Fitz Henry Warren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fitz Henry Warren
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| Born | January 11, 1816 Brimfield, Massachusetts |
| Died | June, 1878 (aged 61–62) Brimfield, Massachusetts |
| Place of burial |
Brimfield Cemetery, Brimfield, Massachusetts
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Rank |  Brevet Major General |
| Unit | 1st Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Fitz Henry Warren (born January 11, 1816 – died June 1878) was an important American politician and a brave general in the Union Army. He served during the American Civil War.
Early Life and Political Beginnings
Fitz Henry Warren was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts. In 1844, he moved to Burlington, Iowa. There, he worked as a journalist for the Burlington Hawkeye newspaper.
He became very active in politics, joining the Whig Party. He was known for suggesting that General Zachary Taylor should run for President. Warren was also a delegate at the Whig Party's big meeting in 1848.
When Zachary Taylor became President in 1849, Warren was appointed as the First Assistant Postmaster General. This was a high-ranking job in the postal service.
After President Taylor passed away, Warren resigned from his job. He did this to protest President Millard Fillmore's support of the Fugitive Slave Law. This law made it harder for enslaved people to escape to freedom.
Warren then became secretary of the Whig Party's National Executive Committee. He worked with Whigs who were against slavery. In 1856, he helped create the Republican Party. He also helped nominate John C. Frémont as their first presidential candidate.
Serving in the Civil War
In 1861, the American Civil War began. Fitz Henry Warren was a main writer for the New York Tribune newspaper. He wrote articles called "On to Richmond" after the First Battle of Bull Run. These articles encouraged the Union army to advance.
After the battle, Warren returned to Iowa. He became a Colonel and helped form the 1st Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. This was a group of soldiers who fought for the Union.
On July 18, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln made Warren a brigadier general. He was given command of an army unit in Missouri.
In 1863, General Warren was a top choice to become the Governor of Iowa. However, other candidates' supporters worked together, and he was not chosen.
Later, on February 21, 1866, President Andrew Johnson honored Warren. He was promoted to brevet major general. This was a special honorary rank. Warren officially left the volunteer army on August 24, 1865.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Warren continued his public service. In 1866, he was elected to the Iowa State Senate. He served one term there.
President Andrew Johnson then appointed him as the United States Minister to Guatemala. This meant he was America's top diplomat in Guatemala. He served in this role for two years, until 1869.
In 1872, he was a presidential elector for the Democratic Party. Fitz Henry Warren passed away in June 1878 in his hometown of Brimfield, Massachusetts. He is buried in the Brimfield Cemetery.
