Edward Ratchford Geary, "Boy Captain."

Edward R. Geary.
"Boy Captain."

Edward Ratchford Geary was born at Salem, Westmoreland, County, Pennsylvania, on September 1, 1845, and was killed in the midnight battle at Wauhatehie, Tennessee, Ocyober 29, 1863, being only eighteen year and two monthsold when killed.  His body was sent home and buried at Newsalem Pennsylvania.  He was musteredinto Knap's Independent Battery E., Pennsylvania Light Artillery, as Second Lieutenant, on September 8, 1861.  He was wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain Virginia, on August 9, 1862.  On July 16, 1863, he was promoted from Second to First Lieutenant, and was commissioned Captain of Hampton Battery F., on October 20, 1863, but was killed before being mustered in.  On March 13, 1865, he was Breveted Major and Lieutenant Colonel.

While the battery was encamped on Maryland Heights in the fall of 1863, Lieutenant Geary was unanimously elected Captain of Hampton Battery.  His commission from the State of Pennsylvania, dated October 29, 1863, was forewarded to his father John W. Geary, then in command of the White Star Division of the Twelfth Corps.  He had his son's commission in his pocket when Captain Geray was killed.