James
Wadsworth was born in New York in 1807. After graduating from Harvard
University he studied law. An opponent of slavery, Wadsworth was
member of the Free Soil Party before
joining the Republican Party.
On the outbreak of the American Civil War
Wadsworth joined the Union Army . He
served under Major General Irvin McDowell
at Bull Run (July, 1862) before being
commissioned as a brigadier general in the Army of the Potomac. Wadsworth
commanded the 2nd Brigade (October, 1861 to March, 1862) before being
appointed as military governor of Washington.
Wadsworth returned to active service in January, 1863 and took part
in the battle of Chancellorsville
(May, 1863) and Gettysburg (July,
1863). He was leading the 4th Division, V Corps, when he was mortally
wounded at the Wilderness. James
Wadsworth died two days later on 8th May, 1864.
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