Peter Gansevoort, an American soldier, born in Albany, July 17, 1749, died July 2, 1812. In 1775 he received the appointment of major in the second New York regiment, and joined the army which under Montgomery invaded Canada. In March, 1776, he was made a lieutenant colonel, and at a later period of the same year he was appointed to the command of Fort George. In 1777 he was placed in command of Fort Stanwix, which he gallantly defended against a vigorous siege of 20 days by British and Indians under St. Leger, whose cooperation with Burgoyne he thereby prevented, and received the thanks of congress. In 1781 the state of New York raised him to the rank of brigadier general. He was successively commissioner of Indian affairs, commissioner for fortifying the frontiers, and military agent. In 1809 he was appointed brigadier general in the United States army.