26 What war records did the post-war presidents have? (U.S. Civil War)
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This article is from the U.S. Civil War FAQ, by Justin M. Sanders jsanders@jaguar1.usouthal.edu with numerous contributions by others.
26 What war records did the post-war presidents have? (U.S. Civil War)
From: tecump@sulu.ucsb.edu (Dominic J. Dal Bello)
I have looked up what the presidents after Lincoln and up to McKinley
did in the war (from _The Complete Book of US Presidents_ or something
like that.)
ANDREW JOHNSON: In March, 1862, President Lincoln appointed Johnson
military governor of Tennessee with the rank of brigadier general.
ULYSSES GRANT: No intro necessary (lieut. general)
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES: served with the 23d Ohio Infantry from June, 1861,
entering service as a major. October '61: promoted to lt. colonel; Oct.
'62 promoted to colonel, commanding the 23d. After Cedar Creek (Oct.
'64), promoted to brigadier general of vols. Received one of the
infinitely many brevets dated March 13, 1865 to major general, vols.
Resigned June, 1865.
JAMES GARFIELD: Commissioned a lt. col in the 42nd Ohio, Aug. 1861, and
promoted to Col. in November, '61. Commanded the 18th Brig. at Middle
Creek, Jan. '62, defeating superior numbers, and was subsequently promoted
to brigadier general. January, 1863-- appointed Chief of Staff to
Rosecrans, "In a daring ride under enemy fire, during which his horse was
wounded, he conveyed vital information from flank to flank. For this he
was promoted to major general." Rosecrans said of him: "I feel much
indebted to him for both counsel and assistance in the administration of
this army...He possesses the instinct and energy of a great commander."
Elected to Congress in Sept., 1863 Garfield resigned in Dec., 1863.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR: Served in New York State militia from Feb. '58 to Dec.
'62, rising from brigade judge advocate to quartermaster genl. In Jan,
'61, appointed engineer-in-chief with rank of brigadier general. Apr,
'61, promote asst. QM genl; Feb '62 inspect. genl; July `62, QM general.
Spring `62 inspected NY troops in Virginia. War Gov. Edwin D Morgan said:
"He was my chief reliance in the duties of equipping and transporting
troops and munitions of war. In the position of Quarter Master General he
displayed not only great executive ability and unbending integrity, but
great knowledge of Army Regulations. He can say No (which is important)
without giving offense."
GROVER CLEVELAND: Drafted, but purchased a substitute. Paid $150 to
George Brinske (or Benninsky), a 32-year-old Polish immigrant to serve in
his place.
BENJAMIN HARRISON: Was approached by Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton
in early July, 1862 to raise a regiment in the congressional district in
and around Indianapolis. Was given a provisional recruiting commission as
2nd Lt. on 9 July 1862, promoted to Captain on 22 July, and commissioned
Colonel of the 70th Indiana Volunteer Infantry regiment on 7 Aug 1862 when
the regiment was full. The commissions as Lt. and Capt. were essentially
pro forma, as Harrison understood that he was to have command of the 70th
IVI. Commanded a brigade under Hooker in the Atlanta campaign. Hooker
recommended him for promotion to brigadier general for foresight,
discipline and fighting spirit. He was brevetted Brigadier General 23 Jan
1865, and mustered out of the service 8 June 8 1865. He said, "I am not a
Julius Caesar, nor a Napoleon, but a plain Hoosier colonel, with no more
relish for a fight than for a good breakfast and hardly so much."
[Additional info contributed by Steve Towne,
<STEVE_TOWNE_at_ICPRLAN@IMA.ISD.STATE.IN.US>]
WILLIAM McKINLEY: 23d Ohio Infantry from June 61 to July '65, starting
out as a private. April '62 commissary sergeant; for valor at Antietam
(in getting rations to the men) promoted to 2nd Lt. commd'g Co. D, but put
on Col. Rutherford Hayes' staff. Feb 63, promoted 1st Lt.; July 64,
promoted captain. Served on staffs of George Crook and Winfield S
Hancock. March, 1865, breveted major. In uniform, cast his first vote in
1864 (for Lincoln). Hayes said of him: "Young as he was, we soon found
that in the business of a soldier, requiring much executive ability, young
McKinley showed unusual and unsurpassed capacity, especially for a boy of
his age. When battles were fought or service was to be performed in
warlike things, he always filled his place."
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