William Thomas Campbell Grower
| William Thomas Campbell Grower | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1840 Leeds, England |
| Died | 1864 Jonesboro, Georgia |
| Place of burial | Greenwood Cemetery, New York City, New York |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands held | 17th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars |
Battle of Second Bull Run Battle of Jonesboro |
William Thomas Campbell Grower was a United States Army Officer in the American Civil War, 1861 to 1865, and serving as the Major of the 17th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1861–1863) and Colonel of the 17th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1863–1865).
William Thomas Campbell Grower was born in Leeds, England, ca. 1840, and at a young age came with his father, James Grower, to the United States, settling in New York City, New York. He received his early education in New York City, and was later employed as a Banker in that city. In 1857 William was married to Miss Sara E. Jones in New York City, and the couple had at least one child, William Frederick who was born on July 23, 1860.
With the secession of South Carolina in December 1860, the remainder of the Southern States throughout 1861, and the calling up of Volunteers to serve in suppressing the Rebellion, William, with the help of other, organized Company D of the 17th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, “The Westchester Chasseurs,” and was mustered into service as the Captain of that Company on May 20, 1861, at New York City, New York, for two years service. With the Regiment he left New York on June 21, 1861, and moved via New Jersey, and Maryland, to Washington, D.C., arriving there on the 23rd. The Regiment spent of the Winter of 1861-1862 in quarters at Hall’s Hill, Virginia, a short distance from Washington, D.C., as part of the Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield’s Brigade of the 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps.
With the close of the winter Captain Grower lead his Company in a reconnaissance towards Manassas Junction, but stopped short at Fairfax Seminary, and then returned to Alexandria, Virginia, where it boarded transports that were to carry the Regiment down to join the remainder of the Army of the Potomac near Hampton Roads, Virginia. From May to July the Regiment was engaged in the marches and movements of the Corps on the Peninsula of Virginia against Richmond, and took part in the Battle of Hanover Courthouse on May 27, 1862. During this campaign Captain Grower was promoted to Major of the Regiment on June 20, 1862, as a result of the promotion of Major N.B. Bartram to Lieutenant Colonel, his rank to take effect from May 10, 1862. Following the withdraw of the Army of the Potomac the Regiment moved to Newport News in August, and then by steamer to Aquia Creek, an uneasy trip in which the first transport carrying them ran aground in the Potomac River, and the men had to transfer to a second steamer to complete their trip, and arriving at that place on the morning of the 20th. From Aquia Creek they moved up to through Fredericksburg, Rapidan, and Warrenton, to Manassas, arriving there early in the morning of the 30th.
The morning of August 30, 1862, found Major Grower commanding the regiment, as the Confederate forces began an advance the Regiment was ordered forward against them, with the rest of the Brigade. Major Grower lead the Regiment forward through a severe fire, and after standing for a short time and suffering terrible losses the Regiment was ordered to fall back when it was unable to be reinforced, they then marched off the field under a severe fire. In the fighting that day the Regiment lost 13 Officers and 250 Enlisted men killed and wounded, among them was Major Grower who had received four separate wounds and was placed out of action for over four months recovering from them.
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