few feet from where President

Millard Fillmore Millard Fillmore (January 7, 1800March 8, 1874) was the 13th president of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853; he was the last to be a member of the Whig Party while in the White House. A former member of the U.S. House of Represen ...

is buried.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Colonel, 116th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864. Entered service at: New York. Birth: New York. Date of issue: March 6, 1865. Citation:

Capture of battle flag of 2d South Carolina (C.S.A.).

Notes

References

* Eicher, John H., and

, ''Civil War High Commands.'' Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. . : *

External links