Reynolds, John Fulton

Reynolds, John Fulton, 1820–63, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Lancaster, Pa. He distinguished himself in the Mexican War. In the Civil War, Reynolds was made (Aug., 1861) a brigadier general of volunteers. In the Seven Days battles (July, 1862), he was captured at Gaines's Mill but was exchanged in time to command a division at the second battle of Bull Run (Aug., 1862). In November he was made commander of the 1st Corps of the Army of the Potomac and promoted to major general. He rendered able service in the battles of Fredericksburg (Dec., 1862) and Chancellorsville (May, 1863). In the Gettysburg campaign Reynolds directed the fighting on the first day (July 1, 1863) until he was killed.

See biography by E. J. Nichols (1958).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. History: Biographies