James Hobart Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Hobart Ford
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|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Jim" |
| Born | May 22, 1829 Painesville, Ohio |
| Died | January 12, 1867 (aged 37) Akron, Ohio |
| Place of burial |
Glendale Cemetery, Akron, Ohio
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel brevet brigadier general |
| Commands held | Ford's Independent Company 2nd Colorado Volunteer Cavalry District of the Upper Arkansas |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
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James Hobart Ford (born May 22, 1829 – died January 12, 1867) was a brave military leader during the American Civil War. He served as a Union army colonel and later became a brevet brigadier general. He is especially known for his important actions in the western part of the war, called the Trans-Mississippi Theater.
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Early Life and Family
James Hobart Ford was born in Painesville, Ohio, in 1829. His uncle was David Tod, who later became the governor of Ohio during the Civil War. Not much is known about Ford's early years. However, before 1861, he moved from Ohio to Colorado. In May 1850, he married Arabella Stambaugh. They had four children together: David, James, John, and Sara.
Joining the Civil War
Ford joined the Civil War when Confederate soldiers invaded New Mexico. Colonel Edward Canby asked for help from nearby Colorado. The people of Colorado quickly responded. Ford took charge of a group of soldiers from Cañon City. On December 21, 1861, he was made a captain. His group was known as "Ford's Independent Company." It was also officially called Company "A" of the 2nd Colorado Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
March to Fort Union
As Captain Ford led his company toward Fort Union, more soldiers joined him. These soldiers came from the 1st and 4th New Mexico Volunteer Regiments. When they arrived at Fort Union, Ford's company was moved to Company "G" of the 4th New Mexico Volunteer Regiment. However, Ford and his men likely still acted as their own independent group.
Fighting in New Mexico
Another leader from Colorado, Colonel John P. Slough, arrived at Fort Union. He took command of the Union forces there. Slough planned to attack the Confederate army that was coming. He put Ford and his company in a special group led by Major John M. Chivington. In the big fight known as the Battle of Glorieta Pass, Ford helped capture the Confederate supply train near Johnson's Ranch. This was a very important victory for the Union.
Battles in Kansas and Missouri
On November 1, 1862, Ford was promoted to major in the 2nd Colorado Infantry. Later, in October 1862, the 2nd and 3rd Colorado Infantry Regiments combined. They formed the 2nd Colorado Cavalry. On November 5, 1863, Ford was made a colonel. For much of the war, Colonel Ford was stationed in Missouri. He worked to stop groups of fighters called bushwhackers along the Kansas-Missouri border.
Stopping Price's Raid
In October 1864, Confederate General Sterling Price led a large attack into Missouri. General Samuel R. Curtis, who was in charge of the Department of Kansas, gathered Union forces to stop Price. Colonel Ford was given command of the 4th Brigade. This brigade was part of General James G. Blunt's 1st Division in Curtis's new Army of the Border.
Ford led his brigade into battle at the Battle of Little Blue River. Then, his brigade held the left side of the Union Army at the Battle of Westport. They were heavily involved in the fighting along Brush Creek. General Blunt used Ford's brigade and Colonel Charles R. Jennison's brigade to lead the main Union attack. After the Confederates lost at Westport, Ford helped chase them. He fought in the battles of Mine Creek and Newtonia.
A General's Rank and Later Life
On December 12, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Ford for a special promotion. He was to become a brevet brigadier general of volunteers. This rank was effective from December 10, 1864. The United States Senate confirmed this promotion on February 14, 1865. For the rest of the war, he commanded the District of the Upper Arkansas. There, he led operations against Native Americans from Fort Larned.
Ford left the Union army on July 19, 1865. Soon after the war ended, he went back to Ohio. He died on January 12, 1867, in Akron, Ohio.
Ford County, Kansas was named in his honor.
