Simon Goodell Griffin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nelson, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
Union
Simon Goodell Griffin | |
|---|---|
 Brig. Gen. Simon Goodell Griffin | |
| Born | August 9, 1824 Nelson, New Hampshire |
| Died | January 14, 1902 (aged 77) Keene, New Hampshire |
| Buried | Woodland Cemetery, Keene, New Hampshire |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Simon Goodell Griffin (August 9, 1824 – January 14, 1902) was a Union Army brigadier general during the American Civil War, farmer, teacher, lawyer and New Hampshire state legislator.[1]
Simon G. Griffin was born at Nelson, New Hampshire on August 9, 1824. Both of his grandfathers were American Revolutionary War veterans. Griffin was a farmer and a teacher. He represented his town in the State legislature and was admitted to the bar in 1860.[1][2]
Civil War Service
During the American Civil War, Griffin served first as a captain in the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry from June 1, 1861, to October 31 of that year. He served as lieutenant colonel of the 6th New Hampshire Infantry from November 28, 1861, until he became colonel on April 22, 1862. Griffin led his regiment in First Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. He led the regiment in the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. Griffin led first brigade second division briefly during the winter of 1862–1863.[1][2]
Griffin's regiment was sent west with Major General Ambrose Burnside, where Griffin alternately served as regimental and brigade commander. He served under Major General Ulysses S. Grant during the Siege of Vicksburg when Major General John G. Parke took IX Corps to Mississippi. IX Corps served for the most time during the Vicksburg campaign with Major General William T. Sherman, preventing Confederate reinforcements from reaching Vicksburg.[2][3] Next Colonel Griffin participated in Sherman's Meridian and Yazoo River Expeditions in Mississippi in February 1864, which culminated in the Battle of Meridian.[1][2]
Returning east, Griffin commanded the Second Brigade, Second Division, in the Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House and the Battle of Cold Harbor. He was appointed brigadier general of volunteers on May 30, 1864, to rank from May 12, 1864.[4]
When Major General Robert B. Potter, the division commander, was wounded in an attack on Fort Mahone during the Third Battle of Petersburg on April 2, 1865, Griffin became acting division commander during the Appomattox Campaign. He also commanded the division in the Department of Washington after the Confederate surrender.[1]
