Paul Ambrose Oliver (July 18, 1831 – May 17, 1912) was an American
explosive
An explosive (or explosive material) is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure. An expl ...
s inventor,
American Civil War Union Army 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 ...
and staff officer who was appointed 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 and
Medal of Honor recipient.
[Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, ''Civil War High Commands.'' Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. . p. 409] He was born on the ship ''Louisiana'', his father's merchant ship, during one of its voyages in the
English Channel. Before the Civil War, he worked as a shipping merchant.
In January 1862, Oliver joined the
12th New York Volunteer Infantry
The 12th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Service
3 Month Service of the 12th New York State Militia
The 12th New York Volunteer Infantry is sometimes confused with the 12th New ...
as a
second lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank.
Australia
The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...
.
During the war, he served as an aide to no fewer than four generals, including
Daniel Butterfield,
George Meade,
Joseph Hooker and
Gouverneur K. Warren.
While he accepted a promotion to captain in April 1864, he declined further promotions. On March 8, 1865,
President Abraham Lincoln nominated Oliver for appointment as a brevet brigadier general to rank from March 8, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 10, 1865.
[Eicher, 2001, p. 754] Oliver resigned his commission on May 6, 1865.
Oliver was an inventor and powder manufacturer after the Civil War.
He was also a companion of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Paul Ambrose Oliver died May 17, 1912, at
Laurel Run, Pennsylvania
Laurel Run is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 560 at the 2020 census.
History
Laurel Run was incorporated as a borough in 1881. The borough is home to one of the oldest continuing motorsport events i ...
.
He was buried at
Green-Wood Cemetery,
Brooklyn, New York.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Captain, Company D, 12th New York Infantry. Place and date: Resaca, Ga., 15 May 1864. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Born: 18 July 1831, at sea in the English Channel. Date of issue: 12 October 1892.
While acting as aide assisted in preventing a disaster caused by Union troops firing into each other.
See also
*
List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union)
Notes
References
* Eicher, John H., and
David J. Eicher, ''Civil War High Commands.'' Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. .
External links
Biography1893 Biographical Sketch*
1831 births
1912 deaths
American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor
United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
Union Army officers
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