Question of the Week: 2/20-2/26/23
Ties to the Civil War theme for today’s question…
Which relative or descendent of U.S. President has the most interesting story connected to the Civil War?
Ties to the Civil War theme for today’s question…
Which relative or descendent of U.S. President has the most interesting story connected to the Civil War?
General Richard Taylor has to have one of the most interesting stories. Related to President Zachery Taylor he fought in the Eastern theater under Stonewall Jackson in the Valley and in the Trans Mississippi under Kirby Smith during the Red River campaign,
Perhaps more infamous, then famous, are President Lincoln’s confederate in-laws … first lady Mary Todd Lincoln had three half-brothers who served, tragically, in the western theater — Samuel killed at Shiloh in Apr. 1862, Alexander killed at Baton Rouge later that year, and David wounded at Vicksburg.
The most well-known of the Lincoln’s rebel relations was Mary’s brother-in-law, Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin Helm … Helm was killed at Chickamauga leading Kentucky’s Orphan Brigade … Helm’s grieving widow and daughter, Mary’s half-sister Emilie, visited the White House in December 1863 and again in the summer of 1864 … the president took significant grief from the northern press and his opponents over the visit … but he was unyielding in his support for his wife and “little sister” Emilie … for more on Lincoln’s sister-in-law see:
http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/residents-visitors/relatives-and-residents/relatives-residents-emilie-emily-todd-helm/
Perhaps more infamous, then famous, are President Lincoln’s confederate in-laws … first lady Mary Todd Lincoln had three half-brothers who served, tragically, in the western theater: brother Samuel was killed at Shiloh in Apr. 1862 … later that year Alexander was killed at Baton Rouge … the final casualty was David, wounded at Vicksburg.
The most well-known of the Lincoln’s rebel relations was Mary’s brother-in-law, Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin Helm, killed at Chickamauga leading Kentucky’s “Orphan Brigade” … Helm’s grieving widow and daughter, Mary’s half-sister Emilie, visited the White House in December 1863 and again in the summer of 1864 … the president took significant grief from the northern press and his opponents over Emilie’s visit … but the President was unyielding in his support for Mary and his “little sister” Emilie.
For more on Lincoln and Emile see: http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/residents-visitors/relatives-and-residents/relatives-residents-emilie-emily-todd-helm/
What about President Benjamin Harrison? I looked up that he was a colonel in the Civil War and the man who, when elected, separated President Cleveland’s two terms.
Perhaps more infamous, then famous, are President Lincoln’s confederate in-laws … first lady Mary Todd Lincoln had three half-brothers who served, tragically, in the western theater … brother Samuel was killed at Shiloh in Apr. 1862 … later that year Alexander was killed at Baton Rouge … the final casualty was David who was wounded at Vicksburg.
The most well-known of the Lincoln’s rebel relations was Mary’s brother-in-law, Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin Helm, killed at Chickamauga leading Kentucky’s Orphan Brigade … Helm’s grieving widow, Mary’s half-sister Emilie, visited the White House in December 1863 and again in the summer of 1864 … Lincoln took significant grief from the press and his opponents over Emilie’s visit … but he was unyielding in his support for Mary and his “little sister” Emilie.
Richard Nixon had an ancestor who was killed at Gettysburg and buried in the National Cemetery.
“Which relative or descendant of a U.S. President has the most interesting story connected to the Civil War?”
Jim Garfield, son of President James Garfield, clearly has “the most interesting story connected to the Civil War.” Aside from valuable service to President Theodore Roosevelt, Jim’s story was most interesting because it concerned the fact that his father, James Garfield, was a president of the United States who performed critical service in the Battle of Chickamauga (The Garfield Children, American Experience https://tinyurl.com/2p9xzt8u). Future President James Garfield was General William Rosecrans Chief of Staff for the Army of the Cumberland during the battle. On the second day, Rosecrans retreated in disarray to Chattanooga He then ordered Brigadier General Garfield to ride to General George Thomas commanding Union forces still resisting the Confederate attack on Snodgrass Hill at Chickamauga. The ride was perilous Upon arriving and assessing the situation, the future President reported: “‘General Thomas has fought a most terrific battle and has damaged the enemy badly’—so much so, he believed, that if Rosecrans sent the balance of the army to reinforce Thomas, it could still win victory the next day.” This assessment gave Rosecrans a chance to return to the battlefield, rally his troops, and save the day; advice that was ignored (Civil War Monitor https://tinyurl.com/2uhvpyyn). Garfield also reported: “Thomas standing like a rock. Seven divisions intact ” (Civil War Monitor). This may have been the source of Thomas’ heroic nickname conferred by the press, The Rock of Chickamauga.