Biography Andrew Gregg Curtin

bust of andrew gregg curtin (1912), moses jacob ezekiel, smith memorial arch, philadelphia, pennsylvania.

curtin strong supporter of president lincoln s policies in civil war, , curtin committed pennsylvania war effort. curtin organized pennsylvania reserves combat units, , oversaw construction of first union military camp training militia. opened in agricultural school nearby harrisburg camp curtin on april 18, 1861, , more 300,000 men drilled there during 4 years. in years followed, curtin became close friend , confidant of abraham lincoln, visiting white house several times in order converse status of war effort.

curtin active during gettysburg campaign, working major general darius n. couch , major granville o. haller delay robert e. lee s army of northern virginia , prevent crossing susquehanna river. major general george g. meade, pennsylvania officer whom curtin had recommended brigadier general , command of 1 of pennsylvania reserve brigades in 1861, defeated lee in battle of gettysburg.

after battle of gettysburg, governor curtin principal force behind establishment of national cemetery there. through agent, david wills, curtin procured attendance of president abraham lincoln @ dedication of cemetery. governor curtin sitting lincoln on platform on november 19, 1863, when lincoln delivered gettysburg address.

in first term, governor curtin suffered severe breakdown stresses of war. secretary of state eli slifer handled governmental affairs during increasingly frequent periods when curtin incapacitated. president lincoln offered governor diplomatic position abroad, chose run reelection in 1863.

to coordinate union war efforts, curtin convened loyal war governors conference on september 24 , 25, 1862, in altoona. event 1 of significant contributions union war effort. formed pennsylvania state agency in washington, , branch in nashville, tennessee, provide support wounded soldiers on battlefield , returned home. founded state-funded orphan s school aid , educate children of military men had died union cause.

soon after war, curtin elected 3rd class companion (i.e. honorary member) of military order of loyal legion of united states in recognition of support union during war.

after war, curtin lost party s senate nomination simon cameron, , appointed ambassador russia president ulysses s. grant. curtin later switched democratic party, , served congressman 1881 until 1887. died @ birthplace of bellefonte, pennsylvania, , buried there in union cemetery.

curtin s family prominent in pennsylvania politics , in civil war. great-grandson of james potter, vice-president of pennsylvania, , grandson of andrew gregg, prominent pennsylvania politician. uncle of john i. gregg , cousin of david mcmurtrie gregg, both union generals in civil war. cousin of col. john i. curtin.