Edward Ferrero Edward Ferrero ( January 18 , 1831 – December 11 , 1899 ) was one of the leading dance instructors , choreographer s , and ballroom operators in the United States . He also served as a Union Army general in the American Civil War , most remembered for his dishonourable conduct in the Battle of the Crater ( July 1864 ) , reported drinking with another general behind the lines , while both their units were virtually destroyed . Early life and career . Ferrero was born in Granada , Spain . His parents were natives of Italy , and had just arrived in Spain when their son was born . Thirteen months later , the family moved to the United States and settled in New York City . Ferrero ' s father , a noted dancer and a personal friend of the revolutionary soldier Giuseppe Garibaldi , soon opened a dance academy . When the elder Ferrero retired in his early fifties , Edward took over operation of the academy . He educated the wealthy and elite of New York society in the art of dance , and originated many dances that spread in popularity throughout the country . Ferrero became renowned as one of America ' s leading experts in dance . He worked part - time as a dance instructor at the United States Military Academy and was the author of " The Art of Dancing " in 1859 . Ferrero was interested in military affairs from his association as a youth with Garibaldi , and from his uncle , Colonel Lewis Ferrero , who had served in the Crimean War and the Italian campaign . Edward Ferrero became the lieutenant colonel of the 11th New York Militia Regiment , serving for six years in the militia organization . With his skills in choreography and instruction , his troops soon became known for their parade ground precision and military drill . Civil War . With the outbreak of the Civil War in early 1861 , Ferrero raised a regiment at his own expense , the 51st New York ( the " Shepard Rifles " ) . He was commissioned as its first colonel and drilled the regiment in military procedures . He led a brigade of three regiments in Maj . Gen . Ambrose Burnside ' s expedition to Roanoke Island , where his regiment seized the first fortified Confederate redoubt captured in the war . He also commanded a brigade at New Bern under Brig . Gen . Jesse L . Reno . Transferred northward with his brigade to Virginia in the summer of 1862 , he served in the army of Maj . Gen . John Pope during the Northern Virginia Campaign , including the Second Battle of Bull Run . In September , he served at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam , where his brigade was a part of the Union IX Corps and stormed Burnside ' s Bridge . For his personal bravery at Antietam , the dancer - turned - warrior was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on September 19 , 1862 . ( This commission expired in March 1863 , but he was reappointed to rank from May 6 . The latter appointment was revoked on July 21 , 1864 ) . His first action as a general was at Fredericksburg . Sent to the Western Theater along with the IX Corps in early 1863 , Ferrero led his brigade with distinction during the Siege of Vicksburg . He subsequently commanded a division during the Knoxville Campaign , and was in command of the defenses of Fort Sanders . Transferred eastward again in 1864 with the corps , he served in the Siege of Petersburg , commanding a division of black troops . His men were involved in the ill - fated July 30 charge on the Crater , where they suffered significant losses supporting the initial attack of Brig . Gen . James H . Ledlie ' s division . Both Ferrero and Ledlie received criticism for remaining in a shelter behind the lines through most of the battle , passing a bottle of rum between them . A court of inquiry headed by Maj . Gen . Winfield S . Hancock cited Ferrero for " being in a bomb - proof habitually , where he could not see the operation of his troops [ nor know ] the position of two brigades of his division or whether they had taken Cemetery Hill or not . " On December 2 , 1864 , Ferrero was breveted major general for " bravery and meritorious services . " He served throughout the Appomattox Campaign in early 1865 . Postbellum . Ferrero mustered out of the army on August 24 , 1865 , and returned home to New York City . He chose not to reopen his previous dance academy , but instead leased a building in a new location , eventually turning it into a world - famed ballroom known as Apollo Hall . In 1872 , he terminated his lease and the building was converted into a theater . Ferrero leased the ballroom of Tammany Hall for his academy and joined the Tammany Society , becoming socially active in Democratic political circles , although he never ran for office . He was active in veterans affairs , including the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion . He also joined the Freemasons . He published a second best - selling book , " The History of Dancing " , which remains in print today . He leased the Lenox Lyceum in January 1889 and continued as one of the country ' s foremost dance instructors for another decade . He retired in May 1899 when he became ill with a variety of ailments that claimed his life by the end of the year . Ferrero died in New York City and is buried in Green - Wood Cemetery , Brooklyn .