Samuel K . Zook Samuel Kosciuszko Zook ( born Samuel Kurtz Zook , March 27 , 1821 – July 3 , 1863 ) was a Union general during the American Civil War , killed in action during the Battle of Gettysburg . Early years . Zook was born in Tredyffrin , Chester County , Pennsylvania . His parents were David and Eleanor Stephens Zook and his paternal ancestors were of the Mennonite faith . At an early age , he moved with his parents to the home of his maternal grandmother at Valley Forge and the tradition of George Washington ' s winter encampment there during the American Revolutionary War fueled a lifelong interest in military matters . His [ grand ? ] father , David Zook , had been a major during the American Revolution , further fueling his interests . From the time he was old enough to carry a musket , he participated in local militia activities . At the age of 19 , he became a lieutenant in the Pennsylvania militia and the adjutant of the 100th or 110th Pennsylvania regiment . Zook entered the emerging field of telegraphy , became a proficient operator , and worked on crews to string wires as far west as the Mississippi River . He moved to New York City in 1846 or 1851 and became the superintendent of the Washington and New York Telegraph Company . He made several discoveries in electric science that gave him reputation . In New York City , he also joined the 6th New York Governor ' s Guard ( militia ) regiment and had achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel by the time the Civil War broke out . Civil War . The 6th New York Militia helped out as a 90 - day regiment during the first summer of the war . Zook served as the military governor in Annapolis , seeking support from politically influential men there to achieve a regimental command of his own . After he was mustered out , he raised the 57th New York Infantry ( National Guard Rifles ) and became its colonel on October 19 , 1861 . Zook ' s first combat was during the Seven Days Battles of 1862 . His regiment was assigned to William H . French ' s brigade in Edwin V . Sumner ' s division of the Army of the Potomac , under Maj . Gen . George B . McClellan . Zook was personally scouting far out in front of his regiment in the run - up to the Battle of Gaines ' Mill , got behind enemy lines , and found that Confederate Maj . Gen . John B . Magruder was conducting an elaborate deception , making it appear that he had significantly more troops in his sector than he actually had . Zook ' s discovery was reported up to McClellan , but it was ignored , and Union troops that could have been used successfully elsewhere remain tied down . Fredericksburg . Zook was forced to go on medical leave , probably due to chronic and disabling rheumatism , thus missing the Battle of Antietam . When he returned to the Army he was given command of French ' s brigade ( 3rd Brigade , 1st Division , II Corps ) under division commander Maj . Gen . Winfield S . Hancock . The brigade was one of the first to arrive at Fredericksburg , Virginia , and he wanted to cross over the Rappahannock River as quickly as possible , before Confederate General Robert E . Lee could reinforce the town and the heights beyond it . However , Army of the Potomac commander Maj . Gen . Ambrose Burnside prevented the movement , wanting to wait for his army to concentrate and to receive pontoon bridges to make the river crossing . Zook wrote on December 10 , " If we had had the pontoons promised when we arrived here we could have the hills on the other side of the river without cost over 50 men — now it will cost at least 10 , 000 if not more . " While waiting for the pontoons to arrive , Zook served as military governor of Falmouth , Virginia . When the Battle of Fredericksburg began in earnest on December 13 , French ' s division was the first to assault Marye ' s Heights . After being repulsed with heavy losses , Hancock ' s division moved forward with Zook ' s brigade in the lead . Zook had his horse shot out from under him and was momentarily stunned , but managed to lead his men to within 60 yards of the Stone Wall , one of the farthest Union advances of the battle . His brigade suffered 527 of the 12 , 000 Union casualties that night . General Hancock praised Zook ' s attack for its " spirit " . Zook wrote afterward , " Now by God , if I don ' t get my star , I ' m coming home . " He was promoted to brigadier general in March 1863 , to rank from November 29 , 1862 . Despite his successful promotion , however , the battle of Fredericksburg affected him deeply : At the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863 , Zook ' s brigade fought in the defensive line around the Chancellor Mansion , but facing east , where combat was lighter and his men suffered only 188 casualties . Disabled again by rheumatism , he left on medical leave to Washington , D . C . , and rejoined his brigade at the end of June to march into Pennsylvania for the Gettysburg Campaign . Gettysburg . On July 2 , 1863 , the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg , Brig . Gen . John C . Caldwell ' s division , including Zook ' s brigade , was sent to reinforce the crumbling III Corps line that was being assaulted by the Confederate corps of Lt . Gen . James Longstreet . Zook was directed by one of the III Corps staff officers toward the Wheatfield to reinforce the brigade of Col . Régis de Trobriand and to fill a gap near the Stony Hill . Zook , on horseback , led his men up the hill , which attracted the attention of men from the advancing 3rd and 7th South Carolina Infantry regiments , of Joseph B . Kershaw ' s brigade . He was struck by rifle fire in the shoulder , chest , and abdomen , and taken behind the lines for medical treatment at a toll house on the Baltimore Pike . He died from his wounds on July 3 and is buried near the grave of General Hancock in Montgomery Cemetery in West Norriton Township , Montgomery County , Pennsylvania , near Norristown , Pennsylvania . He received a brevet promotion to major general for Gettysburg , awarded as of July 2 . A small monument near the Wheatfield Road commemorates Zook ' s death . One of his soldiers in the 57th New York later characterized Zook as " a good disciplinarian ; he hated cowardice and shams ; had no patience with a man that neglected duty ; was blunt , somewhat severe , yet good hearted . . . a born soldier , quick of intellect , and absolutely without fear . "