A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he pursued a career in law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar in 1858.
When the Civil War started in 1861, he volunteered for service, and was commissioned Major in the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on July 29, 1861. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel a few months later in June 1862, Colonel John W. McLane of the 83rd Pennsylvania was killed at the Battle of Gaines Mill, and Vincent was promoted to fill the vacancy. When the Army of the Potomac was reorganized, he was given command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps, and held that position as the Battle of Gettysburg started on July 1, 1863.
On July 2, he and his men were given the task of holding Little Round Top. As the Confederates attacked, he rallied his men, holding a rider's crop and shouting "don't give an inch." He was wounded and taken to a field hospital not far from the battlefield where he died on July 7, 1863.
He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, United States Volunteers on July 3rd upon the recommendation of Army of the Potomac commander Major General George Gordon Meade, but it is not known if he heard of the promotion before he died.
Two months after the General's death, his wife gave birth to a baby girl, who died a year later and is buried next to her father.
A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he pursued a career in law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar in 1858.
When the Civil War started in 1861, he volunteered for service, and was commissioned Major in the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on July 29, 1861. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel a few months later in June 1862, Colonel John W. McLane of the 83rd Pennsylvania was killed at the Battle of Gaines Mill, and Vincent was promoted to fill the vacancy. When the Army of the Potomac was reorganized, he was given command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps, and held that position as the Battle of Gettysburg started on July 1, 1863.
On July 2, he and his men were given the task of holding Little Round Top. As the Confederates attacked, he rallied his men, holding a rider's crop and shouting "don't give an inch." He was wounded and taken to a field hospital not far from the battlefield where he died on July 7, 1863.
He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, United States Volunteers on July 3rd upon the recommendation of Army of the Potomac commander Major General George Gordon Meade, but it is not known if he heard of the promotion before he died.
Two months after the General's death, his wife gave birth to a baby girl, who died a year later and is buried next to her father.
Inscription
KILLED AT GETTYSBURG
HOLDING LITTLE ROUND TOP
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