Eliakim P. Scammon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eliakim P. Scammon
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| Born | December 27, 1816 Whitefield, Maine |
| Died | December 7, 1894 (aged 77) New York City, New York |
| Place of burial |
Calvary Cemetery, Queens, New York
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1837–1856, 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands held | Kanawha Division |
| Battles/wars | Seminole Wars Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Other work | Professor |
Eliakim Parker Scammon (born December 27, 1816 – died December 7, 1894) was an important officer in the United States Army. He became a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Early Life and Military Career
Eliakim Scammon was born in Whitefield, Maine. He attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He graduated in 1837, ranking 9th in his class. After graduating, he stayed at West Point. He worked there as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics.
Because he was a top student, he joined a new group. This was the U.S. Army Corps of Topographic Engineers in 1838. These engineers mapped land and designed military projects. Scammon served in the Seminole Wars and the Mexican–American War. He worked under General Winfield Scott in Mexico. He became a Captain in 1853. He then worked on different land surveying projects. In 1856, he left the military.
After leaving the army, Scammon moved to Ohio. He became a Professor of Mathematics at Mount Saint Mary's College. Later, he became the President and Professor of Mathematics at the Catholic Institute in Cincinnati. He had become a Catholic in 1846.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Scammon wanted to help. In June 1861, he offered his skills to William Dennison, the Governor of Ohio. He was made a Colonel of the 23rd Ohio Infantry regiment. Two future Presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley, served under him. His regiment fought in what is now West Virginia.
Scammon's unit became part of the IX Corps in the Army of the Potomac. He led the 1st Brigade of the Kanawha Division. During the Maryland Campaign, he led his soldiers in a charge up South Mountain. He also fought bravely at the Battle of Antietam. His men faced a strong counterattack from Confederate soldiers.
In October 1862, Scammon was promoted. He became a brigadier general of volunteers. He continued to lead his division in important battles. He sometimes had disagreements with Rutherford B. Hayes, who was his subordinate. On February 3, 1864, General Scammon was captured. This happened when guerrillas from the 16th Virginia Cavalry raided a steamboat he was on. He was later exchanged and returned to duty in South Carolina. He was captured again along the South Carolina coast. After another exchange, he was put in charge of a brigade in Florida. He officially left the army in August 1865.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Eliakim Scammon continued to serve. He became the U.S. Consul to Prince Edward Island in Canada. Later, he was a Professor of Mathematics at Seton Hall College in New Jersey. Bowdoin College in Maine gave him an honorary degree.
Scammon passed away in New York City in 1894. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Long Island City, New York.
Eliakim had two famous brothers. His brother, J. Young Scammon, became a very wealthy man in Chicago. He was a lawyer, newspaper owner, and businessman. Another brother, Charles Melville Scammon, was a well-known whaleman and naturalist. He wrote a famous book about marine mammals.
