GEN. WILLIAM EMERSON STRONG,
b. Granville, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1840; d. Florence, Italy, Apr.10, 1891; son
of John Emerson Strong and Abigail Percival, his wife; m. Apr. 25, 1867
MARY BOSTWICK OGDEN (Mahlon D.1581, Abraham575, John232, David62, Thomas12,
David3, John1), b. May 2, 1843; d. Dec. 3, 1901.
GEN. WILLIAM EMERSON
STRONG was born at Granville, N. Y. While a small boy, his parents removed
to Wisconsin, where he passed his youth and early manhood. He had just
been admitted to the bar of his adopted state when Fort Sumter was fired
upon; it so stirred his patriotism he responded to the first call for troops
in 1861, and immediately raised a company for the 2d Wis. Inf. in Apr.,
1861. He began his military career in the Army of the Potomac, taking an
honorable part with his regiment in the first battles of the war, at Blackburn's
Ford and Bull Run. A few months later he was promoted Major of the 12th
Wis. Inf. and was from that time associated with the Army of the Tennessee
to the close of the war, being in active service till peace was declared.
For bravery in battle, GEN. STRONG was early assigned to duty on the staff
of the gallant and lamented McPherson by whom he was held in the highest
esteem, and it was he who received the last order Gen. McPherson ever gave,
a moment before he was killed in the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
After Gen. McPherson's death, GEN. STRONG remained on duty as Chief of
Staff for Gen. O. O. Howard until the end of the war. He served with marked
distinction in every battle and campaign of the Army of the Tennessee.
Upon the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, GEN. STRONG was accorded
the honor of raising the Stars and Stripes over the captured ramparts.
He was brevetted Brigadier General Mar., 1865, for gallant and meritorious
service.
After the war, GEN. STRONG
removed to Chicago to engage in business, where he continued to reside
until his death. He always took an active interest in public affairs, but
never held official position. He resided in Chicago over twenty years,
and in all his business transactions was the soul of integrity and honor,
no other citizen being held in higher esteem. He was the close personal
friend of Gen. Sheridan, his companion in many mountain excursions, and
on the Western frontier. An interesting description of a trip to the Yellowstone
in 1875 with the Secretary of War was published by him for private distribution.
Refined and cultured, GEN. STRONG accumulated many original orders, letters
and other papers relating to the Civil War, of great historical value and
interest.
GEN. STRONG was one of
the earliest members of the Loyal Legion, and served one term as Commander
of the order, saying he esteemed it higher than any office in the gift
of the people. He was a man of strong personality, enthusiastic and of
striking appearance, having a "frank, manly and generous disposition; brave,
gallant and chivalric; he illustrated in his own career, the highest and
best type of the American soldier. He was our Chevalier Bayard, 'without
fear and without reproach.' "
CHILDREN
* WILLIAM E. STRONG, JR., b. Apr. 18, 1870.
* HENRIETTA OGDEN STRONG, b. Nov. 19, 1873; m. CHARLES PEMBERTON
WURTS.
Children: HENRIETTA WURTS4244a, b. (???); JOHN JAY WURTS4244b, b. (???).
* MARY OGDEN STRONG, b. July 19, 1876.
History by:
The Ogden Family in America , Page 302
Author: William Ogden Wheeler
Call Number: R929.2 qO341 v.1
Portait by:
U. S. Army
Military History Institute, Carlisle Pa. 17013
RG98S-CWP21.71
Full standing portrait of Lt. Col. William E. Strong, 12th Regt.,
Wisconsin Vol. Inf.
CIVIL WAR
WISCONSIN
INFANTRY
WILLIAM
12TH REGT.
STRONG
