The Blue & the Gray
The Blue: Abraham Hart
Assistant Adjutant General (1832-1915)
Born in the German state of Hesse-Darmstadt, Abraham Hart immigrated to Philadelphia in 1850. In 1861 he joined the 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry and was promoted to captain. He was appointed assistant adjutant general—a military administrative officer—before he was wounded in the Second Battle of Bull Run.
After recovering from his wounds in Washington, Hart remained in the city and worked to send supplies to soldiers in the field. After the war he worked as a lawyer and served as commander of the Department of the Potomac, Grand Army of the Republic (a Union veterans’ organization).
He is buried at Washington Hebrew Cemetery. Hart’s granddaughter, Rosa Frank, married Herbert Rich, owner of Rich’s Shoe Store.
Abraham Hart
Abraham Hart’s invitation to the 1892 Grand Army of the Republic Encampment at the Pension Building. Union veterans attended annual multi-day gatherings, or encampments, to commemorate their service.