Background

Simon Goodell Griffin was born on August 9, 1824 in Nelson, New Hampshire, the son of Nathan and Sally (Wright) Griffin. Both of his grandfathers, Massachusetts men, served in the Revolution. From early childhood he lived with an uncle, Samuel Griffin of Roxbury, working on the farm for most of the year.

Education

Simon attended district school for a few weeks each winter, until he was able to get a place as a teacher for the short school sessions. He continued farming between school terms as before, and also studied law.

Career

Griffin finally securing admission to the bar in 1860.

Meanwhile he had been elected to the legislature and had served two years there.

At the outbreak of the Civil War he helped to organize a company of the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry, armed with Sharp’s breech-loading rifles instead of the regulation musket.

He was mustered into the service as captain, June 1, 1861, moved with the regiment to Washington three weeks later, and took part in the battle of Bull Run in July, fighting in Burnside’s brigade.

While on a visit to New Hampshire for the purpose of urging the equipment of all new regiments with Sharp's rifles, he was offered promotion in one of them and accordingly resigned, October 31, 1861, to be mustered in as lieutenant-colonel of the 6th New Hampshire, November 28, 1861.

This regiment was designated to take part in Burnside’s expedition to Hatteras and sailed from Annapolis in January 1862.

It remained on Hatteras Island, Roanoke Island, and in that vicinity until July, taking part in minor hostilities, including Reno’s expedition into Camden County.

When the colonel resigned in March, Griffin succeeded to the command of the regiment, and on April 22 was promoted to colonel.

In August the regiment joined Pope’s army in Virginia, and fought at the second battle of Bull Run.

From this time until the end of the war it was a part of the IX Corps, and followed its fortunes, fighting under Burnside in both the east and the west.

After the battles of South Mountain, Antietam (where the regiment was one of those repulsed with heavy loss in the attack on the bridge), and Fredericksburg, it was sent to the department of the Ohio, and then to assist Grant before Vicksburg by blocking Johnston’s movements for the relief of the city.

In October 1863 Griffin, who had been commanding a brigade since May, was assigned to the command of Camp Nelson, Kentucky.

In January 1864, as agent of his state, he visited the New Hampshire regiments in Virginia and North Carolina, in order to assist in the reenlistment of the veteran soldiers whose three-year terms were about to expire.

He rejoined his brigade in March. He was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, May 12, 1864, upon the recommendation of Gen. Burnside, who wrote that he had been “conspicuous for his bravery and gallantry. ” Gen. Parke had made a similar recommendation the previous summer.

Through the Virginia campaign of 1864 he commanded a brigade, fighting in the battles in the Wilderness and the operations against Petersburg.

In March 1865 he succeeded to the command of a division and retained it during the pursuit of Lee’s army.

He was mustered out August 24, 1865, having never been absent a day on account of sickness or wounds, although it is said that two horses were killed and five wounded under him and that seven bullets had passed through his clothes.

Returning to New Hampshire, he engaged in manufacturing in Harrisville until 1873, when he went to Texas and spent some time there, occupied with land and railroad operations, but eventually came back to New Hampshire, settling at Keene. He was a member of the legislature in 1866, 1867, and 1868, being speaker the last two years, and was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in 1871 and 1873.

At the time of his death he had just finished A History of the Town of Keene, which was published in 1904.

Achievements

• Griffin was a prominent Union Army brigadier general during the American Civil War. He became acting division commander during the Appomattox Campaign. He also commanded the division in the Department of Washington after the Confederate surrender.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Celebration by the town of Nelson

    (This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)

  • A History Of The Town Of Keene From 1732: When The Township Was Granted By Massachusetts, To 1874, When It Became A City - Primary Source Edition

    ( This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923....)

  • A history of the town of Keene from 1732, when the township was granted by Massachusetts, to 1874, when it became a city

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

Connections

His first wife, Ursula I. Harris, of Nelson, New Hampshire, died not long after their marriage in 1850; his second wife, whom he married January 1, 1863, was Margaret R. Lamson of Keene.

Father:

Nathan Griffin

Mother:

Sally (Wright) Griffin

Spouse:

Ursula I. Harris

Spouse:

Margaret R. Lamson

Uncle:

Samuel Griffin