History of East Liberty, (Allegheny County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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James Scott Negley, soldier, was born in East Liberty, Allegheny county, Pa., Dec. 22, 1826; son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Scott) Negley; grandson of Jacob Negley, and of Swiss ancestry. He was graduated from the Western University of Pennsylvania at Allegheny, in 1846, and enlisted as a private in the 1st Pennsylvania regiment for service in the Mexican war. In April, 1861, he raised and equipped a brigade of volunteers and with three regiments reported to the governor at Harrisburg, April 28, 1861, and was assigned to the corps commanded by Gen. Robert Patterson. His first battle was at Falling Waters, Va., July 2, 1861, where he followed up the retreating forces of Gen. T. J. Jackson to Martinsburg, and gained permission from General Patterson to cut the Confederate communications between Winchester and Bull Run, but after he had proceeded on the expedition, was ordered to return and the disastrous battle of Bull Run, July 21 1861, followed. At the end of his three months' service he was re-commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers and was placed in command of the volunteer camp at Harrisburg, but was soon after ordered to Pittsburg to hold his brigade in readiness to join General Rosecrans in western Virginia. He was, however, ordered by the President to re-inforce General Sherman at Louisville, Ky., and subsequently served under General Buell in northern Alabama and Tennessee, where he commanded one of the columns of Mitchell's force, comprised of about 6000 men. In May, 1862, he surprised the Confederate cavalry under Col. Wirt Adams, at Sweeden's Cave, killing and capturing a large number and putting the remainder to flight. He was then ordered to take the town of Chattanooga, and after shelling the place was unable to cross the river from need of boats, and was ordered back by General Mitchell, June 9. He was promotedmajor-general of volunteers for gallantry at Stone's river, Nov. 29, 1862, where he commanded the second (late eighth) division, 14th army corps, Gen. George H. Thomas, and occupied the centre of the line of battle, where he greatly distinguished himself. He was also present at the battle of Chattanooga, Sept. 19-20, 1862, where he re-captured 50 pieces of artillery abandoned by the right wing of Rosecrans' army, and was charged with disobedience of orders, but was exonerated by a court-martial convened at his request. He was honorably discharged, Jan. 19, 1865, returned to Pittsburg and engaged in business. He was the Republican representative from the twenty-second Pennsylvania district in the 41st, 42d, 44th and 49th congresses, 1869-73, 1875-77, and 1885-87. He was a manager of the National Home for Volunteers for fifteen years; president of the National Union League of America; a member of the G.A.R. Veteran legion; Scott's legion; Military Order of Foreign Wars, and other patriotic orders. He was twice married; first to Kate Losey of Pittsburg, and secondly in 1869, to Grace Ashton of Philadelphia, who with three daughters survived him. He received the honorary degree of A.M. from the College of New Jersey, in 1875. He died in Plainfield, N.J., Aug. 7, 1901.

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

History of East Liberty, (Allegheny County) Pennsylvania

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