Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He began his service in the Union Army on June 4, 1861 when he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in Company H, 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry. Promoted to Captain and commander of the company on September 12, 1861, he led his men through the Spring 1862 Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. He was then tabbed to be the Lieutenant Colonel of the newly raised 19th Maine Volunteer Infantry, being commissioned on August 26, 1862. He was raised to Colonel and regimental commander on February 12, 1863, and led the unit at the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where it fought on Cemetery Ridge during the Second Day (July 2) of the battle. There, placed by Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, Colonel Heath directed his men as they fired eight volleys that stopped the Confederate charge on the position. He would continue to lead the regiment through the summer and fall of 1863, then resigned on November 4, 1863. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "meritorious services". Today a monument stands for the 19th Maine Infantry on Hancock Avenue near the Copse of Trees in the Gettysburg National Military Park.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He began his service in the Union Army on June 4, 1861 when he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in Company H, 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry. Promoted to Captain and commander of the company on September 12, 1861, he led his men through the Spring 1862 Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. He was then tabbed to be the Lieutenant Colonel of the newly raised 19th Maine Volunteer Infantry, being commissioned on August 26, 1862. He was raised to Colonel and regimental commander on February 12, 1863, and led the unit at the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where it fought on Cemetery Ridge during the Second Day (July 2) of the battle. There, placed by Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, Colonel Heath directed his men as they fired eight volleys that stopped the Confederate charge on the position. He would continue to lead the regiment through the summer and fall of 1863, then resigned on November 4, 1863. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "meritorious services". Today a monument stands for the 19th Maine Infantry on Hancock Avenue near the Copse of Trees in the Gettysburg National Military Park.
Bio by: RPD2
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