Researcher: Toni Colella

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            Albert L. Jordan was a soldier in the Civil War. Albert was in the 18th Massachusetts Regiment, and was part of Company I. He ranked into the war as a Private, and ranked out of the war as a Private. He took part in many of the battles that the 18th regiment fought in. Albert was mustered into the Union army on July 29, 1861. He was discharged from the army due to a disability on May 16, 1864.

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            Albert Jordan was a white, married man from Franklin, Massachusetts. His occupation was in the boots and shoe repair department. He was born in 1837, which made him 24 when he volunteered to join the 18th Massachusetts infantry. He had a brother, Samuel Jordan, who also fought in the 18th regiment with him. His brother, Henry Jordan, also fought in the Civil War. Albert served under many Generals during his time in the War. A different General led each battle he fought in.

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          During his time in the war he was wounded, and that caused him to be discharged from fighting. Albert, and the rest of the 18th regiment, traveled to Virginia and fought many battles. The Anaconda Plan consisted of three parts. The 18th regiment was in involved in the third part of Lincoln’s master plan; Capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. For the time Albert was fighting, he fought battles throughout Virginia. These include the Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Hanover Court House, The 2nd Battle of Bull Run, Battle of Antietam, Shepardstown, Fredricksville, and Chancellorsville.

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            The Siege of Yorktown took part in York County from April 5 till May 4, 1862. The Union leader of this battle was Major General George B. McClellan. This battle was resulted with an uncertain victory. The Battle of Hanover Courthouse, led by General Fitz John Porter took place on May 27, 1862 in Hanover County. Porter’s objective was to split the railroad and open the Telegraph Road for Union reinforcements that were marching from Fredericksburg. The result of this battle was a Union victory.  The second Battle of Bull Run took place from August 28- 30, 1862, led by Major General John Pope. The Confederates attacked the Union soldiers, drawing them into battle. General Pope’s retreat to Centreville resulted in a Confederate Victory. The Battle of Antietam, led by General McClellan was fought in Washington County from September 16 till 18, 1862. This battle began when McClellan found a copy of General Lee’s orders at an old Confederate camp spot. General McClellan ordered his troops to go forward after Lee and his army. The south lost a quarter of it’s men and retreated into Virginia the next day. The Battle of Shepardstown, led by General Porter, was fought in Jefferson County from September 19 till 20, 1862. The Union soldiers attacked the Confederates and captured four guns. General Porter ordered some of his men to go across the Potomac River and make a bridgehead. The confederate soldiers counterattacked, while Union soldiers were crossing the river. The Battle of Fredricksburg, led by Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, took place from December 11 till 15, 1862. The battle was in the wilderness and caused it to be brutal, and fires were often spread through the trees. General Burnside called a series of assaults out, but the south counterattacked. This resulted in General Burnside calling off the offensive and re-crossing the river, ending the battle. The Battle of Chancellorsville, led by Major General Joseph Hooker, took place from April 30 till May 6, 1863. The Union soldiers were outmaneuvered by the South and retreated back north. The Battle of Gettysburg, led by General George Meade, took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863. This three-day battle caused many casualties from both sides, but a Confederate victory. The Battle of Williamsport was fought from July 6 till 16 1863 and was led by General Meade. As the Union soldiers were traveling back from Gettysburg, they were attacked again. This battle was resulted in an uncertain victory. On November 7, the Battle of Rappahannock Station was fought, led by General Meade. The Confederates retreated, causing a Union Victory. The last battle that Albert Jordan was able to fight in was Mine Run, from November 27 to December 2, 1863. This was yet another indecisive victory.

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            Although Albert Jordan may not appear to be famous, he was still a hero for volunteering to fight to preserve the Union. He was just a regular man living in Massachusetts, until the Civil War.