Ryerson, George N

George N Ryerson

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company B, 19th Illinois Infantry

Place of Birth:

New York, USA

Date of Birth:

1840

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

01/02/1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

George N Ryerson was born in 1840 in New York. He mustered into company B of the 19th Illinois infantry under Negley's division at the age of 21 as a Corporal.

On the first day of the Battle of Stones River, the 19th Illinois were caught in some of the most gruesome, deadly fighting of December 31st. This area would later be named the "Slaughter Pen" by the men from Chicago because of the bloodied grounds they saw as they retreated to safety. Miraculously, Ryerson survived that first, tragic day and went to a new position on the battlefield.

On January 2nd, what remained of Negley's division was moved back to the west fork of Stones River to await movement from the Confederates. When they emerged in the Stones River valley, the men of the 19th Illinois led a charge into the icy waters of the Stones River without orders, and stopped the efforts of Bragg's men to take the area. During this charge, the 19th Illinois lost 109 men including Corporal Ryerson.

Ryerson was 23 years old when he lost his life at the Battle of Stones River. He is laid to rest in plot F-2597 in the Stones River National Cemetery.