Everything about Edward Ferrero totally explained
Edward Ferrero (
January 18,
1831 –
December 11,
1899) was one of the leading dance instructors,
choreographers, and ballroom operators in the
United States. He also served as a
Union Army general in the
American Civil War, best remembered for his role in the
Battle of the Crater in 1864.
Early life and career
Ferrero was born in
Granada,
Spain. His parents were natives of
Italy, and had just arrived in Spain when their son was born. Thirteen months later, the family moved to the United States and settled in
New York City. Ferrero's father, a noted dancer and a personal friend of the revolutionary soldier
Garibaldi, soon opened a dance academy. When the elder Ferrero retired in his early fifties, Edward took over operation of the academy. He educated the wealthy and elite of New York society in the art of dance, and originated many dances that spread in popularity throughout the country. Ferrero became renown as one of America's leading experts in dance. He worked part-time as a dance instructor at the
United States Military Academy and was the author of
The Art of Dancing in 1859.
Ferrero was interested in military affairs from his association as a youth with Garibaldi, and from his uncle,
Colonel Lewis Ferrero, who had served in the
Crimean War and the Italian campaign. Edward Ferrero became the
lieutenant colonel of the 11th New York Militia Regiment, serving for six years in the
militia organization. With his skills in choreography and instruction, his troops soon became known for their parade ground precision and military drill.
Civil War
With the outbreak of the Civil War in early 1861, Ferrero raised a
regiment at his own expense, the 51st New York (the "Shepard Rifles"). He was commissioned as its first
colonel and drilled the regiment in military procedures. He led a
brigade of three regiments in
Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's
expedition to Roanoke Island, where his regiment seized the first fortified
Confederate redoubt captured in the war. He also commanded a brigade at
New Bern under
Brig. Gen. Jesse L. Reno.
Transferred northward with his brigade to
Virginia in the summer of 1862, he served in the army of
John Pope during the
Northern Virginia Campaign, including the
Second Battle of Bull Run. In September, he served at the battles of
South Mountain and
Antietam, where his brigade was a part of the Union
IX Corps and stormed
Burnside's Bridge. For his personal bravery at Antietam, the dancer-turned-warrior was promoted to
brigadier general of volunteers on
September 19,
1862. His first action as a general was at
Fredericksburg.
Sent to the
Western Theater along with the IX Corps in early 1863, Ferrero led his brigade with distinction during the
Siege of Vicksburg. He subsequently commanded a
division during the
Knoxville Campaign, and was in command of the defenses of
Fort Sanders. Transferred eastward again in 1864 with the corps, he served in the
Siege of Petersburg, commanding a division of
black troops. His men were involved in the ill-fated
July 30 charge on the Crater, where they suffered significant losses supporting the initial attack of Brig. Gen.
James H. Ledlie's division.
On
December 2,
1864, Ferrero was
breveted major general for "bravery and meritorious services." He served throughout the
Appomattox Campaign in early 1865.
Postbellum
Ferrero mustered out of the army on
August 24,
1865, and returned home to New York City. He chose not to reopen his previous dance academy, but instead leased a building in a new location, eventually turning it into a world-famed ballroom known as
Apollo Hall. In 1872, he terminated his lease and the building was converted into a theater.
Ferrero leased the ballroom of
Tammany Hall for his academy and joined the
Tammany Society, becoming socially active in
Democratic political circles, although he never ran for office. He was active in veterans affairs, including the
Grand Army of the Republic and the
Loyal Legion. He also joined the
Freemasons. He published a second best-selling book,
The History of Dancing, which remains in print today.
He leased the Lenox Lyceum in January 1889 and continued as one of the country's foremost dance instructors for another decade. He retired in May 1899 when he became ill with a variety of ailments that claimed his life by the end of the year.
Ferrero died in New York City and is buried in
Green-Wood Cemetery,
Brooklyn.
Ferrero's books
- The Art of Dancing Historically Illustrated to Which is Added a Few Hints on Etiquette ISBN 1417906952.
- The History of Dancing ISBN 1417906952.
Further Information
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