Gen. James Scott Negley (December 26, 1826 – August 7, 1901) grew up in Pennsylvania, graduated from Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh) and served in the 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Mexican-American War before becoming a farmer and horticulturist. His sister married industrialist Thomas Mellon.
Appointed a brigadier general, he raised a brigade in Pennsylvania, then gained command of the 7th Brigade in the Department of Ohio.
He commanded the Union raid on Chattanooga during the Confederate Heartland Offensive and proved that the Union army could attack deep within Confederate territory.
In November 1862, he took command of the Army of Ohio’s 8th Division, fighting under George H. Thomas at the Battle of Stones River. On the second day, he led a successful counterattack against Breckinridge.
Negley’s command became scattered in the fighting at Chickamauga, and he was relieved of command for disappearing during the fighting. He was later acquitted of wrongdoing but served on administrative boards until he resigned in January 1865.
He served in Congress for 18 years after the war and on the Board of Managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. After retiring from Congress, he worked in railroading.
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Key Facts
- Union Gen. James Negley played a pivotal role in the union victory at the Battle of Murfreesboro.
- Nashville’s Fort Negley, built in 1862, was named for him. It was the largest inland stone fort built in the war.
