General Matthew Henry Avery (USA)

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He served during the Civil War first as Colonel and commander of the 10th New York Volunteer Cavalry, then as Colonel and commander of the 1st New York Provisional Cavalry. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for “gallantry in action at Sailor’s Creek, Va., and for faithful and meritorious services”. (bio by: Russ Dodge) 

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Matthew Henry Avery owned a book and stationary business in Syracuse at the outbreak of the war. Avery, caught up in the patriotic fervor prevalent in the North when the Union was defeated at Bull Run, raised the 10th New York cavalry at Syracuse and was soon appointed as captain. He was wounded and subsequently brevetted brigadier general.

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THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. I, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. Found in the DAR Library, Washington DC. Page 415.

He was captain of the 10th NY Cavalry, colonel, Dec., 1864; brevet brigadier-general, March, 1865; was in twenty engagements; acquitted himself with great gallantry; after the war engaged in the oil business; member of Bradford, PA Oil exchange.

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Matthew Henry Avery had field command of the 10th NY for most of its time in service. He was born in Middletown Springs, VT, on March 27, 1836. The son of a Congregational minister, he owned a book and stationery business in Syracuse at the outbreak of the war. Avery was described as being “a very popular young man, and enjoyed a large circle of acquaintance, his warm heart, genial manners, and happy temperament winning all hearts.” Avery, caught up in the patriotic fervor prevalent in the North when the bluecoats were defeated at Bull Run, raised a company of cavalry at Syracuse and was soon appointed as captain. In September of 1861, Avery's Company A was mustered into service and transferred to Elmira where the other companies were to gather. Soon after, Avery's military talents attracted the attention of his superiors and he was chosen by the line officers of the regiment to be the senior major. By all accounts he was a good commander, and cool under pressure. He was known to survey an unfolding battle and calmly put his pipe back in its case before issuing an order. He had a deep, “stentorian” voice that carried well. Despite his strict Puritan upbringing, he had a great sense of fun, and his favorite song was “Son of a Gambolier” (a version of which later became famous as the Georgia Tech fight song.)

Made Colonel on November 30, 1864, Avery was wounded on December 1 but returned to the regiment to serve until the end of the war, leading the famous charge at Sailor’s Creek on April 6, 1865. He was transferred to the 1st New York Provisional Cavalry when the regiment was mustered out on June 17, 1865 and was made a Brevet Brigadier General. After the war, Avery became a pioneer in the oil business.

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from theTitusville (PA) Morning Herald, September 3, 1881:

                                  LAST "CALL" ON EARTH.

DEATH OF Gen. M.H. AVERY,
THE BROKER.
One of the Best Known Oil Men in the
Regions--Something About His
Early Life. War Record
and Business Successes.
Our oil citizens of town were shocked
yesterday upon learning of the death of
General M.H. Avery, at Geneva, N.Y.,
whither he went some weeks ago in order to
improve his failing health. The immediate
cause of his death was dropsy.
General Avery was perhaps the best known
man who ever did business in the oil regions.
Of his war record we are not fully informed.
He went out from Syracuse, N.Y., in the
Twelfth New York Cavalry. He was a brave
soldier, and won promotion rapidly, and ad-
vanced to the rank of Major, receiving at
the close of the war the brevet distinction of
Brigadier General, a title by which he was
generally known in the oil regions. He
came into this section about '65 and, in
company with E.M. Hidden ran a pipe line
from Shamburg to Miller Farm, some three
miles in length. Hidden then sold his inter-
est to Dan Cady, and General Avery soon
after disposed of his to the Pennsylvania
Pipe Company, and went into the refined oil
trade, buying and shipping in tank cars to
points east.
After this General Avery adopted the pro-
fession of broker and commenced operations
on the floor of the Parker Exchange. With
the decline of the lower region he removed
to Oil City, and his genial presence was for
many years one of the welcome fixtures in
that Exchange. The General then came
here to Titusville, and about two years and
a half ago went to Bradford, where he has
pursued the avocation up to a few months
ago, when his broken health necessitated his
retirement from business. he was
affliction with a complication of diseases, ac-
quired during his army experience, and
although a man of splendid physique he was
a great sufferer. He made a trip to the Hot
Springs, Arkansas, three months ago, but
the severe rigor of the regime he was sub-
jected to there was decidedly injurious, and
on his return it was noticed that he was
looking very bad. He quitted Bradford for
Geneva, N.Y., for the purpose of taking a
long rest, and none of his friends suspected
his case was serious until the sad news of his
death was telegraphed yesterday.
General Avery was a general favorite with
all. He was a man of generous impulses, of
more than ordinary business capacity, well
versed in the oil trade, and but for his gen-
erous living and habits and a nature which
seemed to delight in conferring favors, he
might have arisen to wealth and station. He
commanded the respect of all who came in
contact with him, for his sterling good qual-
ities of heart and his ability as a business
man. He will be generally missed among
the brokers in the oil trade.
from the Syracuse Morning Standard, September 5, 1881:
Gen. M. Henry Avery Dead.
To the Editor of the Standard:
The announcement in the papers of the death
of Gen. M. Henry Avery wil bring sorrow to a
large circle of army friends. But few people
know how much he contributed to the glory
and success of our arms. Many of our older
rsidents will remember young Henry Avery,
the news dealer. When the war came
Henry Avery, in 1861, raised a com-
pany of men for the 10th N.Y. cavalry of
which he was made captain and soon
after was commissisoned the senior major.
On going into the field the regiment was com-
manded by Lieut.-Col. Irvine, who was taken
prisoner at Brandy Station June 12, 1864.
Thereafter it was led by Maj. Avery and
under him it gained the reputation of being in
discipline and fighting qualities one of the best
regiments in the corps. In more than 90 en-
gagements, skirmishes and battles, this
incomparable chief led his command
of veterans, always ready, always at the front.
and Maj. Avery always at the head. One by
one, by dozens, by scores this noble re-
giment wasted away, its recruits never
making good its loss by bullets and dis-
ease--to the very last shot fired at Ap-
pomatax, the command, all that was left of it,
remained under the eye of its brave, alert,
soldierly chief. So splendid and generous
a soldier as Maj.-General Mc M. Gregg
said that Major Avery saved his divis-
ion at Sulphur Springs, holding the bridge
with his regiment, against Longstreets Corps,
until his position was secure. When I
repeated these words years ago to Gen-
eral Avery, his eyes moistened with tears.
He knew how true they were though too modest
ever to refer to it. Again when riding over the
fields near City Point I was enquired of
by a party of artillery officers, the name of the
major commanding the 10th N.Y. I replied
Avery. "Yes," said Capt. Pendleton, "that's the
name. He's the fellow who saved my battery.
My horses were nearly all killed in the engage-
ment yesterday over the river, and my men
nearly all hor de combat, when Avery rode by
and seeing my plight, with the few men
he had with him, dismounted and fought the
pieces until the help he sent for re-
lieved us." "A noble fellow never wore
shoulder straps" were the words of Pendleton.
Gen. Sheridan said he had no a no more relia-
ble, brave and intelligent officer in his
corps. In all those qualities which go to make
the true soldier, Gen. Avery, was marvously
endowed. Cool, courageous, quick of eye and
invincible in purpose, he rarely failed of ac-
complishing all that was expected of him. In
discipline he was severe, but just. Even those who
complained of him in camp, regarded him as
faultless in the field. It would be a crime in
those of us who knew the splendid qualities of
this man; who kew of his patriotism, his zealous,
continuous and valuable service to his country,
now that his lips are forever dumb, did we not
tell of his matchless courage and heroic achieve-
ments.
"Twas by such as he,
The fight was fought and won,
Long since on sea and shore,
And every scattered star,
Set in the blue once more;
We are one as before,
With the blot from our escutcheon gone."
R.W.P.
Matthew Henry Avery, soldier, was in Vermont In 1861 he was major in tenth New York cavalry became colonel 1864 and in 1865 was brevetted brigadier general of volunteers for gallantry in at Sailors Creek Va