Morgan Henry Chrysler (September 30, 1822 – August 24, 1890) was an American soldier who served as a Union Army

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

Early life

Chrysler was born at

Ghent Ghent ( ; ; historically known as ''Gaunt'' in English) is a City status in Belgium, city and a Municipalities of Belgium, municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the Provinces of Belgium, province ...

Columbia County, New York Columbia County is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 61,570. The county seat is Hudson, New York, Hudson. The name comes from th ...

. He received a normal school education in his native town. He was involved in farming nearly all his life.Wilson & Grant (1888), p. 612

Civil War service

When the American Civil War began in 1861, Chrysler chose to support the Union cause. He entered federal service as a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

for a company which later joined the 30th New York Infantry. He was appointed captain of the 30th New York on June 1, 1861. He became major on March 11, 1862; lieutenant colonel on August 30, 1863; and colonel of a regiment of cavalry on December 13, 1863.Warner (1964), p. 82 Chrysler served in the

Peninsula Campaign The Peninsula campaign (also known as the Peninsular campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March to July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The oper ...

, the

Second Battle of Bull Run The Second Battle of Bull Run or Battle of Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, in Prince William County, Virginia, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of the Northern Virginia Campaign waged by Confederate ...

, the

Battle of Antietam The Battle of Antietam ( ), also called the Battle of Sharpsburg, particularly in the Southern United States, took place during the American Civil War on September 17, 1862, between Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virgi ...

, and the

Battle of Chancellorsville The Battle of Chancellorsville, April 30 – May 6, 1863, was a major battle of the American Civil War (1861–1865), and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville campaign. Confederate General Robert E. Lee's risky decision to divide h ...

. He and the regiment were mustered out after the battle of Chancellorsville because their term of service was expired. He was instantly granted the authority to reorganize the discharged men into a cavalry regiment. In fifty-five days, he raised the 2nd New York veteran cavalry, which consisted of 1,176 men. He and his regiment were briefly stationed at Washington during the winter of 1863–64, before they were sent to

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...

, to join the Department of the Gulf. Chrysler's regiment participated in the Red River Campaign, and led a brigade of cavalry as the advance guard of Lawler's Division to secure a crossing on the

Atchafalaya River The Atchafalaya River () is a distributary of the Mississippi River and Red River of the South, Red River in south central Louisiana in the United States. It flows south, just west of the Mississippi River, and is the fifth largest river in N ...

used by Confederate forces to threaten the union camp at

Morganza, Louisiana Morganza is an incorporated village near the Mississippi River in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 610 at the 2010 census, down from 659 in 2000. As of 2020 the population was 525. It is part of the Baton Rouge ...

. They did their remaining service in the lower South. Chrysler commanded a brigade in Thomas John Lucas's division during the final campaign against Mobile in 1865. Chrysler was appointed a brevet major general on March 13, 1865. He was one of only four men who rose from private to major general during the Civil War. He became military governor of the District of Northern

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

for a short period of time before he was mustered out in 1866.

Postbellum

Following the war, Chrysler led a private life. He died at

Kinderhook, New York Kinderhook is a town in the northern part of Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 8,330 at the 2020 census,U.S. Census, 2020, 'Kinderhook town, Columbia County, New York' making it the most populous municipality in Columb ...

, and was interred at

Valatie, New York Valatie (; ) is a village with several waterfalls in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 1,785 at the 2020 census. The village is at the center of the town of Kinderhook on US 9. History Valatie was first named ''Pac ...

Notes

References

* *

External links