Saturday, September 5, 2009

Paul Revere at the Battle of Gettysburg: patriotism runs in the family

Did you know that Paul Revere, the famous "midnight rider" of Boston, had a grandson who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg? Yes, it's true; Paul Joseph Revere was a Colonel in the 20th regiment Masachusetts Volunteers when he gave the last full measure on July 4, 1863. Below is an excerpt from the American Annual Cyclopaedia summarizing the accomplishments of Colonel Revere:

Revere, Col. Paul Joseph, an officer of U. S. volunteers, died of wounds received in the battle of Gettysburg. He was born in Boston, September 18th, 1832, and was a grandson of Paul Revere of Revolutionary history. His early educational advantages were good, and in 1862 he graduated at Harvard College. When the war broke out, though occupying a high sodul position and surrounded by everything calculated to make life pleasant, he at once volunteered his services on behalf of his country, and accepting the commission of major in the 20Uth regiment of volunteers, went to the seat of war. At the disastrous battle of Ball's Bluff his regiment behaved nobly, but lost heavily; he was taken prisoner and, with his colonel, was confined in a felon's cell as a hostage for the privateersmen whom the United States Court had convicted as pirates. After his exchange he participated in the campaign on the James river, and at Antietam was on General Sumner's staff, when he was complimented for his gallantry, having received a severe wound, which gave him a long winter of pain and seclusion. Upon his recovery he was promoted as colonel of the 20th regiment, and received his death wound in the first successful battle of the campaign.

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