John Morrison Oliver (September 6, 1828 – March 30, 1872) was a Union general during 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 ...

. He fought in many of the battles involving the Army of the Tennessee, occasionally commanding a brigade.

Biography

He was born on September 6, 1828 in

Penn Yan, New York Penn Yan is an incorporated village and the county seat of Yates County, New York, United States. The population was 5,159 at the 2010 census. It lies at the north end of the east branch of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. Penn Yan, New York ...

. Oliver graduated from St. John's College in New York. He moved to

Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...

and worked as a

pharmacist A pharmacist, also known as a chemist (Commonwealth English) or a druggist (North American and, archaically, Commonwealth English), is a healthcare professional who prepares, controls and distributes medicines and provides advice and instructi ...

. When the Civil War began he joined the

4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment The 4th Michigan Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The 4th Michigan wore a very Americanized zouave uniform. This uniform consisted of a Federal dark blue 4 button sack coat, ...

as a private. He rose to captain in that regiment before being appointed colonel of the 15th Michigan on March 13, 1862.Eicher p.409 He led his regiment at Shiloh and commanded the 2nd Brigade, 6th Division during the

siege A siege is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition warfare, attrition, or a well-prepared assault. This derives from la, sedere, lit=to sit. Siege warfare is a form of constant, low-intensity con ...

and battle of Corinth. He returned to command the 15th Michigan during the siege of Vicksburg where he was part of the XVI Corps. He briefly commanded the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division,

XV Corps 15th Corps, Fifteenth Corps, or XV Corps may refer to: *XV Corps (British India) *XV Corps (German Empire), a unit of the Imperial German Army prior to and during World War I *15th Army Corps (Russian Empire), a unit in World War I *XV Royal Bavar ...

and was transferred to Chattanooga in the wake of

Ulysses Grant Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant ; April 27, 1822July 23, 1885) was an American military officer and politician who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. As Commanding General, he led the Union Ar ...

's victory there in 1863. Oliver was back in command of his regiment during William T. Sherman's preparations for the advance against Atlanta, but once the campaign got underway Oliver was in command of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, XV Corps. He briefly led the 1st Brigade, 4th Division at the

battle of Jonesborough The Battle of Jonesborough (August 31–September 1, 1864) was fought between Union Army forces led by William Tecumseh Sherman and Confederate forces under William J. Hardee during the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. On the first ...

. During the March to the Sea, Oliver commanded the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, XV Corps. His was one of the brigades that assaulted Fort McAllister in December. On January 12, 1865 he was promoted to

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. He was at the battle of Bentonville, though his brigade did not see much action. He received a brevet promotion to major general of volunteers on March 13, 1865 and was in command of the 2nd Division, XV Corps at the close of the war. He was mustered out of the volunteer service on August 24, 1865. Following the Civil War he moved to

Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the Osage ...

where he practiced law and became the post office superintendent in

Little Rock ( The "Little Rock") , government_type = Council-manager , leader_title = Mayor , leader_name = Frank Scott Jr. , leader_party = D , leader_title2 = Council , leader_name2 ...

.John Morrison Oliver
/ref> He died on March 30, 1872 in

Washington, DC ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver, John Morrison Union Army generals 1828 births 1872 deaths Burials at Lake View Cemetery (Penn Yan, New York) People from Penn Yan, New York Fordham University alumni Arkansas lawyers 19th-century American lawyers

Biography

See also

References

External links