Griffin, Simon G., brigadier-general, was born in Nelson,
N. H., Aug. 9, 1824. He was educated at Roxbury, N. H.,
taught school, represented his native town in the state
legislature, 1859-60, studied law and was admitted to the bar,
and in 1860 began to practice in Concord.
Being commissioned captain in the 2nd N. H. volunteers at the
beginning of the Civil war, he fought at
Bull Run,
was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 6th N. H. regiment in the
fall of 1861, commanded his regiment in Burnside's expedition to North
Carolina in Jan., 1862, and on April 22 was
promoted colonel.
He distinguished himself in April
by capturing, with 600 men
and the aid of five gun-boats, a number of prisoners and
stands of arms at
Elizabeth
City, N. C., and again at
Camden,
where his regiment fought with such notable gallantry that it
was permitted to inscribe "Camden
April 19, 1862," upon its
colors.
He commanded a brigade at
second
Bull Run, Chantilly
and South mountain, and at
Antietam
he charged the stone
bridge and carried it in the face of a heavy fire. He was
present at
Fredericksburg,
where his regiment lost one-third
its number, and in May, 1863, was given permanent command of
the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 9th army corps, and with it
joined
Sherman
in the defense of the rear of Grant's army
before
Vicksburg.
He then joined Burnside at Knoxville, commanded Camp Nelson,
Ky., where he was at the head of 9,000 troops, and in 1864
joined the Army of the Potomac on the Rapidan, commanding his brigade
in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House, and so
distinguishing himself in the last named battle that on Gen.
Grant's recommendation he was promoted brigadier-general.
Gen. Griffin commanded a brigade at the North Anna,
Totopotomy, Bethesda church and Cold Harbor, and commanded two
brigades in the assault on Petersburg, carrying the works and
capturing 1,000 prisoners, together with arms, ammunition and
artillery. On April 2, 1865, he arranged and planned the
assault at "Fort
Hell", and for gallant conduct was brevetted
major-general of volunteers, participating afterward in the
pursuit and capture of Lee's army.
He was mustered out of the volunteer service, Aug. 24, 1865, declined
an appointment in the regular army and returned to New Hampshire,
where he was a representative in the state legislature, 1867-69, was
chairman of the Republican state convention in 1868, and in 1888
commander of the Massachusetts commandery of the military order of the
Loyal Legion.
He subsequently became extensively interested in land and railroad
enterprises in Texas and devoted much time to literary work. Gen.
Griffin died Jan.4, 1902.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 8
