General who rose from the ranks of the 14th Infantry

General John Fulton Reynolds

One of the best Union corps commanders, John F. Reynolds was destined to fall in the defense of his native state. The Pennsylvanian West Pointer (1841) had been posted to the artillery with which he won two Mexican War brevets. In the interwar period was an instructor and commandant of cadets at his alma mater and upon the outbreak of the Civil War was made second in command of one of the newly authorized regular army infantry regiments. His assignments included: Captain, Third Third Artillery (since March 3, 1855); Lieutenant Colonel, 

14th infantry (May 14, 1861); 

Brigadier General, USV (August 20, 1861); Commanding 1st Brigade, McCall's Division, Army of the Potomac (March 13-April 4, 1862); Commanding 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of the Rappahannock (April 4-June 12, 1862); Commanding 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac (June 18-27, 1862); Commanding 3rd Division, 3rd Corps Army of Virginia (August 26-September 12, 1862); Commanding Pennsylvania Militia (September 13-ca. 29, 1862); Commanding 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac (September 29, 1862-January 2, 1862); Major General USV (November 29, 1862); Colonel, 5th Infantry (June 1, 1863); 

He was assigned to the command of a brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves which he trained in the Washington area. After service in northern Virginia, the division was moved to the Peninsula where during the Seven Days it fought in the defense at Beaver Dam Creek. The next day the command was again engaged at Gaines' Mill and following the close of the action Reynolds fell asleep after being cut off from his troops. Captured the next morning, he was exchanged on August 13, 1862 in time to command the Pennsylvania Reserves in the defeat at Second Bull Run. At the request of Pennsylvania's Governor Andrew G. Curtin.