I had not heard of this fellow before, but I gather he was rather famous for rising through the ranks. He was not a very large man, but as a lawyer graduated 1st in his class at Harvard Law School. So if he couldn't thump you, he could at least make you wish you had been!-

When the war broke out, enlisted as a private in a Mass. or NY regt and rose through the ranks.

Understand he used to keep stragglers moving by having other troops marching behind with fixed bayonets...lol.

Was he a serious soldier, or just another political appointee?

I know he had some good engagements, but got his nose bloodied a few times. Captured a passle of rebs one time during the Wilderness I think it was. Sorry for misinformation, am in need fo correction.

Mac