A Civil War Biography

Lewis Addison Grant

Grant was born on 17 January 1828 in Winhall, Vermont. A self-educated lawyer, he taught and practiced law before the war.

He was mustered into service as a major in the 5th Vermont Infantry regiment on 15 August 1861 at Bellow Falls, Vermont. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 25 September 1861 and commanded the 5th Vt. which was attached to the 2nd brigade of the 2nd division VI Corps during the Seven Days. He was promoted to colonel on 16 September 1862 and led the 5th Vt. at Fredericksburg where he was wounded.

He was given command of the 2nd brigade / 2nd division / VI Corps, the "Old Vermont Brigade" consisting of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th , 5th , and 6th Vermont regiments prior to Chancellorsville and would retain that command until the end of the war seeing action at Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, during the Shenandoah Valley campaign, at Cedar Creek, and at Petersburg where he again was wounded. Grant was commissioned brigadier general of volunteers on 27 April 1864. He was brevetted major general of volunteers on 19 October 1864. Grant mustered out of the service on 24 August 1865 and moved to Chicago.

In 1890 he was appointed Assistant Secretary of War in the administration of Benjamin Harrison, serving as acting Secretary of War in 1891 for six weeks from 5 November until 17 December. Grant also served in Grover Cleveland's cabinet. On 11 May 1893 Grant was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Salem Heights, Virginia on 3 May 1864. The citation reads: "Personal gallantry and intrepidity displayed in the management of his brigade and in leading it in the assault in which he was wounded." Grant died on 20 March 1918 in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the age of 90.

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