John F. Reynolds
as Portrayed by Michael A. Riley                                 Reynolds Painting by Dale Gallon  

John F. Reynolds was born in Lancaster, PA in 1820. He graduated from West Point in 1841. His career in the Regular Army included service in the Mexican War, the Utah Expedition, and various campaigns against the Indians. He received two brevet promotions for gallantry and meritorious conduct during the Mexican War. In 1860, he was appointed commandant of cadets and instructor of tactics at West Point, where he served until the outbreak of the Civil War.

Reynolds' first command during the Civil War was a brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserve Division. In June of 1862, Reynolds served as military governor of Fredericksburg, VA. After the battle of Gaines Mill, he was captured by Confederates and was later exchanged. He commanded the Pennsylvania Reserve Division at Second Manassas and led the Pennsylvania militia during the Maryland Campaign. Promoted to major general, U.S. Volunteers, he commanded the First Corps of the Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

The day before the Battle of Gettysburg, George Meade placed Reynolds in command of the three corps which formed the left wing of the army. In Gettysburg, on July 1, 1863, he came to the aid of General Buford’s cavalry by directing the deployment of the Iron Brigade. While urging his men to advance on the persistent Confederate forces, Major General John Fulton Reynolds, one of the most respected, courageous and most competent Union officers, was struck in the neck by a mini ball and died instantly.

You can read more about the life and career of General Reynolds in Michael Riley’s book “For Gods Sake Forward.”     

                                                     "Time To Fight" by Dale Gallon
                                                           www.gallon.com