Group - George F McFarland

George Fisher McFarland (April 28, 1834 – December 18, 1891) was a schoolteacher from Juniata County, Pennsylvania and Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He was noted for a critical delaying action he led during the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg that helped stave off the Confederate advance of the first day and supplied the rest of the army with time to reorganize. George McFarland was born on April 28, 1834, to John and Elizabeth McFarland at Todd's Mill in rural Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He worked as a boat pilot with his father on the Susquehanna River when he was young and began teaching school in his 20's. In 1862, he joined the Union army and was given a commission as the captain of Company D of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry. He was later promoted to lieutenant colonel of the regiment. After the colonel, Harrison Allen, was given the rank of brevet Brigadier General, McFarland was assigned command of the 151st Pennsylvania. He and his regiment served as reserves at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Northern Virginia.