George J. Stannard

George Jerrison Stannard
Brig. Gen. George Stannard
Born	(1820-10-20)October 20, 1820 Georgia, Vermont
Died	June 1, 1886(1886-06-01) (aged 65) Washington, D.C.
Place of burial	Lake View Cemetery, Burlington, Vermont
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861 - 1866
Rank	Brevet Major General
Commands held	9th Vermont Infantry 2nd Vermont Brigade
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Other work	United States Revenue Collector for Vermont

George Jerrison Stannard (October 20, 1820 – June 1, 1886) was a Vermont farmer, teacher, governmental official and Union general in the American Civil War.

Stannard was born in Georgia, Vermont. He worked as a farmer, teacher, and foundry operator in St. Albans. Stannard also served as a noncommissioned officer during the Vermont militia's activation for the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1838. Just before the American Civil War, he served as Colonel of the 4th Vermont Militia Regiment.

In June 1861, Stannard was elected lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Vermont Volunteer Infantry. Some local residents claimed that he was the first Vermonter to volunteer for duty in the Civil War. He fought with the 2nd Vermont at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, successfully enough that he was offered command of the newly forming 3rd Vermont, but he turned it down because he thought he had not served long enough to qualify. During the Battle of Williamsburg in the Peninsula Campaign the following year, Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock's report indicated that Stannard was responsible for securing a bridge that was crucial to the battle. A week after the campaign, on July 9, 1862, he was appointed colonel of the 9th Vermont Infantry.

During the Maryland Campaign in September 1862, 9th Vermont was part of the Federal garrison that was forced to surrender to Stonewall Jackson at Harpers Ferry. Stannard was conspicuous in the defense of Bolivar Heights against Jackson's attack. Col. William H. Trimble, his brigade commander, had Stannard accompany him in an inspection of the Union lines in that sector. Both thought the southern end of the line weak. Stannard clearly had no confidence in Col. Dixon Miles, the garrison commander, but he displayed his own coolness under fire by watching for Confederate artillery action in order to tell his men to drop to the ground. Stannard is reported to have tried to extract his regiment from Harpers Ferry before the surrender could take effect, but he was intercepted with orders to yield to the Confederates.