History of Nelson, (Cheshire County) New Hampshire United States of America

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Simon Goodell Griffin, soldier, was born in Nelson, N.H., Aug. 9, 1824; son of Nathan and Sally (Wright) Griffin. His grandfathers, Samuel Griffin and Nehemiah Wright, were soldiers in the American Revolution, both being present at the battle of Bunker Hill. His father being an invalid, the care of seven children devolved on the mother and when Simon was six years old he was sent to Roxbury, N.H., where he found a Home and plenty of hard work with his uncle, Gen. Samuel Griffin, a farmer, who had been a soldier in the war of 1812. He was given a district school eduction and when eighteen years old was himself a district school teacher. He confirmed his studies, teaching and farm work, studied law, was elected to the state legislature, 1859-60, and during his second term served as chairman of the committee on education. He was admitted to the bar in 1860 and was practising at Concord, N.H., when the civil war broke out. He volunteered as a private in the 2d N.H. volunteers, was promoted captain, and at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, he lost of his company twelve men killed and wounded. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 6th N.H. volunteers, Oct. 26, 1861, and was with General Burnside's expedition to North Carolina in January, 1862. He was made colonel of the regiment, April 22, 1802. He was in command of the expedition that captured Elizabeth City, N.C., in April, 1862, and with his regiment made a decisive charge at Camden, N.C., which won the battle. He commanded a brigade of the 9th corps at second Bull Run, Chantilly and South Mountain, and at Antietam Creek he charged the stone bridge at the head of the 6th New Hampshire volunteers, and planted its colors on the heights. For this action Burnside commended him for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general. In 1863 when Burnside was assigned to the command of the department of Ohio, Colonel Griffin was given permanent command of the 1st brigade, 2d division, 9th army corps, and was with General Sherman in the defence of the rear of Grant's army before Vicksburg and was in the advance line which entered the city of Jackson when it was captured. He then joined Burnside at Knoxville, commanded Camp Nelson, Ky., where he had 9000 troops under his command, and in the spring of 1864 with his corps joined the army of the Potomac on the Rapidan. His brigade was the right of the 9th corps and on the left of Hancock in the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, where he ably supported that officer in the five hours' onslaught made against that flank of the army. Upon the recommendation of Grant and Burnside he was for his action in this battle made brigadier general of volunteers. He commanded a brigade at North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church and Cold Harbor, and commanded two brigades in the assault on the enemy's works in front of Petersburg, June 16, 1864, seizing one mile of intrenchments and capturing a stand of colors, four field pieces, 1500 stand of arms, a quantity of ammunition and one thousand prisoners. On not receiving support he was obliged to fall back. He then engaged in the battle of the Mine, the battle on the Wilderness road at Poplar Springs church, and that at Hatcher's Run. He commanded the line near the Jerusalem Pike, April 1, 1865, and under orders attacked the enemy's picket line and swept it for a mile, capturing eight officers and 241 men, when he received orders to withdraw his troops and he joined in the attack on the main works a mile distant. This difficult feat was accomplished and with Hartranft on his right and Curtin on his left he led the charge over the abatis and the parapets, seized the works, captured the guns and hundreds of prisoners, and held the town. The news of this assault determined President Davis to evacuate Richmond and for this action General Griffin was brevetted major general of volunteers. With his division he followed the fleeing Confederates and was a part of the military cordon that encompassed Lee's army and compelled its surrender. He was mustered out of the volunteer service, Aug. 24, 1865. He was never wounded and never lost a day's duty from sickness, although he had seven bullet holes in his clothing, had two horses killed and five wounded under him in action, had half his men killed or wounded at second Bull Run, one-third at Fredericksburg, and one-fifth at Antietam. He declined an appointment in the regular service; was a representative in the New Hampshire legislature, 1867-69; speaker of the house, 1868-69; and was chairman of the Republican state convention of 1868. In 1887 and 1888 he was commander of the Massachusetts commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He became extensively interested in land and railroad enterprises in Texas and devoted much time to historical literary work. He died in Keene, N.H., Jan. 14, 1902.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Nelson, (Cheshire County) New Hampshire

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