Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil Wars

Excerpt from:

THE NATIONAL CYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN  BIOGRAPHY
 

Being The  History Of The United States As Illustrated In The Lives Of The Founders, Builders, And Defenders Of The Republic, And Of The Men And Women Who Are  Doing The Work And Moulding The  Thought Of The Present Time
 

EDITED BY DISTINGUISHED BIOGRAPHERS,SELECTED FROM EACH STATE REVISED AND APPROVED BY THE MOST EMINENT HISTORIANS, SCHOLARS,

AND STATESMEN OF THE DAY
VOLUME XL  NEW YORK .   JAMES T. WHITE & COMPANY  1901

GRIFFIN, Simon Goodell, soldier and legislator,  was born at Nelson, Cheshire Cо., N. H.,
August 9, 18:24, son of Nathan and Sally (Wright)  Griffin.

Both his grandfathers, Samuel Griffin  and Nehemiah Wright, were revolutionary soldiers  and both were in Reed's regiment and fought from behind the rail fence at Bunker hill.

His first  American ancestor was Humphrey Griffin, who died at Rowley, Mass., 1661. Simon Griffin attended only the district schools of Nelson, but began a successful career as a teacher at the age of eighteen.

While teaching he studied law; next represented his native town for two years in the legislature, and was admitted to the bar at Concord, in 1860. The civil war breaking out, he volunteered as a private, was chosen to the command of the company, and was mustered into the U. S. service as captain of Company B. 2d New Hampshire volunteers. He commanded his company at the first battle of Bull run, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and soon afterward to Colonel of the 6th New Hampshire volunteers.

He commanded  his regiment at the battles of Camden, N.C. — in Burnside's expedition—second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg,  handling it wit h skill and sound judgment. In 1863 he  commanded a brigade under Burnside, in Kentucky, and under Grant and Sherman at Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss. ; the 2d division of the 9th corps in its march to East Tennessee; and the following winter was in command of Camp Nelson, Ky., with about 9,000 men, to protect that important depot of supplies from threatened raids.

In the spring of 1864 the 9th corps reorganized at Annapolis, Md., and Col. Griffin was assigned to the command of the 2d brigade, 2d division. The corps joined the army of the Potomac, and was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness. May 6th. At Spottsylvania, for his prompt and vigorous support of Hancock, in his famous charge, and holding the enemy in check in his countercharge, he was promoted to brigadier-general of volunteers, made on the field of battle, upon the recommendation of Generals Grant and Burnside.

He commanded his brigade at the battles of North Anna river, Tolopotomy creek, Bethesda church, and Cold Harbor. Arriving in front of Petersburg at daybreak on the 17th of June, with his own and Curtin's brigade, he forced the enemy's lines at the Shands house, capturing about 1.000 prisoners, four piece« of artillery, 1,500 stands of arms and one stand of colors. He led his brigade gallantly at the time of the mine explosion at Petersburg, and at Weldon railroad, Poplar Spring church and Hatcher's run.

On the 3d of April, 1865, he led the assaulting column of the 3d division. 9th corps, in connection with Gen. Hartranft, of Pennsylvania, with his division, that broke through the enemy's main line, at the Jerusalem plank road and won Petersburg and Richmond. For gallantry in that act he was brevetted a major general of volunteers. Gen. Potter having been severely wounded, Gen. Griffin succeeded to the command of the 2d division, 9th army corps, which he led at the surrender of Lee, at the grand review in Washington, and until it was mustered out of service.

At the close of the war he resided at Keene, N. H., and represented that town in the legislature in 1866. 1867, 1868, serving the last two years as speaker of the house.

Dartmouth College conferred upon him the honorary degree of M.A.

In 1871, and again in 1873, he was nominated for congress by the Republicans, but the opposition party carried the state.  In 1887 and 1088 he was commander of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

In 1850 he was married to Ursula J., daughter of Jason Harris, of Nelson, who died in 1852.

 In January, 1863, he was married to Margaret R. Lamson, of Keeue, N. H., by whom he has two sons.