General David B. Birney's Headquarters

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David Bell Birney, son of anti-slavery leader James G. Birney, was born at Huntsville, Alabama on May 29, 1825. After graduation from Andover young Birney entered business, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He moved to Philadelphia, was active in business, and practiced law from 1856 until the outbreak of the Civil War. Birney began as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Pennsylvania, a three-month militia regiment. When his unit became a three-year regiment he was commissioned its colonel and on February 17, 1862 became brigadier general of volunteers. His first important field command was a brigade of Philip Kearny's division of III Corps, which he led through the Peninsular Campaign. He was tried and acquitted of disobedience of an order allegedly issued at the Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines), was restored to command, and fought at Chantilly in support of John Pope's Army of Virginia. Succeeding Kearny in command of the division, Birney served with distinction with the Army of the Potomac until July 1864. He was again charged with dereliction of duty at Fredericksburg, but the charge was not substantiated and Birney was, in fact, highly praised by General George /graphics/stoneman. Birney was promoted to major general on May 20, 1863 for his leadership at Chancellorsville and commanded the III Corps at Gettysburg after the wounding of General Daniel Sickles. He took part in the Overland campaign and on July 23, 1864 was selected by General U.S. Grant to command the X Corps. However, Birney fell ill with malaria, was ordered home to Philadelphia, and died of malaria on October 18, 1864.