George H. Crosman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George H. Crosman
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| Born | November 2, 1799 Taunton, Massachusetts |
| Died | May 28, 1882 (aged 82) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial |
The Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1823–1866 |
| Rank | Colonel Brevet Major General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | Black Hawk War Second Seminole War Mexican–American War American Civil War |
George Hampden Crosman (born November 2, 1799 – died May 28, 1882) was an important officer in the United States Army. He spent most of his career working for the Quartermaster Corps. This part of the army is in charge of getting supplies, food, and equipment to soldiers.
Crosman graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1823. He served in different army posts across the central United States. He was one of the first army officers to suggest using camels to carry supplies. This idea was called the U.S. Camel Corps.
As a Quartermaster officer, he played a key role in several wars. These included the Second Seminole War, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War. During the Civil War, he earned the honorary rank of brevet major general. He held important jobs, especially as the quartermaster for the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia. This was the army's biggest supply center at the time.
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Early Military Service
George H. Crosman was born in Taunton, Massachusetts in 1799. He joined the United States Military Academy in 1819. After finishing his studies, he became a second lieutenant in the 6th United States Infantry.
During the 1820s, he served at various frontier posts. These included Fort Mackinac in Michigan and Fort Atkinson in Nebraska. He also served at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri. Crosman took part in General Atkinson's trip up the Missouri River in 1825. He also fought in the Black Hawk War in 1832.
He often helped with quartermaster duties, even though he was an infantry officer. In 1838, he officially moved from the Infantry to the Quartermaster Department.
The Idea of a Camel Corps
Crosman was one of the first officers to suggest that the U.S. Army use camels to transport supplies. In 1836, he wrote a detailed report about this idea. He proposed creating a U.S. Camel Corps.
Later, camels were successfully used in some small army trips in the desert areas of the Southwestern United States. This happened in the 1840s and 1850s. However, by the time the Civil War started, the idea of a Camel Corps was no longer being used.
Service in the Mexican-American War
During the Mexican–American War, Captain Crosman worked as an assistant quartermaster. His job usually kept him away from direct fighting. However, he was given the honorary rank of major during the Battle of Palo Alto. This was for his "gallant and meritorious service" when the supply train he was in charge of came under attack.
Civil War Contributions
In the years before the Civil War, Crosman continued to serve in the Quartermaster Corps. He was stationed in Utah and held the rank of lieutenant colonel.
When the Civil War began in April 1861, Crosman was made Chief Quartermaster for the Department of Pennsylvania. This department included all army bases and soldiers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. His job was to make sure food and supplies reached soldiers across these three states.
Supplying Troops in the Field
In August 1861, the Department of Pennsylvania joined with the Department of the Potomac. After this, Crosman worked as a quartermaster for army units in battle. He notably served the V Corps and later the II Corps in 1862.
Crosman was responsible for getting supplies to thousands of soldiers. He did this during major campaigns like the Peninsular Campaign and the Northern Virginia Campaign.
Leading the Schuylkill Arsenal
In September 1862, Crosman moved to Philadelphia. He became the quartermaster for the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, also known as the Schuylkill Arsenal. This was the main supply center for the U.S. Department of War.
Crosman worked at this important post for almost two years, until August 1864. He was promoted to colonel in the Regular Army in February 1863. For his loyal service during the war, he received honorary promotions. He was made a brevet brigadier general in July 1866. Later, he was also made a brevet major general in April 1867.
Life After the War and Legacy
George H. Crosman left active army service in July 1866. However, he was appointed Chief Quartermaster for the Department of the East in August 1866. Based in Philadelphia, he oversaw the sale of extra military property until August 1867.
After his final retirement, he lived in Philadelphia with his wife, Hannah Blair Foster Crosman. He passed away on May 28, 1882, in Philadelphia. His granddaughter, Henrietta Crosman, became a famous stage and film actress.
The George H. Crosman United States Army Reserve Center in Taunton, Massachusetts, is named in his honor.
