Julius White

Photograph of Julius White

Library of Congress

Quick Facts

Significance:

Union Brigadier General, Brevet Major General (post war)

Place Of Birth:

Cazenovia, NY

Date Of Birth:

September 23, 1816

Place Of Death:

Chicago, IL

Date Of Death:

May 12, 1890

Place Of Burial:

Chicago, IL

Cemetery Name:

Rosehill Cemetery

From the Peninsula to Maryland: White's role in the summer of 1862

Prior to the Civil War, Julius White was a politician and businessman in Chicago. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he formed the 37th Illinois Infantry and was commissioned as Colonel on September 18, 1861. He led the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division of the Army of the Southeast at the Battle of Pea Ridge and because of his actions there, was promoted in June 1862 to Brigadier General of Volunteers stationed at Winchester, Virginia.

White was the garrison commander at Martinsburg, Virginia and was the officer who surrendered Harpers Ferry to "Stonewall" Jackson on September 15, 1862 after Harpers Ferry's garrison commander, Colonel Dixon S. Miles, was mortally wounded. Following the surrender White was soon paroled by the Confederates. When the Federals started a military investigation into the Harpers Ferry surrender, he was arrested but later cleared of all charges.

White was later assigned to command the Eastern District of Kentucky where he supported the campaign led by General Burnside. Before resigning due to illness, White was the Chief of Staff of the 9th Army Corps. At the end of the war he was recognized for his service when brevetted major general. Following the war, he returned to Illinois and served as the first chairman of the board of commissioners in Cook County.