Alvan Cullem Gillem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alvan Cullem Gillem
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Alvan Cullem Gillem
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| Born | July 29, 1830 Gainesboro, Tennessee |
| Died | December 2, 1875 (aged 45) near Nashville, Tennessee |
| Place of burial |
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1851–1875 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | 10th Tennessee Infantry Fourth Military District |
| Battles/wars | Third Seminole War American Civil War Modoc War |
Alvan Cullem Gillem (July 29, 1830 – December 2, 1875) was an important general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Even though he was born in the South, he stayed loyal to the United States government. He fought in many battles in the western part of the country. After the war, he led troops in Mississippi and Arkansas during a time called Reconstruction. Later, he also played a big part in the Modoc War in 1873.
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Early Life and Army Start
Gillem was born in Gainesboro, Tennessee in Jackson County, Tennessee. In 1851, he finished his studies at the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point. He was 11th in his class.
After West Point, he became a second lieutenant in the artillery. He was sent to Florida to fight in the Third Seminole War until 1852. After that war, he moved to the Texas frontier.
Civil War Service
When the Civil War began, Gillem became a captain in May 1861. He first worked under General George Henry Thomas. Gillem was in charge of supplies for the Army of the Ohio during several campaigns in Tennessee. He was promoted to major for his bravery at the Battle of Mill Springs.
In May 1862, he became a colonel of the 10th Tennessee Infantry. For a while, he was also the military police chief in Nashville after the city was taken by Union forces.
Leading Troops in Tennessee
From June 1863 until the end of the war, Gillem was a brigadier general. He was very active in Tennessee. He commanded soldiers who protected the Nashville and Northwestern railroad from June 1863 to August 1864.
In September 1864, his troops surprised and killed Confederate General John Hunt Morgan in Greeneville, Tennessee. This happened during a mission to protect Union supporters in East Tennessee.
On October 28, Gillem defeated Confederate forces led by General John C. Vaughn at the Battle of Morristown. This battle was called “Vaughn’s Stampede.” However, two weeks later, Vaughn returned with General John C. Breckinridge. They defeated Gillem at the Battle of Bull's Gap. Gillem had to retreat, and this battle became known as “Gillem’s Stampede.”
Later that year, Gillem fought well against Confederates near Marion, Virginia. He was again recognized for his bravery. He earned another special promotion to colonel in the regular army.
End of the War
In January 1865, Gillem was a leader in the meeting to change Tennessee’s state constitution. He also served in the state’s first Legislature after the war.
Afterward, Gillem led Union cavalry in East Tennessee. He also took part in a mission to North Carolina. This mission led to the capture of Salisbury. For this action, he received his third special promotion of the war, becoming a major general in the volunteer army.
After the War
After the Civil War, in January 1866, Gillem was put in charge of the Fourth Military District. This district was based in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It included the Union forces occupying Mississippi and Arkansas. He was officially made a colonel in the regular army in July 1866. Gillem oversaw this district until 1868. He often had disagreements with some politicians in Washington. They had different ideas about how to treat former Confederate soldiers.
When Ulysses S. Grant became President in 1869, Gillem was removed from his command. He was sent to duty in Texas, and later to California. There, he played a role in military actions against the Modoc tribe in 1873.
He was involved in an attack at the Lava Beds on April 15, 1873. However, some of his troops were surprised and badly defeated on April 26 at the Battle of Sand Butte. They lost many soldiers. After this defeat, many people wanted Colonel Gillem to be removed. On May 2, a new commander, General Jefferson C. Davis, officially took over Gillem’s command.
In 1875, Gillem became very sick. He returned home to Tennessee to get better. Sadly, he died at a place for soldiers to recover near Nashville. He was only 45 years old. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.
Family
Alvan Cullem Gillem married Margaret Jones in 1855. They had two children. One of their grandsons was Alvan Cullom Gillem Jr.. He became a lieutenant general and commanded the XIII Corps during World War II.
