The Biographical Dictionary of America/Andrews, George Leonard

ANDREWS, George Leonard, soldier, was born at Bridgewater, Mass., Aug. 31, 1828. In 1847 he entered the U. S. military academy at West Point, where he was graduated in 1851 at the head of his class. He was commissioned brevet 2d lieutenant in the U. S. engineer corps, and served three years as assistant to Col. Sylvanus Thayer, during which time he superintended the erection of fortifications in Boston harbor. In 1854 he served as instructor in the department of military engineering at the military academy. He resigned his commission in 1855 and became a civil engineer. On the breaking out of the civil war he entered the volunteer army as lieutenant-colonel of the 2d Massachusetts infantry, of which he was made colonel June 13, 1862. He commanded the regiment in the battles of Winchester and at Cedar Mountain. He fought at Second Bull Run, Chantilly, and Antietam, and was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers Nov. 10, 1862, for "distinguished bravery." In 1863 he joined the Red River expedition, served as a brigade commander, and was chief of staff to General Banks from March 6 to July 9, 1863. He took part in the Teche campaign, participating in the combat at Fort Bisland, the advance upon Opelousas and Alexandria, and the siege of Port Hudson, of which place he received the surrender. He took charge of the organization of the colored troops, at first known as the "Corps d' Afrique," having at one time under his command nineteen thousand colored soldiers. From Dec. 28, 1864, to Feb. 13, 1865, he commanded the military district including Port Hudson and Baton Rouge, and from Feb. 27 to June 6, 1865, he officiated as provost marshal-general of the army of the Gulf. He was present at the attacks on the city and defences of Mobile, and was brevetted major-general of volunteers for "faithful and meritorious services" during these engagements. In June, 1865, he was appointed chief of staff to Major-General Canby, serving in that capacity until Aug. 24, 1865, when he was honorably mustered out of service. From 1865 to 1867 he was a planter in Washington county, Miss., and from 1867 to 1871 he served as U. S. marshal for the district of Massachusetts. In 1871 he was appointed by President Grant professor of the French language in the U. S. military academy, and by the operation of law became the professor of modern languages in 1882. He was retired from active service Aug. 13, 1892. He died in Brookline, Mass., April 4, 1899.