Powell T. Wyman

Powell Tremlett Wyman (1828-1862) - Born 29 Jan 1828 in Franklin Place, Boston, Massachusetts. A U.S. Army officer and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served in the Second Seminole War, Third Seminole War and the U.S. Civil War. He was killed 30 Jun 1862 at the Battle of Glendale during the U.S. Civil War.

He entered the United States Military Academy 1 Jul 1846 and graduated 1 Jul 1850 in the Class of 1850 ranking 5th out of 43.

He served in the Second Seminole War, Third Seminole War early in his career

Lt. Wyman began a six month leave of absence on 15 May 1859 and failed to return on 15 Nov 1859. He was carried on the muster rolls as AWOL starting in in December 1859. There are indications that he asked for an extension of his leave and it was denied. He declined to return to duty and on 13 Jul 1860 he resigned his commission.

Numerous newspaper reports of the time linked Lt. Wyman with Eliza Brannan, the runaway wife of fellow officer, Captain John M. Brannan. She had disappeared on 20 Jul 1858 and reportedly fled to Florence, Italy, to escape a bad marriage. Lt. Wyman obtained a U.S. passport on 20 Jun 1859 and followed her to Europe where they were married in spite of the fact that she was still married to Captain Brannan. Powell Wyman and Eliza returned to the United States just after the start of the U.S. Civil War and settled in Boston, Massachusetts.

Powell Wyman offered his services to the Governor of Massachusetts and was appointed Colonel of the newly formed 16th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in June 1861. The regiment was deployed into Virginia and in June 1862 it participated in the Seven Days Battles around Richmond, Virginia. On the sixth day (30 Jun 1862) Colonel Wyman was killed at the Battle of Glendale while leading the 16th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in a charge. He died from a mini ball that pierced an artery near his heart. His body was buried by his orderly on the Haxall plantation near the battlefield. His distraught wife commissioned a lawyer to retrieve the body and bring it back to Boston. His funeral took place on 22 Jul 1862 from the Massachusetts State House. He was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The whole affair with Mrs Brannan and Wyman's resignation became very public knowledge after his death when General Brannan obtained a divorce from his wife, Eliza, in April 1863. Many newspapers, north and south, carried detailed hearsay accounts of the story.

Father: Oliver Cromwell Wyman (1804-18??)

Mother: Helen Dickson Powell (1810-18??), married 18 Feb 1827, Massachusetts

Marriage:
 * Eliza Crane married circa 1860, born circa 1827

Assignments:
 * (1846-1850) Cadet, United States Military Academy
 * (1850-1850) 2nd Lt. (1 Jul 1850), 1st U.S. Artillery, Second Seminole War
 * (1850-1851) 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort Adams (1), Rhode Island
 * (1851-1851) 1st U.S. Artillery, Astoria, Oregon
 * (1851-1853) 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort Orford, Oregon
 * (1853-1853) 1st U.S. Artillery, On recruiting service
 * (1853-1854) 1st Lt. (24 Dec 1853), 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort McHenry, Maryland
 * (1854-1855) 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort Monroe, Virginia
 * (1855-1856) 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort McHenry, Maryland
 * (1856-1856) 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort Monroe, Virginia
 * (1856-1857) 1st U.S. Artillery, Third Seminole War, Florida
 * (1857-1858) 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort Moultrie, South Carolina
 * (1858-1859) 1st U.S. Artillery, Fort Monroe, Virginia
 * (1859-1860) On leave of absence
 * (13 Jul 1860) Resigned commission
 * (1861-1865) Union U.S. Civil War
 * Col (13 Jul 1861) 16th Massachusetts Volunteers
 * (30 Jun 1862) Killed in action at the Battle of Glendale, Henrico County, Virginia

Personal Description:
 * Height: 5' 8"
 * Complexion: Light
 * Hair Color: Sandy
 * Eye Color: Blue

Sources:
 * Cullum Register - Powell T. Wyman
 * Find a Grave - Powell T. Wyman
 * flickr -Col. Powell Wyman