Henry Livermore Abbott

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Henry Livermore Abbott
January 21, 1842(1842-01-21)May 6, 1864 (aged 22)
Place of death Battle of the Wilderness
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1861 – 1864
Rank Brigadier general (posthumous)
Unit 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
Battles/wars American Civil War
*Battle of Antietam
*Battle of Fredericksburg
*Battle of Gettysburg
*Battle of the Wilderness
Relations Josiah Gardner Abbott (father)

Henry Livermore Abbott (January 21, 1842May 6, 1864), the son of Josiah Gardner Abbott, a judge and United States congressman, was a brigadier general in the Union army during the American Civil War. A Harvard law student, Abbott joined the Massachusetts militia after the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter.

In August 1861, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Abbott saw action at Balls Bluff, Virginia in 1861, during the 1862 Peninsular Campaign, the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. His regiment took part in repelling Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg; he assumed command of the regiment when his superior officers were wounded. After the battle, he was promoted to major.

In 1864, during the Battle of the Wilderness, he again assumed command of his regiment after Colonel George Macy was wounded. On the third day of the battle, he was shot and mortally wounded. On March 13, 1865, he received a posthumous brevet promotion to brigadier general.

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