Henry M. Duffield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Martyn Duffield
Born	(1842-05-15)May 15, 1842 Detroit, Michigan
Died	July 13, 1912(1912-07-13) (aged 70) Detroit, Michigan
Buried	Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861–1864 and 1898
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Army of the Cumberland
Commands held	Separate Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps
Battles/wars	American Civil War First Battle of Murfreesboro Battle of Stones River Battle of Chickamauga Atlanta Campaign Battle of Resaca Battle of Missionary Ridge Battle of Peachtree Creek Battle of Jonesborough Spanish–American War Battle of the Aguadores
Relations	William Ward Duffield Rev. George Duffield

Henry Martyn Duffield (born May 15, 1842 – died July 13, 1912) was an important American soldier and lawyer. He fought as a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later, he became a brigadier general in the Spanish–American War. He was also a lawyer and involved in politics.

Early Life and Education

Henry Martyn Duffield was born in Detroit, Michigan. His father, Reverend George Duffield, was a pastor in Detroit. Henry married Frances Pitt in 1863.

He went to public schools in Detroit and graduated in 1856. He studied at the University of Michigan for a year. Then, he transferred to Williams College in Massachusetts, graduating in 1861. His brother, William Ward Duffield, also became a general. Their great-grandfather, Reverend George Duffield, was a chaplain in the Revolutionary Army. He was known as "the fighting parson."

Serving in the Civil War

Duffield joined the army in August 1861. He became a private in the 9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Soon after, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.

First Battle of Murfreesboro

In July 1862, Duffield fought in the First Battle of Murfreesboro in Tennessee. His brother, General W. W. Duffield, was wounded twice in this battle. The fighting was so intense that the wounded could not be moved. After the battle, Henry and his wounded brother were captured. They were exchanged and set free two months later.

Key Campaigns and Promotions

In 1862, Duffield became an Assistant Adjutant General. This role meant he helped manage military operations. He was part of the Army of the Cumberland. In 1863, he joined General George Henry Thomas's staff. He commanded the mounted Provost Guard for the Eleventh Army Corps. He fought in major battles like Stone River and Chickamauga, where he was wounded.

During the Siege of Chattanooga in October 1863, he was promoted to Post Adjutant. In this role, he helped create the Chattanooga National Cemetery. This cemetery was a plan to honor fallen soldiers. This idea later led to the system of National cemeteries we have today.

When General Thomas took command of the Department of the Cumberland, Colonel Duffield became his Assistant Provost Marshal General. He served in this role for the rest of the war.

Atlanta Campaign Battles

During General Thomas's Atlanta Campaign, Colonel Duffield was the acting Provost Marshal General. He took part in many tough battles. These included Resaca, Missionary Ridge, Peach Tree Creek, and Jonesboro. The campaign ended in Atlanta. On October 14, 1864, he left the army when his service time ended.

Life After the War

After the Civil War, Colonel Duffield began studying law. In April 1865, he became a lawyer. He worked with his brother, D. Bethune Duffield, until 1876.

Legal Career and Public Service

From 1867 to 1871, he was the attorney for the Board of Education. He successfully won lawsuits to get money back from the County Treasurer. This money was supposed to support public libraries. His work helped create Detroit's great public library system.

Starting in 1881, Colonel Duffield served two terms as City Counselor. He handled all the city's legal cases during that time. He worked on many important cases both for the city and in his private practice. He argued cases in the State and United States Supreme Courts. He continued his law practice, except for his time serving in the Spanish–American War.

Involvement in Politics

Duffield was very interested in politics and was a strong Republican. He was a well-known figure in many city and county meetings. For about fifteen years, he attended every state convention. He was the chairman of state conventions in 1877 and 1880.

In 1888, he was Chairman of the State Central Committee. He was also a delegate to both State and National Conventions. In 1892, he chaired Michigan's delegation at the Minneapolis Convention. He helped cast votes for William McKinley. Even though he was only a delegate twice, he attended every National Convention since 1871. He ran for Congress in 1876 but lost. He was later asked to run for Mayor and other important jobs but always said no.

Service in the Spanish–American War

Even after the Civil War, Colonel Duffield kept his military interests. He served on the staffs of several governors. He also stayed involved with the Detroit Light Guard.

Becoming a Brigadier General

When the call for volunteers came for the war against Spain, experienced Civil War soldiers were chosen. Colonel Duffield was offered a commission as a brigadier general. He accepted, and his rank began on May 27, 1898. On June 14, he took command of a special brigade. This brigade included soldiers from Michigan and Massachusetts.

The government wanted to send more troops to General William Rufus Shafter's army in Cuba. Only one ship was available. General Duffield's brigade was chosen because it was ready to move first. They were quickly sent to Santiago, Cuba.

Battle of Aguadores

In the battle on July 1, General Duffield was given a difficult task. He had to create a distraction at Aguadores. His troops could not cross the river to join the main fight. General Shafter later praised Duffield's actions. He said, "As for General Duffield... he is a soldier, every inch of him. He had a thankless job at the Battle of Aguadores, but he acquitted himself nobly."

A few days later, General Samuel Baldwin Marks Young became ill. General Duffield took command of his division. However, Duffield himself got yellow fever. He went to the hospital and was sent north to recover. He spent several weeks in Maine to regain his health. His last act related to the war was speaking at the Peace Jubilee in Chicago in October 1898.

Organizations and Clubs

General Duffield was a member of many important groups. These included political, military, and social organizations. He was part of the Union League Club of New York and the Army and Navy Club of Washington. He also belonged to the Society of the Army of the Cumberland and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

He was a member of the Detroit Post of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of the American Revolution. In Detroit, he was part of the Yondotega, Detroit, and Country Clubs. He was also a member of the Chi Psi College Fraternity and the Michigan Club, where he served as president and a director.