Captain James Parke Postles
Captain James Postles was one of 63 men who was awarded the Medal of Honor for
heroism in the battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1 - 3, 1863. He was cited for his
heroism on the second day of that battle at the Bliss Farm House west of Cemetery
Ridge, between Union and Confederate lines. On that day possession of the house and
nearby barn changed hands several times between the opposing forces, at one point
the rebels holding the barn while Union forces held the house. From the barn, enemy
sharpshooters rained effective fire on the Union forces at Cemetery Ridge, and General
Alexander Hayes called for an attack on the barn. Bitter fighting over the two
buildings left the Union forces in possession of the barn and the Rebels in the house.
An order to coordinate an attack to drive the Rebels out was formulated, written
down, and handed to Captain James Postles 1st Delaware, who had volunteered to
deliver it. Postles rode for a half mile at full gallop through heavy rebel rifle and
cannon fire to deliver the order, and then back through it to return to his unit. As he
reigned in at the end of his ride, he raised his cap and bowed to the rebel lines. They
acknowledged his courage with a rebel yell. A rebel prisoner later recognized Postles
and told him that he and his mates had fired at him and reloaded their muzzle loaders
three times. Postles was not hit. The barn was successfully captured along with 40
prisoners, while Captain Postles returned to the Union lines. Postles was awarded the
Medal of Honor for his deed.
Born in Camden, DE , he went on to become Adjutant General of Delaware, serving
from 1879-1887. In 1879 James Parke Postles was appointed Adjutant General. When
he took office the state militia consisted of 134 men, of these, 51 were honorary colonels
and generals on the governor’s staff. There remained 56 privates and 27 officers and
non-coms filling out the two remaining active infantry companies (“A” and “C” of
Wilmington).
Postles found almost no records of the past, no laws governing the militia, and no
organization. The lack of records made it nearly impossible for Postles to address the
concerns of widows and pensioners of the recent Civil War in making claims, not to
mention in compiling a record for posterity of the gallant service given by companies
from Delaware. Postles petitioned the Adjutant General U.S.A. on behalf of the state
but was unsuccessful due to a lack of adequate clerical force at that agency. Postles was
eventually successful in compiling partial to complete records of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and
4th Infantry Regiments, the 1st Cavalry Regiment, and Nields Battery Light Artillery.
But no records were forthcoming on the other organizations to have served from
Delaware during the Civil War.
Seven years later, Postles wrote of his continuing and constant frustration with the
lack of proper records. Members of the 5th and 6th Regiments, for whom he had no
records, sought back pay and certificates of service, copied from rolls in lieu of lost
discharges, for which he was unable to provide. He complained that he was being
petitioned by a veteran of the bombardment of Lewes, from the War of 1812 seeking
similar documentation.
In General Postles December 1880 report to the Governor, he noted a Regimental
organization of some four companies of infantry “A”, Wilmington, “B”, Milford,“C”,
Wilmington, and “D”, Dover, with a new one “E” being formed in Kent County.
His appointment marked a new turn of events. Under his leadership, a new state
militia law was enacted that provided the basis towards adequate state support for the
Delaware National Guard for the first time since the Civil War. Postles wrote, “Our
people have ever been jealous of the maintenance of a large standing army by the
General government, deeming such a force a menace to their liberties, and have
preferred to depend upon the love and loyalty of the people to come to the defense of
the country in time of need. It requires no argument to show how lame a dependence
this would be, when the necessity arose, if the people of the States were without
military organization training or knowledge. The inadequacy of our present laws to
provide such organization, training and maintenance is amply proved by past
experience”. He added, “I would earnestly urge the adoption of a militia law which
shall provide for the enrollment of all citizens subject to military duty into what shall
be known as the Militia reserve, to be called into service only in great public
emergencies, and when the Active Militia shall prove insufficient.”
Postles then went on to describe in some detail the features of a Militia law that he
deemed important. “It would provide a code of regulations for the government, drill
and discipline of such a force, and for regular and systematic reports from same, and
for regular inspections of same to determine its condition.” His bill would establish a
uniform dress for all troops of the State and should appropriate a moderate sum (say
$5) annually to each active member of a volunteer militia company for the said purpose
of providing said uniforms, as well as rent for armories and drill halls.
In subsequent reports, Postles also asked for tents and camp equipage and funding for
an annual field maneuver, as well as a fire proof building to be used as an arsenal of
arms and ammunition.
In 1883 the term the “National Guard of Delaware” was officially changed from the
“Delaware Volunteer Militia”. This name change also signaled that the organization
was no longer a disparate collection of individual volunteer units. Postles leadership
led to the formation of a truly statewide system, consolidating all the Delaware units
into one cohesive corporate military organization throughout all three counties.
General Postles should be regarded as the founder of the modern Delaware National
Guard.
"The General" was also a Master Mason, Chairman of the Committee to form The
Delaware Mason Home, Wilmington Streets Commissioner, Wilmington Industrialist
(Moroccan Leather), and his portrait hangs in Legislative Hall in Dover.
At age 68, he tripped on the steps of the Grand Opera House in Wilmington,
concussed himself and died. He is buried in the Wilmington-Brandywine Cemetery.
Captain James Postles was one of 63 men who was awarded the Medal of Honor for
heroism in the battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1 - 3, 1863. He was cited for his
heroism on the second day of that battle at the Bliss Farm House west of Cemetery
Ridge, between Union and Confederate lines. On that day possession of the house and
nearby barn changed hands several times between the opposing forces, at one point
the rebels holding the barn while Union forces held the house. From the barn, enemy
sharpshooters rained effective fire on the Union forces at Cemetery Ridge, and General
Alexander Hayes called for an attack on the barn. Bitter fighting over the two
buildings left the Union forces in possession of the barn and the Rebels in the house.
An order to coordinate an attack to drive the Rebels out was formulated, written
down, and handed to Captain James Postles 1st Delaware, who had volunteered to
deliver it. Postles rode for a half mile at full gallop through heavy rebel rifle and
cannon fire to deliver the order, and then back through it to return to his unit. As he
reigned in at the end of his ride, he raised his cap and bowed to the rebel lines. They
acknowledged his courage with a rebel yell. A rebel prisoner later recognized Postles
and told him that he and his mates had fired at him and reloaded their muzzle loaders
three times. Postles was not hit. The barn was successfully captured along with 40
prisoners, while Captain Postles returned to the Union lines. Postles was awarded the
Medal of Honor for his deed.
Born in Camden, DE , he went on to become Adjutant General of Delaware, serving
from 1879-1887. In 1879 James Parke Postles was appointed Adjutant General. When
he took office the state militia consisted of 134 men, of these, 51 were honorary colonels
and generals on the governor’s staff. There remained 56 privates and 27 officers and
non-coms filling out the two remaining active infantry companies (“A” and “C” of
Wilmington).
Postles found almost no records of the past, no laws governing the militia, and no
organization. The lack of records made it nearly impossible for Postles to address the
concerns of widows and pensioners of the recent Civil War in making claims, not to
mention in compiling a record for posterity of the gallant service given by companies
from Delaware. Postles petitioned the Adjutant General U.S.A. on behalf of the state
but was unsuccessful due to a lack of adequate clerical force at that agency. Postles was
eventually successful in compiling partial to complete records of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and
4th Infantry Regiments, the 1st Cavalry Regiment, and Nields Battery Light Artillery.
But no records were forthcoming on the other organizations to have served from
Delaware during the Civil War.
Seven years later, Postles wrote of his continuing and constant frustration with the
lack of proper records. Members of the 5th and 6th Regiments, for whom he had no
records, sought back pay and certificates of service, copied from rolls in lieu of lost
discharges, for which he was unable to provide. He complained that he was being
petitioned by a veteran of the bombardment of Lewes, from the War of 1812 seeking
similar documentation.
In General Postles December 1880 report to the Governor, he noted a Regimental
organization of some four companies of infantry “A”, Wilmington, “B”, Milford,“C”,
Wilmington, and “D”, Dover, with a new one “E” being formed in Kent County.
His appointment marked a new turn of events. Under his leadership, a new state
militia law was enacted that provided the basis towards adequate state support for the
Delaware National Guard for the first time since the Civil War. Postles wrote, “Our
people have ever been jealous of the maintenance of a large standing army by the
General government, deeming such a force a menace to their liberties, and have
preferred to depend upon the love and loyalty of the people to come to the defense of
the country in time of need. It requires no argument to show how lame a dependence
this would be, when the necessity arose, if the people of the States were without
military organization training or knowledge. The inadequacy of our present laws to
provide such organization, training and maintenance is amply proved by past
experience”. He added, “I would earnestly urge the adoption of a militia law which
shall provide for the enrollment of all citizens subject to military duty into what shall
be known as the Militia reserve, to be called into service only in great public
emergencies, and when the Active Militia shall prove insufficient.”
Postles then went on to describe in some detail the features of a Militia law that he
deemed important. “It would provide a code of regulations for the government, drill
and discipline of such a force, and for regular and systematic reports from same, and
for regular inspections of same to determine its condition.” His bill would establish a
uniform dress for all troops of the State and should appropriate a moderate sum (say
$5) annually to each active member of a volunteer militia company for the said purpose
of providing said uniforms, as well as rent for armories and drill halls.
In subsequent reports, Postles also asked for tents and camp equipage and funding for
an annual field maneuver, as well as a fire proof building to be used as an arsenal of
arms and ammunition.
In 1883 the term the “National Guard of Delaware” was officially changed from the
“Delaware Volunteer Militia”. This name change also signaled that the organization
was no longer a disparate collection of individual volunteer units. Postles leadership
led to the formation of a truly statewide system, consolidating all the Delaware units
into one cohesive corporate military organization throughout all three counties.
General Postles should be regarded as the founder of the modern Delaware National
Guard.
"The General" was also a Master Mason, Chairman of the Committee to form The
Delaware Mason Home, Wilmington Streets Commissioner, Wilmington Industrialist
(Moroccan Leather), and his portrait hangs in Legislative Hall in Dover.
At age 68, he tripped on the steps of the Grand Opera House in Wilmington,
concussed himself and died. He is buried in the Wilmington-Brandywine Cemetery.
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