Person Information

Biography

John Gray Foster was born in Whitefield, New Hampshire, to Perley Foster and Mary (Gray) Foster. He attended West Point Academy from 1842-1846 and graduated fourth in his class. After graduation, he was commissioned to the Army Corps of Engineers and then served during the Mexican-American War with General Scott. After the war, he continued to serve with the Corps of Engineers and with the U.S. Coast Survey. In 1858, Foster was engaged to help in the construction of Fort Sumter in South Carolina. In October 1861, he was appointed Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers and in 1862 he took command of the Department of North Carolina. He replaced General Burnside in December 1863 as commander of the Department of the Ohio. He relinquished command of the department in February 1864. He served the remainder of the war in various positions. He is likely referenced in a letter written by Henry Onderdonk Chesebro to then-acting Secretary of State, William H. Seward, dated March 30, 1864.

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 

John Gray Foster was born in Whitefield, New Hampshire, to Perley Foster and Mary (Gray) Foster. He attended West Point Academy from 1842-1846 and graduated fourth in his class. After graduation, he was commissioned to the Army Corps of Engineers and then served during the Mexican-American War with General Scott. After the war, he continued to serve with the Corps of Engineers and with the U.S. Coast Survey. In 1858, Foster was engaged to help in the construction of Fort Sumter in South Carolina. In October 1861, he was appointed Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers and in 1862 he took command of the Department of North Carolina. He replaced General Burnside in December 1863 as commander of the Department of the Ohio. He relinquished command of the department in February 1864. He served the remainder of the war in various positions. He is likely referenced in a letter written by Henry Onderdonk Chesebro to then-acting Secretary of State, William H. Seward, dated March 30, 1864.

Citation Type: 
Journal Article
Journal or Newspaper Title: 
The Granite Monthly: A New Hampshire Magazine, Volume 26
Article Title: 
"Biographical Sketch of Maj. - Gen. John G. Foster, Son of New Hampshire, Soldier of the Republic
Year: 
1899
Volume: 
26
Start Page: 
331
End Page: 
344
Citation Notes: 
https://books.google.com/books?id=LZkbAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA331#v=onepage&q&f=false
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
Ancestry.com
Title of Webpage: 
Ancestry.com
Website Viewing Date: 
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - 10:45
Website Last Modified Date: 
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - 10:45
Citation Notes: 
Source Citation Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database Source Information Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Original data: Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
Ancestry.com
Title of Webpage: 
Ancestry.com
Website Viewing Date: 
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - 10:45
Website Last Modified Date: 
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - 10:45
Citation Notes: 
Source Information Ancestry.com. New Hampshire, U.S., Death and Burial Records Index, 1654-1949 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "New Hampshire Death Records, 1654–1947." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2010. New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records. "Death Records, 1654–1947." Bureau of Vital Records, Concord, New Hampshire. "New Hampshire Deaths and Burials, 1784–1949." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.