Hasbrouck Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hasbrouck Davis
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| Born | April 19, 1827 Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Died | October 19, 1870 (aged 43) Northwest coast of Ireland |
| Cenotaph |
Rural Cemetery, Worcester, Massachusetts
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | 12th Illinois Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Father "Honest" John Davis Brother John Chandler Bancroft Davis |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Hasbrouck Davis (born April 19, 1827 – died October 19, 1870) was an American general from Massachusetts. He was the son of a famous politician, "Honest" John Davis. Hasbrouck Davis went to Williams College and worked as a teacher for a short time. Later, he studied to become a Unitarian minister.
He then decided to study law and moved to Chicago, Illinois, to work as a lawyer. In 1862, he joined the army with the 12th Illinois Cavalry. He later became a colonel and led this group of soldiers. Near the end of his time in the army, he was given the honorary rank of brigadier general. Sadly, in 1870, he died when the ship he was on, the SS Cambria, sank.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hasbrouck Davis was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1827. He was the third son of "Honest" John Davis, who was a U.S. Representative and later a U.S. Senator. Hasbrouck went to public schools in his hometown.
In 1841, he started college at Williams College. He finished his studies four years later. After college, he went back to Worcester and taught at the high school for a year.
From Minister to Lawyer
After teaching, Hasbrouck Davis decided he wanted to become a minister. He traveled to Heidelberg, in Baden, to learn German. In 1849, he returned to Massachusetts. He became the pastor of the Unitarian church in Watertown.
Davis was a minister for only a few years. He then decided to leave the church and study law. In 1854, he became a lawyer and opened his own law office in Boston. The next year, Davis moved west to Chicago, Illinois. There, he started a very successful law firm.
Military Service in the Civil War
In February 1862, Hasbrouck Davis joined the 12th Illinois Cavalry as a lieutenant colonel. He arrived shortly after the First Battle of Winchester. Davis was put in charge of scouting missions. On one mission near Bunker Hill, West Virginia, he successfully fought off an attack from Confederate soldiers.
The next morning, the Confederates attacked again. Davis sent out a small group of forty soldiers near Darkesville, West Virginia. Under his command, they defeated the enemy troops. They killed 25 soldiers and captured 50 prisoners.
Leading the Regiment
In October 1862, the unit's colonel, Arno Voss, left for recruiting duty. This put Davis in charge of the regiment until February of the next year. The unit fought in the Battle of Harpers Ferry. They managed to escape the surrounded fort and even captured some prisoners.
During Stoneman's 1863 raid as part of the Battle of Chancellorsville, Davis was ordered to take a group of soldiers. Their mission was to damage the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac and Virginia Central Railroads. In November 1863, he returned to Illinois with his regiment to reorganize it.
On January 5, 1864, Davis was promoted to colonel. This happened after Colonel Voss had to leave due to illness. His regiment was then sent to the Army of the Gulf in Louisiana. They helped strengthen Fort Butler near Donaldsonville. On October 31, he was moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
End of War Service
On January 5, 1865, the regiment moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Their job was to scout for Embury D. Osband and the 3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment. On March 12, 1865, Davis was given the honorary rank of brigadier general. He was then sent to George Armstrong Custer in Alexandria, Louisiana.
However, Davis became ill and had to leave the army on August 1. He went back to Chicago and continued his work as a lawyer. He also served one term as the city attorney.
Later Life and Legacy
Hasbrouck Davis married Martha W. Stickney in November 1850. They had four children together. In 1870, he boarded the SS Cambria to travel around Europe. Sadly, the ship sank off the coast of Ireland on October 19.
Davis was one of 178 people who lost their lives in the shipwreck. His body was never found. A memorial, called a cenotaph, was put up in his honor at Rural Cemetery in Worcester.
See also
- Davis political family
