Gustavus A. Sniper

(1836-1894)General Gustavus Sniper was born in Baden, Germany, on June 11, 1836. His family moved to Syracuse, NY, when he was a boy of three. Before the war broke out, he worked briefly in the tobacco business. He joined the Syracuse Light Guards in 1854, and also held office in the Syracuse Grays and Davis Light Guards. When war broke out in 1861, he organized a company of Onondaga County men for the 12th New York Volunteer Infantry. He also organized a company for the 24th New York from Onondaga County. His first field service, however, was with a company in the 101st New York, rising in rank from captain to lieutenant. In battle, Sniper was always to be found in front with his men. He returned home briefly in 1863, and married Catherine Miller–but returned to the field within a few months to serve with the 185th New York Volunteer Infantry, as its Lt. Colonel; they were assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps. He saw first service with the regiment before the Confederate breastworks at Petersburg, VA. and also saw action at Hatchers Run, VA, in February 1865. In the same month, he was commissioned the regiment’s Colonel. In March of 1865, the 185th was heavily involved in the battles of Quaker Road and White Oak Road, outside Petersburg. In the former battle, he was seen carrying the regimental colors. For his “conspicuous gallantry” at these two battles, Sniper was brevetted Brigadier General.