Edward Burd Grubb

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Edward Burd Grubb, Jr. (known as E. Burd Grubb) (November 13, 1841 – July 7, 1913) was a Union Army officer in the American Civil War. He served in three regiments, commanded two of them, and became a brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers. He was also a noted foundryman and business owner, as well as a politician and diplomat.

1 Civil War
2 Postbellum
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Civil War

Grubb was born in Burlington, New Jersey, to Cornwall ore mine owner Edward B. Grubb and his wife Euphemia. He was educated at Burlington College and graduated in 1860, just five months before Abraham Lincoln was elected as President.

He was only 19 years old when he enlisted in May 1861 in the 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. Commissioned as a first lieutenant, he served as an aide to Brig. Gen. George W. Taylor during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign and the August 1862 Northern Virginia Campaign that culminated in the Second Battle of Bull Run. In November 1862, he was promoted to Major, and was transferred to the 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, a nine-month enlistment unit made up of men from his hometown of Burlington and various parts of Burlington County.

In March 1863, despite his youth, he was promoted to Colonel and commander of the regiment when its previous leader, Col. Henry O. Ryerson, left to take command of the 10th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. Colonel Grubb led his regiment as it participated in his brigade's assault on Confederate positions at Salem Church during the May 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville. He was wounded in action, and was mustered out when his regiment's enlistment expired by law in June 1863.

After a year spent in recruitment and recruit training, he was commissioned as colonel and commander of the 37th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, a 100-day enlistment unit. The new regiment then served in the trenches of Petersburg, Virginia, and in garrison duty until it was mustered out in October 1864. Colonel Grubb experienced tragedy during this time, as his younger brother Parker Grubb, serving as the 37th New Jersey's regimental Adjutant, died of disease during the regiment's service.

In recognition of his service, Edward Burd Grubb received a brevet promotion to Brigadier General, United States Volunteers on March 13, 1865, for "gallant and meritorious services during the war".

[edit] Postbellum

After mustering out later in 1865, Grubb returned to Burlington and established himself as a prominent iron manufacturer, taking over the iron business began by his father. In 1868, Edward married Elizabeth Wadsworth Van Rensselaer, daughter of an important area family. He was elected to the Burlington City Council and served as its president for two years.

He stayed active in veterans affairs, and served for 18 years as the ceremonial captain of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry (a social organization that had once been George Washington's personal bodyguard during the American Revolution. He was also a colonel in the New Jersey National Guard.

Grubb gained considerable political clout, parlaying it to an appointment as United States Minister to Spain (serving from 1890 to 1892). He also ran for Governor of New Jersey, losing to Leon Abbett.

He died in Newark, New Jersey, and was buried in Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard in Burlington, New Jersey.^[1]

His residence in Burlington still stands today along the banks of the Delaware River, with a plaque noting it as the Grubb family homestead.