Jesse L. Reno

Wheeling Intelligencer
September 18, 1862


General Reno

The army has met with a grievous loss in the death of Major General Jesse L. Reno, who fell in the battle while gallantly directing the movements of his corps. He was a native of Virginia, but a resident of Pennsylvania, in 1842, when he was appointed to a cadetship at West Point. He graduated high, in 1846, receiving a commission in the ordnance corps. He was distinguished in all the battles of the valley of Mexico, from Cerro Gordo to Chepultepec [sic], receiving a severe wound in the last named. From January to July, 1949, he was assistant professor of mathematics at West Point. In 1854 he was engaged on the coast survey.

When the Southern rebellion broke out, Reno's rank was that of captain of ordnance. In November, 1861, he was made a brigadier General of volunteers, and he went in command of a brigade under Burnside, in the North Carolina expedition. In the battles of Roanoke Island and Newbern he proved himself a general of great bravery and skill. He had the love and confidence of all those serving under him, and from the private in the ranks to the highest officer there will be sincere sorrow at his death.


Civil War

West Virginia Archives and History