Battleline
Posts: 426
Joined: 10/5/2006
Status: offline
|
Maj. Gen. Silas Casey (b.1807, d. 1882) The highlight of Silas Casey’s Civil War career came at the Battle of Seven Pines (May 31-June 1, 1862). There, Casey led a division in the IV Corps of Maj. Gen. Erasmus Keyes in fending off the first attack of the fight at what later became called “Casey’s Redoubt.” Casey’s position was overrun at Seven Pines. For the rest of the war, he commanded a provisional brigade in the Washington defenses and helped to select officers for Negro units. Casey was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, July 12, 1807. He received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated with the Class of 1826 (39th of 41). Casey was a career army man. After 10 years in service, he earned a promotion to first lieutenant. In 1839, Casey was promoted to captain. During the Mexican War, Casey saw service with Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott’s command, fighting at Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec. Casey was a captain in the 2nd Infantry and earned brevets to major and lieutenant colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct. He also was twice wounded. After the Mexican War, Casey served for the most part on the Pacific coast. In 1855, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 9th Infantry. Also during the time between the Mexican War and the Civil War, Casey served on the board which revised the manual of tactics for foot officers. His three-volume System of Infantry Tactics, also known as “Casey’s Tactics” was eventually adopted by the War Department in 1862. It was very similar to the two-volume works of William Hardee, but expanded upon Hardee’s works by expanding to brigade and division groups. His follow-up work, Infantry Tactics for Colored Troops was published in 1863. On Aug. 31, 1861, Casey was appointed brigadier general of volunteers, being recalled from Fort Stilacoom in Washington Territory. Named to command a brigade in the Army of the Potomac, Casey frequently was given other duties, such as overseeing details of the military funeral of Col. Edward Baker. Casey finally got into action during the Peninsular Campaign. After action at Yorktown and Williamsburg, Casey saw his greatest action at Seven Pines. Hit by the first Confederate attack, Casey’s position eventually was overrun. Despite criticism from Maj. Gen. George McClellan, Casey was promoted to major general to rank from May 31, 1862. He was transferred to command the Washington provisional division. He also supervised training of new recruits. His military responsibilities were countering Confederate raids on outposts near Washington, D.C. Casey also served on court martial boards, including that of Fitz John Porter. In 1863, Casey was placed on the board to examine officers for command of Colored troops. He stayed in this position until July of 1865. Casey’s son-in-law, Lewis C. Hunt also ascended to brigadier general during the war. After the war, he revered to colonel of the 9th Infantry. He retired in 1868 and lived in Brooklyn. He died there Jan. 22, 1882. He was buried at the Casey Family Farm near North Kingston, Rhode Island.
|
Printable Version
Casey's Tactics: USA Maj. Gen. Silas Casey - 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread