Edmund Underwood facts for kids

Edmund Underwood (1826–1863) was born in Pennsylvania. He was a brave soldier who fought in the Mexican-American War. Later, he became an officer in the U.S. Army.

Life and Military Service

Edmund Underwood served as an officer in the 4th Infantry Regiment. He was stationed at different army posts in California and Oregon Territory. When the American Civil War began, he became a Major in the Union Army. He was part of the 18th Infantry Regiment.

Early Career and Western Posts

Underwood fought bravely in the Mexican-American War. Because of his good service, he became a Second Lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Regiment on March 3, 1848. In 1852, he was sent to the Pacific Coast. He traveled there through Panama.

In 1853, Underwood and his wife were stationed at Fort Humboldt. His first son, Edmund Beardsley Underwood, was born there. Underwood was promoted to First Lieutenant on March 24, 1853. He was then stationed at Fort Reading. Interestingly, at the same time, Ulysses Simpson Grant was also at Fort Humboldt.

Service in the Bald Hills War

In 1857, Captain Underwood went back to the eastern United States for a short time. He returned to the west coast in the fall of 1858. He was sent back to Fort Humboldt. This was when the Bald Hills War was starting.

Captain Underwood led a group of soldiers from Fort Humboldt. They went to a place called Pardee's Ranch. Their job was to protect supply trains. These trains carried important goods over the Bald Hills. They needed protection from attacks by the Whilkut people. Later, Captain Underwood helped build Fort Gaston. This fort was among the Hupa people on the Trinity River. He was in charge of the soldiers stationed there.

American Civil War and Later Life

When the American Civil War started, Underwood was promoted to Major on May 14, 1861. He took command of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 18th Infantry Regiment. He returned to the east to train his troops. Their training camp was called Camp Thomas, near Columbus.

On November 30, 1861, Underwood's battalion was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky. They were to report to General Buell. General Buell was putting together the Army of the Ohio. Before his regiment saw its first battle, Underwood retired from command on February 27, 1862.

Even after retiring from command, Underwood continued to serve the United States. He worked as an officer in charge of gathering soldiers and paying them in northern New York. Edmund Underwood passed away at the age of 37 on September 5, 1863, in Utica, New York. He was buried in Oswego, New York.