William Stretch Abert

Son of Colonel John James Abert, Army Chief of Topographical Engineers, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, 4th US Artillery on 18 June 1855, and First Lieutenant on 31 March 1857. He was promoted to Captain, 3rd US Cavalry on 14 May 1861 (it became the 6th Cavalry on 3 August 1861). He had service in the West, including on the Utah Expedition, and at posts in Florida, New York, and Virginia. He was on the Pennisular Campaign in command of Company D, and was honored by brevet to Major on 27 May 1862 for action at Hanover Court House. He was assigned as aide-de-camp to General McClellan in July.

He was later honored by brevet to Lieutenant Colonel for gallantry at Antietam.

He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Inspector General on 17 November 1862 and was on General Nathaniel Bank's staff to October 1864, serving on the Gulf coast. He was appointed Colonel of Volunteers and given command of the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and served with them in the Defenses of Washington to the end of the War. He was awarded his third brevet, to Brigadier General, in March 1865 for War service. He mustered out of the Volunteer service in September 1865.

At his permanent rank of Captain, 6th Cavalry, he returned to Regular Army service, and went to Texas with his Regiment. He was promoted to Major, 7th US Cavalry on 8 June 1867, but died not long after, at Galveston, of yellow fever.

Basic service information from Heitman1. Details from a bio sketch by Don Caughey on Crossed Sabres. His photo from one of unknown provenance, posted to Abert's gravesite by Ethan F. Bishop.

02/01/1836; Washington, DC

08/25/1867; Galveston, TX; burial in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC