Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Neill

[jkBluesman]

Brig. Gen. Thomas Hewson Neill (b. 1826, d. 1885). Although present at almost every major engagement in the Eastern theatre Neill commanded for half of the war only units kept in reserve. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he graduated from West Point in 1847. He served the army on the frontier before returning to the United States Military Academy as an engineering instructor. In 1857 he participated in the Utah Expedition against the Latter-day Saints. Neill entered the Civil War as captain but by February 1862 he had risen to colonel of the 23rd Pennsylvania, a unit known for its French Zouave uniforms. The same spring Neill led his regiment through the Pennsylvania Campaign, where it was engaged at Seven Pines, but saw only minor action during the Seven Days. Brought back north with the Army of the Potomac it helped to cover the Army of Virginia’s retreat after the defeat at Second Bull Run on August 29-30. During the Maryland Campaign Neill’s regiment was part of Gen. Darius Couch’s division that was not engaged at Antietam. In spite of having missed the major battles Neill was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers in November. He was given the 3rd brigade, 2nd division, VI corps and led it at Fredericksburg, where it was deployed on the Union left wing but did not take part in the assault on Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s corps on December 13. Neill and his men returned to Fredericksburg the following May during the Chancellorsville Campaign. His brigade helped to take the heights behind the town, but the advance of the VI corps was stopped at Salem Church on May 6 and its commander Gen. John Sedgwick chose to retreat back north. In the ensuing Pennsylvania Campaign Neill defended the Union right at Gettysburg on the third day, beating back the attacks on Culp’s Hill. During the Overland Campaign of 1864 Neill would finally see more fighting. His brigade suffered high casualties from attacks in the Wilderness, defended the captured “Mule Shoe” against counterattacks at Spotsylvania Court House and was repulsed at Cold Harbor. As part of the assault force at Petersburg on June 18, it did not manage to take the Confederate trenches – the Federals had to besiege the town. Neill went with the VI corps to Washington in July to counter Gen. Jubal Early’s raid. In the ensuing Shenandoah Valley Campaign he acted as inspector general to Gen. Philip Sheridan under whom he served until the war’s end. For his service he was breveted major general on March 13, 1865. After the Civil War, Neill stayed in the army and served in the infantry and cavalry. During his final years in the army he acted as Commandant of Cadets and Tactic Instructor at the National Military Academy before retiring in 1883. He died two years later in Philadelphia and was buried at West Point.

Ldr: 4
Tact: 4
Init: 3
Cmd: 3
Cav: 0

Teaches: Resilient, Disciplined

[Gil R.]

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