Daniel Tompkins Van Buren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Tompkins Van Buren
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Van Buren as a Union Army colonel, circa 1862. Seward R. Osborne Collection.
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| Born | January 15, 1826 Kingston, New York |
| Died | July 16, 1890 (aged 64) Plainfield, New Jersey |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army New York Militia Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1855 (U.S. Army) 1858–1861 (Militia) 1861–1865 (Union Army) |
| Rank | First Lieutenant (U.S. Army) Colonel (Militia) Brigadier General (Brevet) (Union Army) |
| Unit | 2nd Artillery Regiment Faculty, United States Military Academy Office of Coast Survey 3rd Division, New York Militia
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| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Julia (Morris) Van Buren (1833–1915) (m. 1863) |
| Relations | 4 children John Van Buren (father) |
| Other work | Attorney Engineer |
Daniel Tompkins Van Buren (born January 15, 1826 – died July 16, 1890) was an American soldier and engineer. He became a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. This special rank, called a brevet, was given for excellent service.
Daniel was born in Kingston, New York. His father, John Van Buren, was a Congressman and a judge. Daniel went to the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1847. He fought in the Mexican–American War.
After his father passed away in 1855, Daniel left the army. He went back to Kingston to manage his father's affairs. There, he studied law and became a lawyer. He also worked as an engineer and surveyor. He even served as an engineer officer in the state militia.
When the American Civil War began, Van Buren rejoined the army. He mostly worked as the chief of staff for General John Adams Dix. Daniel rose through the ranks and earned his brevet promotion to brigadier general. After the war, he continued his work as an engineer and surveyor. He passed away in Plainfield, New Jersey, and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Daniel T. Van Buren was born in Kingston, New York, on January 15, 1826. His mother was Laura Hardy Van Buren. His father, John Van Buren, was a lawyer and judge from Kingston. His father also served in the New York State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Daniel went to school in Kingston and graduated from Kingston Academy. In 1843, he started attending the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1847, ranking 6th in his class of 38 students. He became a second lieutenant in the artillery corps.
Starting His Career
After graduating, Van Buren joined the 2nd Artillery Regiment. He served in the Mexican–American War. This included the Battle for Mexico City and staying in the city after the war. In 1849, he was promoted to first lieutenant.
After the war, Van Buren became an assistant professor at West Point. He taught subjects like natural philosophy. He stayed at West Point until 1852. His next job was with the Office of Coast Survey. Here, he helped survey land and make maps at different U.S. ports.
In 1855, Daniel's father, John Van Buren, died. Daniel left the Army to go back to Kingston. He needed to take care of his father's estate. While in Kingston, he studied law and became a lawyer. He also worked as a civil engineer and surveyor for Ulster County. In 1858, he became a colonel in the New York Militia. He was also appointed as an engineer officer for the militia's 3rd Division.
Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, New York's 20th Infantry Regiment was called to serve. Van Buren joined as a captain and engineer officer. He served near Annapolis, Maryland for three months.
After his regiment's service ended, Van Buren stayed on active duty. In August 1861, he joined the staff of John Adams Dix. Dix was a major general leading military departments in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Van Buren started as Dix's adjutant and chief of staff with the rank of major. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel later that month. In June 1862, he became a colonel and Dix's aide-de-camp.
Van Buren continued to serve with General Dix. Dix commanded different units, including a division of the Army of the Potomac. He also led the VII Army Corps. Later, Van Buren served under Joseph Hooker. In March 1865, he was promoted to brigadier general by brevet. This was to recognize his excellent service during the war. After the war, Van Buren was active in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Van Buren worked as a surveyor and civil engineer. He first worked in Kingston, then later in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was also involved in several businesses. One of these was a bluestone quarry near Kingston. This quarry provided many of the paving stones used in New York City in the mid-to-late 1800s.
Family Life
In August 1863, Van Buren married Julia Morris (1833–1915). Julia's father, James Ludlum Morris, was an officer in the United States Navy. Daniel and Julia Van Buren had four children:
- Edward Morris Van Buren (1865–1935)
- Francis Persen Van Buren (1868–1889)
- Laurens Hardy Van Buren (1871–1932)
- Julian Tompkins Van Buren (1874–1879)
Death and Burial
Daniel Tompkins Van Buren passed away in Plainfield, New Jersey, on July 16, 1890. He was buried in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery.
