Hannibal Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hannibal Day
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Hannibal Day, promoted to Brevet Brigadier General on 13 March 1865
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| Born | February 15, 1804 Montpelier, Vermont |
| Died | March 26, 1891 (aged 87) Morristown, New Jersey |
| Buried |
Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Massachusetts
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union (1861 – 1865) |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1823-1869 |
| Rank | Colonel (Regular Army) Brigadier General (Brevet) |
| Unit | United States Army Infantry Branch |
| Commands held | 2nd U.S. Infantry 6th U.S. Infantry First Brigade, Second Division, V Corps Fort Hamilton, New York |
| Battles/wars | Black Hawk War Seminole War Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Hannibal Day (born February 15, 1804 – died March 26, 1891) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served for 46 years, fighting in several major wars. These included the Black Hawk War, the Seminole War, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War. He was one of the oldest officers in the Union Army during the Civil War. Day led a group of soldiers called a brigade in the Army of the Potomac and fought in the famous Battle of Gettysburg.
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Early Life and Education
Hannibal Day was born in Montpelier, Vermont, on February 15, 1804. His father, Dr. Sylvester Day, was an army surgeon. His mother was Avis (Bliss) Day. Because his father's job moved the family often, Hannibal was educated in many different places.
During the War of 1812, Hannibal Day and his father were captured by the British Army at Fort Michilimackinac in Michigan. They were held at Fort Detroit for a short time. Later, they were released on parole at Old Fort Erie in Ontario. American forces eventually rescued them by boat from the fort on Lake Erie.
After the war, Hannibal Day grew up in Vermont. In 1818, he was accepted into the United States Military Academy. He started in 1819 because of health issues. He graduated in 1823, ranking 23rd in his class of 35 students.
Beginning His Army Career
On July 1, 1823, Day became a second lieutenant in the Infantry. He was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment and stayed with them for most of his early career. He served at different forts, including Fort Brady in Michigan and Fort Niagara in New York.
In 1832 and 1833, Day fought in the Black Hawk War. He then served in places like Hancock Barracks in Maine and Fort Independence in Massachusetts. From 1838 to 1839, he took part in the Seminole War in Florida. He became ill and took a break from duty before returning to Florida until 1842.
Fighting in the Mexican-American War
From 1846 to 1847, Day fought in the Mexican–American War. He was part of the 2nd Infantry and participated in several important battles. These included the Battle of Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec.
After the Mexican-American War, Day served in various locations across the United States. He was at Fort Hamilton in New York and then traveled by sea to California. In California, he served at frontier posts like Sutterville and Camp Far West. He also served in Missouri, Minnesota, and the Dakota Territory at forts like Fort Ridgely and Fort Laramie.
American Civil War Service
On February 25, 1861, Day was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 2nd U.S. Infantry. He commanded the 2nd Infantry in Washington, D.C., for several months. On June 7, 1862, he became a colonel and commander of the 6th U.S. Infantry.
Day joined the Army of the Potomac on June 28, 1863. He led the First Brigade, Second Division, of the V Corps. His brigade fought bravely at the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 2, 1863, his brigade faced a strong attack in an area known as the Wheatfield. They suffered many losses during this intense fighting.
Hannibal Day was one of the oldest officers to command soldiers at Gettysburg. Only his classmate, George S. Greene, was older. Day officially retired on August 1, 1863, but was asked to continue serving. He left the Army of the Potomac and commanded Fort Hamilton in New York from August 1863 to June 1864. He continued to serve on military boards until his final retirement on June 15, 1869. On March 13, 1865, he was given the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general to recognize his many years of dedicated service.
Later Life and Family
Day passed away in Morristown, New Jersey, on March 26, 1891. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Leominster, Massachusetts. At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest living graduates of West Point.
In 1831, Hannibal Day married Anna Maria Houghton. They had several children, including:
- Sylvester Henry Day (1840-1926), who became the postmaster of Carson City, Nevada and a leader in the Nevada National Guard.
- Russell Hamilton Day (1845-1882), an Army officer who died while on duty.
- Murray Simpson Day (1845-1878), a United States Navy officer who died at sea. He was married to Anna Mary Greene, the daughter of Major General George S. Greene.
- Lavinia Day (1847-1933), who married Army surgeon John Van Rensselaer Hoff.
Promotions Through the Ranks
Throughout his long career, Hannibal Day moved up through the ranks in the United States Army. He started as a second lieutenant and eventually reached the rank of colonel. He also received an honorary promotion to brigadier general.
- Second lieutenant: July 1, 1823
- First lieutenant: April 4, 1832
- Captain: July 7, 1838
- Major: February 23, 1852
- Lieutenant colonel: February 25, 1861
- Colonel: January 7, 1862
- Brevet brigadier general (honorary rank): March 13, 1865
