James Lowry Donaldson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Lowry Donaldson
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| Born | March 17, 1814 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | November 4, 1885 (aged 71) Baltimore, Maryland |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1836–1874 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | Second Seminole War Mexican–American War |
| Other work | author |
James Lowry Donaldson (born March 17, 1814 – died November 4, 1885) was an important American soldier and writer. He became a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. People knew him for being very good at managing supplies and moving them for the army.
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Early Life and Military Training
James Lowry Donaldson was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His family was well-known in the city. His father was a lawyer and also served in the government.
In 1832, James was accepted into the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point. He graduated in 1836. After graduating, he was made a second lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Artillery. His first job was to serve at military bases in the western parts of the country. This is where he first showed how skilled he was at handling supplies and managing army logistics. Logistics means making sure soldiers have everything they need, like food, weapons, and equipment, and that it gets to them on time.
Serving in Early Wars
Donaldson later became a first lieutenant. He served bravely in the Second Seminole War in Florida. This was a conflict between the United States and the Seminole people.
After that, he fought in the Mexican–American War with the 1st U.S. Artillery. He was recognized for his courage at the Battle of Buena Vista. Because of his bravery, he was promoted to Major (United States).
After these wars, he worked at different military outposts on the frontier. From 1859 to 1860, he was the quartermaster at a military camp in Kansas. A quartermaster is an officer in charge of providing food, lodging, and supplies for troops. He even led a group of wagons carrying supplies through areas where Native American tribes were sometimes hostile, all the way to New Mexico Territory.
Role in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Donaldson was the Chief Quartermaster for the Department of New Mexico. He worked at Fort Union until late 1862. Then, he was moved to the same job in Baltimore.
In November 1863, he was sent to the Western Theater of the war. This was the area where many important battles took place, including those in Tennessee and Georgia. He worked under Montgomery C. Meigs, who was also his classmate from West Point.
Managing Supplies for the Union Army
Colonel Donaldson became the Chief Quartermaster for the Department of the Cumberland. He held this important role from November 1863 to June 1865. His job was to make sure that the huge armies fighting in the West had all the supplies they needed. This was a massive and difficult task.
On January 23, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Donaldson to be a brevet brigadier general. This was an honorary rank given for good service. The United States Senate confirmed this appointment in February 1865.
Donaldson even organized his quartermaster staff into a fighting unit. They helped in the Battle of Nashville. He was very efficient at managing the large supply bases for the armies of generals like Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and George H. Thomas. These famous generals praised his work in their official reports.
After the War
After the Civil War ended, Donaldson continued to serve as Chief Quartermaster. He worked for the Military Division of Tennessee from June 1865 until March 1869.
In December 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Donaldson for another honorary promotion. This time, it was to brevet major general. The Senate confirmed this in March 1867.
Later Life and Legacy
Donaldson retired from active military service in 1869. He officially left the army on January 1, 1874. After his military career, he became an author. He wrote a book called Sergeant Atkins: a tale of the Florida War, which was published in 1871.
James Lowry Donaldson passed away in Baltimore, Maryland on November 4, 1885. He was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A beautiful stained glass window in the Grace and St. Peters Church in Baltimore remembers James Lowry Donaldson. It is called "The Roman Centurion."
