John I. Curtin

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John I. Curtin
45th Pennsylvania Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
RelationsCousin of Gov. Andrew Gregg Curtin

John Irvin Curtin (June 17, 1837 – January 1, 1911) was a cousin of Pennsylvania governor Andrew Gregg Curtin. He led a regiment and then a brigade in the American Civil War.

Early life

Curtin was born at Eagle Forge, Pennsylvania. He was educated at Dickinson Seminary, later Lycoming College and became a civil engineer.

Civil War service

In 1861, Curtin served as a private in the

45th Pennsylvania Infantry. Curtin was promoted to major on July 30, 1862, and lieutenant colonel on September 4 of the same year. He became the regiment's colonel on April 13, 1863.[1]

In the

Knoxville Campaign
.

When IX Corps returned to the Army of the Potomac in 1864, Curtin led his regiment at the

Robert B. Potter. Curtin took command of 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, on May 11, 1864, after Col. Zenas Bliss was injured at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He led the brigade at the Battle of Cold Harbor and continued in command until June 18, when he was wounded in the Second Battle of Petersburg
.

Curtin led his brigade again in the

John Hartranft
from May 4 to July 8 and then his old brigade from July 8 to July 17, 1865.

On December 20, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Curtin for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from October 12, 1864, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on February 14, 1865.[3] He was mustered out of the volunteer service on July 17, 1865.[1]

Post war

Curtin died in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1911.[1] He was buried at the Union Cemetery in Bellefonte.[1]

See also

Notes

References