Cyrus Hamlin (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cyrus Hamlin
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Cyrus Hamlin
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| Born | April 26, 1839 Hampden, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | August 28, 1867 (aged 28) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Place of burial |
Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor, Maine, U.S.
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| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862 - 1866 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Hannibal Hamlin (father) Charles Hamlin (brother) |
Cyrus Hamlin (born April 26, 1839 – died August 28, 1867) was an important person from Bangor, Maine. He was a lawyer, a politician, and a general. He fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Cyrus Hamlin's Early Life
Cyrus Hamlin was born on April 26, 1839, in Hampden, Maine. This town is close to Bangor. He was the third son of Hannibal Hamlin, who was the Vice President of the United States. Cyrus also had a brother named Charles Hamlin. Charles became a major in the Union Army.
Cyrus went to Hampden Academy for his schooling. He then studied at Waterville College, which is now called Colby College. In 1860, he became a lawyer. He worked as a lawyer for one year in Kittery, Maine.
Serving in the Civil War
In April 1862, Cyrus Hamlin joined the Union Army as a captain. He worked as an assistant to Major General John C. Frémont.
Cyrus Hamlin was one of the first people to suggest that African-American soldiers should join the Union Army. In February 1863, he became the first colonel of the 80th United States Colored Troops. He was sent to serve in Louisiana. There, he led a group of black troops. He also took part in the Siege of Port Hudson.
In December 1864, he was promoted to brigadier general. He was then put in charge of the military area around Port Hudson, Louisiana. Cyrus Hamlin left the army on January 15, 1866.
On February 21, 1866, President Andrew Johnson suggested that Hamlin receive an honorary rank. This rank was brevet major general in the U.S. Volunteers. The U.S. Senate approved this on April 26, 1866.
Hamlin was also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. This was a group for officers who fought for the Union.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Cyrus Hamlin stayed in Louisiana. This was during the early time of Reconstruction. Sadly, he died in 1867 from a sickness called yellow fever.
He was first buried in New Orleans. But three months later, his body was moved. He was reburied in his family's burial spot at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor, Maine.
