Francis J. Herron
| Francis Jay Herron | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
February 17, 1837 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 8, 1902 (aged 64) New York City, New York |
| Place of burial | Calvary Cemetery, Queens, New York |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Unit | 9th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Commands held |
Army of the Frontier XIII Corps |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Francis Jay Herron (February 17, 1837 – January 8, 1902), was a Union general during the American Civil War.
Francis J. Herron attended the Western University of Pennsylvania, but left at the age of sixteen without completing his degree to become a bank clerk. In 1855, he joined his three brothers in Dubuque, Iowa, where they established a bank. In 1859, he organized and was elected captain of a militia company known as the "Governor's Grays," which Herron offered to President-elect Abraham Lincoln in January 1861, two months prior to Lincoln's inauguration.
In April 1861, Herron was appointed captain of the 1st Iowa Volunteer Regiment. He served with Nathaniel Lyon's forces in Missouri, participating in the battles of Boonville and Wilson's Creek. In August, Herron was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 9th Iowa Volunteer Regiment and fought in the battle of Pea Ridge, where he was wounded and taken prisoner, but exchanged shortly afterwards. He received a promotion to brigadier general of volunteers for his actions in this battle, and later received the Medal of Honor. He commanded both the 2nd and 3rd Divisions of the Army of the Frontier and made a forced march of 114 miles (183 km) in three days to join James G. Blunt's division in western Arkansas. Herron's and Blunt's combined command engaged Thomas C. Hindman in the battle of Prairie Grove and forced the Confederates to abandon western Arkansas. For his actions at Prairie Grove, Herron was appointed major general of volunteers, becoming the youngest major general on either side at the time of his promotion.
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