William Stretch Abert

William Stretch Abert (February 1, 1836 – August 25, 1867) was an American officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Biography
Abert was born on February 1, 1836, in Washington, D.C. He was the youngest son of Colonel John James Abert, chief of topographical engineers of the US Army. William Abert was appointed lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery in July 1855. At the beginning of the Civil War, Abert was promoted to captain and assigned to the 3rd U.S. Cavalry before serving as an aide to General George B. McClellan. He participated in the battles of the Peninsula Campaign in spring 1862. After the Battle of Antietam he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of volunteers and joined the staff of General Nathaniel Banks. After being promoted to colonel, he was given command of the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment. He was brevetted to Brigadier on March 13, 1865, for "bravery and meritorious service during the war". After the war, he returned to the army and was promoted to major in June 1867 in the United States 7th U.S. Cavalry.

Colonel Abert died on August 25, 1867, in Galveston, Texas, from yellow fever, which was an epidemic on the Gulf Coast at that time, with his death being announced by General Charles Griffin, "paying a high tribute to his memory". Abert is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, DC.

General references

 * The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography (p. 396)