 | This article includes a list ofgeneral references, butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations. Please help toimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(August 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Peter Valentine Hagner | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | (1815-08-28)August 28, 1815 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | March 11, 1893(1893-03-11) (aged 77) Washington, D.C. |
| Buried | Oak Hill Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch | |
| Years of service | 1836–1881 |
| Rank | |
| Unit | Ordnance Department |
| Battles / wars | |
| Spouse | Susan S. Peyton |
| Relations | Peter Hagner (father) |
Peter Valentine Hagner (August 28, 1815 – March 11, 1893) was an officer of ordnance who served for over 40 years in theUnited States Army and wasBrevettedBrigadier General.
Hagner was the son of governmentauditorPeter Hagner, and was born in Washington, D.C. After graduating theUnited States Military Academy atWest Point, New York, Hagner was assigned first toartillery, then topographical engineers, and finally ordnance in 1838, in which department service he spent the balance of his career.
At the outset of theMexican–American War,First Lieutenant Hagner was assigned to thesiegebattery company, and was brevettedcaptain andmajor for "gallant and meritorious conduct" in battles leading to the capture of Mexico City in 1847. In the years before theAmerican Civil War, Hagner commanded several arsenals, responsible for maintenance and upkeep on weaponry and military stores.
Considered a moderate unionist with a reputation of being a level-headed career soldier, theJames Buchanan administration selected Hagner to command of the strategicSt. Louis Arsenal at the outbreak of the war. The arsenal at the time was sought by both Union and Confederate sympathizers for its valuable contents, and during the early days of the war both legitimate andpartisanguerrilla military units from both sides schemed to obtain control.
While in command, Hagner used his authority to restrict Union Army CaptainNathaniel Lyon's access to the arsenal. Lyon was a well connectedRepublican who sought access to the arsenal for the purpose of arming pro-Union military units to fight against the seceding states. Lyon, enraged that his commander had denied him the arsenal's contents, then wrote of Hagner, making a threat to "pitch him in the river."[This quote needs a citation]
After the inauguration ofAbraham Lincoln, Lyon began exerting pressure on the War Department through his friendFrank Blair, brother of the incoming Lincoln cabinet officerMontgomery Blair. Lyon sought to have Hagner relieved of the arsenal command and elevate himself as the replacement. Blair subsequently used his War Department connections to fulfill Lyon's request and Hagner's tenure at the arsenal was ended.
By March 1862, Hagner was serving on a commission on ordnance contracts and claims. He served as inspector of factories manufacturing small arms for the government until late 1863, when Hagner was promotedlieutenant colonel and held command ofWatervliet Arsenal until war's end.Brevetted brigadier general for service; Hagner was a fullColonel in the ordnance department when he retired from the Army in 1881.
Hagner married Susan S. Peyton ofRichmond, Virginia, daughter of Bernard Peyton.[1] Hagner was buried atOak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.[1][2]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
