History of Willistown, (Chester County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Israel Vogdes, soldier, was born in Willistown, Pa., Aug. 4, 1816. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy, July 1, 1837; was assistant professor of mathematics at the academy, 1837-43; promoted 1st lieutenant, July 9, 1838; principal assistant professor of mathematics, 1843-49; promoted captain, Aug. 20, 1847, and served in the Seminole Indian war, 1849-56. He was a member of the board to arrange the programme of instruction at the Artillery School for Practice, Fort Monroe, Va., 1858-61. He took part in the defence of Fort Pickens in 1861, being in command of the works, April 11-16, 1861; was promoted major, 1st artillery, May 14, 1861, and took part in the defence of Santa Rosa island, Fla., against the Confederate attack, Oct. 9, 1861, where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war until August, 1862. He served on the Pennsylvania border on the staff of Gen. J. F. Reynolds during the Maryland campaign of 1862; was promoted brigadier-general, U.S.V., Nov. 29, 1862; was in command of Folly Island, S.C., April-July, 1863; constructed the batteries on Lighthouse Inlet for the attack on Morris Island in July, 1863; was promoted lieutenant-colonel, 5th artillery, June 1, 1863; colonel of 1st artillery, Aug. 1, 1863; took part in the operations against Fort Sumter; was in command of the defences of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., 1864-65; and was brevetted brigadier-general, U.S.A., April 9, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services on the field during the Rebellion. He commanded a district in Florida until September, 1865; was on waiting orders, 1865-66; and was mustered out of the volunteer service, Jan. 15, 1866. He commanded the 1st artillery at Fort Hamilton, N.Y., 1866-81, and was retired at his own request, Jan. 2, 1881. He died in New York city, Dec. 7, 1889.

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

History of Willistown, (Chester County) Pennsylvania

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