Jacob Ford Kent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacob Ford Kent
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Brigadier Jacob F. Kent
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| Born | September 14, 1835 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 22, 1918 (aged 83) Troy, New York |
| Buried |
United States Military Academy Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1898 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | 24th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
Indian Wars |
Jacob Ford Kent (born September 14, 1835 – died December 22, 1918) was an important United States Army general. He fought in several major conflicts, including the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War.
Early Life and Civil War Service
Jacob Ford Kent was born in 1835 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1861, just as the American Civil War was beginning.
Kent joined the Union army. He was first part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry. Later, he worked as an assistant inspector general. During the war, he earned special promotions for his brave actions. These promotions were for his service at battles like Marye's Heights, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg. He finished the Civil War as a brevet colonel.
Service in the American West
After the Civil War, Kent returned to regular army duty. He was a captain in the 3rd U.S. Infantry. He served in frontier areas like Montana, Colorado, and Nebraska. These were times of conflict known as the American Indian Wars.
In 1885, Kent was promoted to major. He was stationed at Fort Omaha in Nebraska. During his time there, the Ghost Dance War occurred. This conflict ended with the Wounded Knee Massacre. Major Kent helped investigate what happened at Wounded Knee.
Spanish–American War and Retirement
In May 1898, war broke out between the United States and Spain. Jacob Kent was made a brigadier general of volunteers. He took command of the First Division of the Fifth Army Corps. This group was sent to Cuba.
His forces landed at Daiquirí. During the famous Battle of San Juan Hill, Kent's division led the main attack. They charged up San Juan Hill itself. Meanwhile, the Rough Riders attacked nearby Kettle Hill. Kent's division faced heavy fighting and many soldiers were injured or killed. Despite this, U.S. forces successfully captured the heights. Kent's division then took part in the Siege of Santiago.
In October 1898, he became a brigadier general in the regular army. He was briefly sent to the Philippines. General Kent retired from the army later in 1898. He passed away in 1918.
