George Alexander Hussey – Captain, United States Army

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George Alexander Hussey was born December 23, 1843, in either Bergen, New Jersey, or New York City. As a young member of the economic elite of the city, Hussey took the de rigeur European tour at age seventeen, traveling across Switzerland and Bavaria, brushing up on his German and soaking up the local culture, but he had a rude awakening on returning home: political crisis.

In July, 1861, three months after the Civil War began, Hussey enlisted as a Private in Company I, 9th New York Militia Regiment (the New York City Guards), which was mustered into the federal service as the 83rd New York Infantry Regiment. During most of 1861, the 83rd Regiment was stationed in the ring of forts surrounding Washington, but late in the fall, they were reassigned to western Maryland and served for a time as the body guard for General N.P. Banks. During the summer, they took part in the Shenandoah Campaign, and returned to the eastern part of the state, arriving to participate in the Bull Run campaign.

During the 2nd Battle of Bull Run on August 30, 1862, Hussey was wounded in the chest and spent time recuperating in Philadelphia’s National Guard Hospital. After recovering, he accepted a commission as First Lieutenant in Company I of the 103rd New York Infantry. This company was formed in part from remnants of the 3rd German Rifles, and it seems logical to assume that Hussey may have won his commission in part because of his linguistic skills. The 103rd served primarily in southeastern Virginia, and were present at Suffolk during the siege, where on May 3, 1863, Hussey was wounded in action for a second time. Just under a month later, he was promoted to Captain of Company E, and that November, he was discharged at the expiration of his two years’ obligation. He returned to military life one final time, beginning May, 1864, as a member of New York’s 165th Regiment, serving through the end of the war and receiving an honorable discharge in September, 1865.

Returning to civilian life, George served as his father’s secretary from September, 1865, to October, 1866, leaving that position for a job with the Merchants’ Union Express Company. However when that company merged with the American Express Company in March, 1869, George was let go. Four months later, he landed with the Fourth National Bank of New York City, where he held a number of positions. While employed at the bank, he married Carrie Elisabeth St. John on November 25, 1875. Sixteen years later, George resigned as Coupon Collection Clerk.

According to a biography of the New York Volunteers of the 103rd Regiment, he later received a job with the Treasury Department. At the time of his death in 1929, he was a resident of Poughkeepsie, New York. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

HUSSEY, GEORGE A

  • CAPT 103RD NY VOLS C W
  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/04/1929
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 7  SITE LOT 8107
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

HUSSEY, CAROLINE E W/O GEORGE A 

  • BURIED AT:
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • CAPT 103RD NY VOL INF

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