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Civil War Soldiers - Osborn
| Osborn, Thomas O., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in Jersey, Licking county, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1832. He
attended Delaware college, was graduated at the University of Ohio
with the degree of A. B. in 1854 and A. M. in 1857, studied law with
Gen. Lew Wallace and began to practice in Chicago in 1859. He offered
his services to the government at the beginning of the Civil war, was
instrumental in enlisting and organizing the 39th Ill. regiment,
became lieutenant-colonel of that organization, Oct. 11, 1861, and its
colonel, Jan. 1, 1862. Being detailed to guard the Baltimore & Ohio
railroad in West Virginia, he engaged Jackson's forces during the raid
into Morgan county and held the superior Confederate force in check
for several hours, afterwards making good his escape across the
Potomac with small loss. He was engaged in the battle of Winchester,
March 23, 1862, and commanded a brigade in the operations against the
forts in Charleston harbor in 1863. He accompanied Gen. Butler up the
James river in May, 1864, was severely wounded at Drewry's bluff,
where he lost the use of his right arm, and at the siege of Petersburg
he commanded the 1st brigade, 1st division, 24th army corps. He made a
gallant charge and was instrumental with his brigade in the capture of
Fort Gregg, April 2, 1865, and for this service was promoted
brigadier-general on May 1, 1865, and he took an important part in the
subsequent operations leading to the surrender of Lee's army. He was
given the brevet rank of brigadier-general of volunteers, March 10,
1865, and that of major- general on April 2, in recognition of gallant
and meritorious services in front of Richmond and Petersburg. Gen.
Osborn resigned his commission, Sept. 28, 1865, and resumed his law
practice in Chicago, becoming also treasurer of Cook county and a
manager of the national soldiers' home. He was a commissioner to
settle the disputed claims between the United States and Mexico, and
from 1874-85 was United States consul- general and minister-resident
to the Argentine Republic. He was subsequently engaged in railroad
enterprises in Brazil but retained his residence in Chicago. He died,
Dec. 20, 1898.
Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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