Department of the Monongahela facts for kids

The Department of the Monongahela was a special military group set up by the U.S. War Department. It was created during the American Civil War, specifically when the big Battle of Gettysburg was happening. Its main job was to protect parts of Pennsylvania and nearby states from Confederate attacks.

Why Was the Department of the Monongahela Created?

In June 1863, President Abraham Lincoln faced a big problem. A famous Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, was planning to invade Maryland and Pennsylvania. To stop this, President Lincoln asked for 100,000 volunteers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. However, only about 33,000 people signed up.

To help organize these new soldiers, the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, decided to create two special military areas. These areas would help gather and train the local citizen soldiers, called militia. Their main goal was to defend Pennsylvania.

Where Was the Department of the Monongahela Located?

One of the new military areas was the Department of the Susquehanna, which covered central and eastern Pennsylvania. The other was the Department of the Monongahela. This department was in charge of western Pennsylvania. It included important places like Johnstown, the Laurel Highlands, and Erie.

It also covered some areas in nearby states. These included Hancock, Brooke, and Ohio counties in West Virginia. Plus, it looked after Columbiana, Jefferson, and Belmont counties in Ohio. The main office for the Department of the Monongahela was set up in Pittsburgh.

Who Led the Department?

The leader of the Department of the Monongahela was Major General William T. H. Brooks. He was a very experienced soldier from the Union side. General Brooks had fought in many battles with the Army of the Potomac. He was known for being energetic and determined.

How Did They Defend Pittsburgh?

General Brooks quickly started working to protect Pittsburgh. He ordered citizens and railroad workers to build strong defenses. They created a complex network of earthworks and forts. These were placed along the main roads that any invading army might use.

Brooks also organized local groups of citizens to defend their homes, called "home guard" units. He sent out scouts to look for any signs of Confederate soldiers. He also made sure to communicate with other Union generals. This included Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside in the nearby Department of the Ohio. He also talked with Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch from the Department of the Susquehanna.

The Governor of Pennsylvania, Andrew Curtin, sent 10,000 rifles, ammunition, and other supplies to Pittsburgh. Even more Federal troops were quickly sent to help defend the city if it was attacked.

Was Pittsburgh Attacked?

Luckily, General Brooks's fears about a direct attack on Pittsburgh did not come true. No large Confederate army ever reached the city. However, there were some concerns. Morgan's Raid, a Confederate cavalry raid, caused worry as it moved through southern Ohio. Also, John D. Imboden's raid on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad caused trouble southeast of Pittsburgh.

After the Union Army won the big Battle of Gettysburg, the threat to Pennsylvania lessened. Also, the capture of Confederate general John Hunt Morgan after the Battle of Salineville made the area safer. Because of this, General Brooks felt that Pittsburgh was secure. He sent the volunteer soldiers and militia home, and the forts were no longer needed.

What Happened to the Department?

The Department of the Monongahela was eventually combined with the Department of the Susquehanna. This happened on April 6, 1864. General Brooks then went back to leading soldiers in battles. He commanded a division in the XVIII Corps as part of the Army of the James.