Solomon "Long Sol" Meredith (29 May 1810-2 October 1875) was a Brigadier-General of the Union Army during the American Civil War who commanded the Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.
Biography[]
Solomon Meredith was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on 29 May 1810. He migrated to Centerville, Indiana and then to Milton and Cambridge City to escape the persecution of abolitionist-leaning Quakers in his home state, and he was elected Wayne County sheriff in 1834 before serving in the state house as a Whig. He also served as US Marshal for Indiana under President Zachary Taylor before returning to the legislature as a Republican. Meredith was appointed colonel of the 19th Indiana Infantry Regiment in summer of 1861. The 19th saw its first heavy action at Second Bull Run, where it suffered 220 casualties and Meredith was wounded. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Meredith fought on Seminary Ridge and captured General James Archer, but he was hit in the back of the head with shrapnel and was unfit for duty due to his severe wounds. He retired from war service with a concussion, and he served as tax assessor before serving as surveyor general of the Montana Territory from 1867 to 1869.