A Hero of Two Wars: President James K. Polk Commissions Gabriel R. Paul an Officer for the Mexican War; Paul Would Capture a Mexican Flag During the Legendary Storming of Chapultepec
Later, as a Union general, Paul was severely wounded at Gettysburg, and was honored by promotion by brevet for Gallant and Meritorious Services in that battle
Gabriel R. Paul graduated from West Point in 1834. He served as an officer in the 7th U.S. Infantry during the Seminole Wars and Mexican War. In Mexico, he was in the Battle of Monterey, siege of Vera Cruz, and the Battle of Cerro Gordo, where he was wounded. He recovered to...
Gabriel R. Paul graduated from West Point in 1834. He served as an officer in the 7th U.S. Infantry during the Seminole Wars and Mexican War. In Mexico, he was in the Battle of Monterey, siege of Vera Cruz, and the Battle of Cerro Gordo, where he was wounded. He recovered to serve in the campaign to capture Mexico City. He led an assault party that captured a Mexican flag during the famed storming of Chapultepec. He was presented a sword for his services at the end of the war.
Paul was a Union general in the Civil War, and served in the Rappahannock Campaign and at the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On the first day at Gettysburg, trying to maintain the Union position, his corps and division suffered severe casualties. The Second Division/First Corps went into battle with approximately 2,500 men on the morning of July 1. Of this number, 1,667 became casualties, a 67% loss. Colonel Richard Coulter of the 11th Pennsylvania, who filed the report for Gabriel Paul’s First Brigade, recorded that on July 1, the brigade’s loss totaled 776 men killed, wounded, or missing. Paul was among the severely wounded, a musket ball depriving him of the sight of both eyes. Forced to retire by his blindness, Paul was honored by promotion by brevet for Gallant and Meritorious Services at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Document signed, as President, with engravings of a large eagle, cannon, and flags, Washington, May 14, 1846, being Paul’s appointment as “Captain in the Seventh Regiment of Infantry” in the Mexican War. The document is countersigned by William Marcy as Secretary of War, and the Great Seal of the U.S. is still present.
It’s unusual to find an appointment of a man that can genuinely be called a hero in two wars.
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