Department of the South facts for kids

The Department of the South was a special military area created by the United States Army during the 1800s. It was active at different times, especially during and after the American Civil War. Think of it like a specific zone where a group of soldiers was in charge of keeping peace and order.

The Civil War Years (1862–1865)

General Gillmore's headquarters at Hilton Head

After the first 11 months of the American Civil War, starting in March 1862, the Department of the South was formed. It included Union Army troops who were controlling parts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

This department included important places like Hilton Head and Morris Island in South Carolina. It also covered Savannah, Georgia and Pensacola, Florida. Over time, some areas were moved to other departments. For example, parts of Florida went to the Department of the Gulf. Also, Key West and the Dry Tortugas were transferred away.

For a while, the person in charge of this department was also the commander of the X Corps, which was a large group of Union soldiers. Briefly, in January 1865, North Carolina was also added to this department.

By May 1865, the remaining part of Florida in the department was moved to the Department of the Gulf. Then, in June 1865, Georgia and South Carolina were split into their own separate departments. This ended the first version of the Department of the South. But it would be created again later with different areas.

Leaders During the Civil War

Several important generals led the Department of the South during the Civil War:

• Major General David Hunter: He was in charge from March to September 1862, and again from January to June 1863.
• Major General Ormsby M. Mitchel: He led from September to October 1862, but sadly passed away from yellow fever.
• Major General Quincy Adams Gillmore: He was a key leader, commanding from June 1863 to May 1864, and again from February to November 1865.

After the War (1866–1867)

The Department of the South was brought back on May 19, 1866. This time, it included military posts in Georgia and Alabama.

However, it was quickly reorganized. By August 1866, it changed to include North Carolina and South Carolina. Georgia and Alabama were then moved to the Department of Tennessee. This version of the department didn't last long. In May 1867, it was combined into the Second Military District.

A Brief Return (1868)

The Department of the South was formed again in 1868. This time, it covered military posts in North Carolina and South Carolina, which came from the Second Military District. It also included posts in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, which came from the Third Military District.

General George G. Meade, a famous Civil War general, was in charge of this department from July 1868 to March 1869.

The Reconstruction Era (1869–1883)

In its final version, the Department of the South was responsible for the states in the former Confederacy that were going through Reconstruction. This was a time when the Southern states were being rebuilt and brought back into the United States after the Civil War.

This department was part of a larger military group called the Military Division of the South until 1876. After that, it became part of the Military Division of the Atlantic.

Leaders During Reconstruction

Some of the generals who led the department during this period included:

• Brigadier General Thomas Howard Ruger: September 1876 to July 1878.
• Brigadier General Christopher Columbus Augur: July 1878 to December 1880.
• Colonel Henry Jackson Hunt: January 1881 to September 1883.