Paul Ambrose Oliver

Paul Ambrose Oliver (July 18, 1831 – May 17, 1912) was an American explosives inventor, American Civil War Union Army captain and staff officer who was appointed to the brevet grade of brigadier general and Medal of Honor recipient.[1] He was born on the ship Louisiana, his father's merchant ship, during one of its voyages in the English Channel. Before the Civil War, he worked as a shipping merchant.[1]

For the researcher into architecture and blues music, see Paul Oliver.
Paul Ambrose Oliver
Oliver in 1875
Born(1831-07-18)July 18, 1831
English Channel
DiedMay 17, 1912(1912-05-17) (aged 80)
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service/branchUnited States Army
Union Army
RankCaptain
Unit Company D, 12th New York Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
AwardsMedal of Honor

In January 1862, Oliver joined the 12th New York Volunteer Infantry as a second lieutenant.[1] During the war, he served as an aide to no fewer than four generals, including Daniel Butterfield, George Meade, Joseph Hooker and Gouverneur K. Warren.[1] While he accepted a promotion to captain in April 1864, he declined further promotions. On March 8, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Oliver for appointment as a brevet brigadier general to rank from March 8, 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 10, 1865.[2] Oliver resigned his commission on May 6, 1865.[1]

Oliver was an inventor and powder manufacturer after the Civil War.[1]

Paul Ambrose Oliver died May 17, 1912 at Laurel Run, Pennsylvania.[1] He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.[1]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain, Company D, 12th New York Infantry. Place and date: Resaca, Ga., 15 May 1864. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Born: 18 July 1831, at sea in the English Channel. Date of issue: 12 October 1892.

While acting as aide assisted in preventing a disaster caused by Union troops firing into each other.

Notes
  1. Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3. p. 409
  2. Eicher, 2001, p. 754

References
  • Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.


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