James Nagle (general)

James Nagle
James Nagle
Born(1822-04-05)April 5, 1822
Reading, Pennsylvania
DiedAugust 22, 1866(1866-08-22) (aged 44)
Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Place of burial
Presbyterian Cemetery, Pottsville, Pennsylvania
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
BranchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1846–1848; 1861–1864
Rank Brigadier General
UnitArmy of the Potomac
Commands1st Brigade, 2nd Division, IX Corps
48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles / wars
Other workpainter, paper hanger, sheriff

James Nagle (April 5, 1822 – August 22, 1866) was an officer in the United States Army in both the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. During the latter conflict, he recruited and commanded four infantry regiments from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and led two different brigades in the Eastern Theater. As the war progressed, worsening health problems precluded prolonged field service, but Nagle is perhaps best known for his actions at the 1862 Battle of Antietam, where his brigade played a key role in securing Burnside's Bridge, a key crossing over the contested Antietam Creek.