James Totten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Totten
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | September 11, 1818 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | October 1, 1871 (aged 53) Sedalia, Missouri |
| Place of burial |
Crown Hill Cemetery in Sedalia, Missouri
|
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1841–70 |
| Rank |  Major Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands held | Chief of Artillery, Union forces in Missouri |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | Joseph Totten (possible uncle) C. A. L. Totten (son) |
James Totten (September 11, 1818 – October 1, 1871) was an American soldier who served in the United States Army. He was an officer in the Union Army and a general in the Missouri militia during the American Civil War. He retired from the army in 1870. He might have been related to Joseph Gilbert Totten, a high-ranking engineer in the U.S. Army.
Early Life and Army Start
James Totten was born in 1818 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He studied at the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1841. He became a first lieutenant in 1847. He fought against Seminole Native Americans in Florida between 1849 and 1850. In 1855, he became a captain. He then went to Bleeding Kansas to help calm down conflicts there.
Serving in the Civil War
In February 1861, just before the American Civil War started, Totten was in charge of the Little Rock Arsenal. He only had 65 soldiers with him. He had to move his troops to St. Louis, Missouri. This happened because about 5,000 volunteers who supported secession surrounded the federal armory. These volunteers were led by Governor Henry Massey Rector.
Totten worked as the main artillery officer for generals Nathaniel Lyon and John C. Frémont in Missouri. Artillery means big guns like cannons. In September 1861, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
On February 12, 1862, Totten was promoted to brigadier general in the Missouri Militia. He led the 2nd Division in the Army of the Frontier in 1862. He was not with his division during the battle of Prairie Grove. So, Colonel Daniel Huston, Jr. led the division instead. In 1865, Totten commanded the artillery in the Military Division of West Mississippi. He took part in the battle of Fort Blakely.
After the war, many officers received "brevet" promotions. A brevet promotion is an honorary rank given for brave service. Totten was given a brevet rank of colonel in the regular army. This was for his "gallant and meritorious service" during the siege of Mobile, Alabama. This rank was effective from March 13, 1865. On July 17, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Totten for another brevet promotion. This time, it was to brevet brigadier general in the regular army. This was for his "gallant and meritorious service in the field during the war." The United States Senate approved this on July 23, 1866.
After the War
After the Civil War ended, Totten worked as an Inspector-General. He served in different military divisions. From August 15, 1865, to August 27, 1866, he was in the Military Division of the Atlantic. Then, from August 27, 1866, to July 10, 1869, he was in the Department of the East. After that, he was in the Military Division of the South until April 1870.
He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Inspector-General on June 13, 1867. Totten left the Army on July 22, 1870.
Totten passed away in Sedalia, Missouri, on October 2, 1871. He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Totten's Family
James Totten had two sons who also attended West Point. His oldest son was Charles A.L. Totten. Charles graduated from West Point in 1873. He served in the Army for 20 years before leaving. After leaving the Army, he wrote many books on interesting and unusual topics.
His younger son was John Reynolds Totten. John graduated from West Point in 1878. He became a first lieutenant in 1886. He resigned from the Army on April 1, 1891. After leaving the Army, he became very interested in family history and special societies.
See also
- List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union)
