William Pratt Wainwright

After graduating from college, he studied medicine, but did not practice. He traveled to Europe for military studies anfd was at Berlin for some time.

At the outbreak of the War he was appointed Major of the 29th NY, a largely German-speaking regiment.

In June 1862 he was appointed Colonel of the new 76th NY Infantry.

Initially in command of the 76th New York Infantry, he relieved Brigadier General Abner Doubleday as commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division, I Corps when Doubleday took over the Division on September 14th. Doubleday had been called up to replace Brigadier General Hatch, wounded at South Mountain. Col Wainwright was himself wounded in the arm later on September 14th, and was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Hoffman, of the 56th Pennsylvania Infantry. The brigade was held in reserve north of the Poffenberger farm to protect General Hooker's First Corps artillery.

He returned to his regiment at Fredericksburg in December 1862 but resigned due to continuing poor health in June 1863.

Source: Regimental History of the 76th NY, A.P. Smith, 1867 extracted online. The photograph here from one in the MOLLUS collection1.

06/10/1818; New York City, NY

10/17/1895; New York City, NY; burial in Rhinebeck Cemetery, Rhinebeck, NY