Pennypacker Boy General or The Rest Of His Story

Galusha Pennypacker was a Genuine Boy General, during the Civil War and here is the rest of his story. Several regular readers of Civil War Bummer have requested additional information regarding the post-war exploits and adventures of some of the renowned individuals detailed on this site.

Pennypacker’s United States Army career ended in July of 1883. His last commands were on the frontier plains. Galusha never fully recovered from his wounds and this impeded his field duties. He retired at the rank Major General of Volunteers. On August 17, 1891, Pennypacker was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The citation reads,

Rank and organization: Colonel, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry. Place and date: At
Fort Fisher, N.C., 15 January 1865. Entered service at: West Chester, Pa. Born:
1 June 1844, Valley Forge, Pa. Date of issue: 17 August 1891. Citation:
Gallantly led the charge over a traverse and planted the colors of one of his
regiments thereon, was severely wounded.

Galusha Pennypacker was wounded seven times, led valiantly from the front and was an inspiration to his men, most were honored to have served with him. He returned to Philadelphia and lived a reserved and inauspicious life style. In 1872, Pennypacker was urged to run for Governor, but he didn’t have any taste for politics. He toured Europe, at the turn of the century, accompanied by his physician. On his return, a New York World reporter, Philip R. Dillon, asked Pennypacker what he remembered about the man who shot him at Fort Fisher, Pennypacker responded,

“I did see him—a big North Carolinian,” Pennypacker recalled. “I saw the man taking aim at me. He was about 20 feet away. I fell forward at the feet of the men who had fired. I kept my mind clear. I could see and hear, but could not move. I still could see the man who had shot me.”

The Confederates surrendered after the volley that felled Pennypacker. As they stood with their hands up, a Union soldier demanded the North Carolinian’s blanket so they could carry Pennypacker away in it.

“The Confederate, a savage fellow, growled fiercely, I won’t give up my blanket. I’m a prisoner and entitled to my blanket. The next instant, my men, with clubbed muskets, dashed out his brains. He died instantly,” remembered Pennypacker. “For the blood of my men was up, and they were as savage as the North Carolinian. I closed my eyes, and they carried me away in that blanket. But the horror of it has never gone out of my mind to this day.”

General Galusha Pennypacker, died October 1, 1916, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is buried in the Philadelphia National Cemetery. A bronze statue in honor of his leadership and bravery stands in Logan Square in Philadelphia. Pennypacker Boy General was a true American Hero and this was the rest of his story.

Many historians debate Pennypacker’s true date of birth. Whether it was 1841 or 1844 or 1944, if one is a trivia buff or stickler for minutiae, it is really irrelevant, Galusha Pennypacker was still a courageous and honorable warrior, a bona fide Pennsylvania Patriot and forever a Boy General!

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