Jesse Gove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse Augustus Gove
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | December 5, 1824 Weare, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | June 27, 1862 (aged 37) Gaines' Mill, Hanover County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1848 1855–1862 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 22nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War Utah War American Civil War |
Jesse Augustus Gove (born December 5, 1824 – died June 27, 1862) was an American soldier and lawyer. He is remembered for his important military career. He was a colonel in the American Civil War.
After studying at Norwich University in Vermont, Gove fought in the Mexican–American War. Later, he left the army to become a lawyer in New Hampshire. He then rejoined the army in 1855. During the Civil War, he led the 22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as their colonel. He was killed while leading his soldiers in the Battle of Gaines' Mill.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
Jesse Gove was born in Weare, New Hampshire. He chose to become a soldier and studied at Norwich Military Academy. In 1847, he became a second lieutenant in the 9th United States Infantry.
He served in the Mexican–American War. During this war, he was promoted to first lieutenant.
Life as a Lawyer and Return to the Army
After the Mexican-American War ended, Gove's army unit was disbanded. He decided to study law in Concord, New Hampshire. He worked in the law office of Pierce & Minot. Franklin Pierce, who later became President of the United States, was a senior partner there.
Gove became a lawyer in 1851. From 1850 to 1855, he worked as the Deputy Secretary of State for New Hampshire. In 1855, he returned to the regular army. He was made a captain of Company I, 10th United States Infantry.
He served under Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston during the Utah War. This war involved Mormon settlers in Utah Territory and the U.S. government. It took place in 1857 and 1858. When the Civil War began, Gove's regiment was still in Utah. However, he returned to Washington in the summer of 1861. He wanted a more active role in the war.
Leading in the Civil War
On October 28, 1861, Colonel Gove took command of the 22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was the only regular army officer to lead this regiment. The 22nd Massachusetts had just arrived in Washington, D.C. from Boston.
Gove spent the next four months training his soldiers very strictly. They were in their winter camp at Halls Hill, Virginia. This camp was just outside Arlington.
A Respected Leader
First Lieutenant John Parker was the historian for the 22nd Regiment. He wrote about Colonel Gove's leadership. Parker said that Gove quickly became "the idol of the regiment." He was a skilled leader and a brave soldier.
His men felt that it was an honor to follow him. They never questioned his orders. Every soldier believed that Colonel Gove could not make a mistake. They also knew he always meant what he said.
Key Battles and Final Sacrifice
The 22nd Massachusetts became part of the Army of the Potomac. They left their winter camp on March 10, 1862. They joined Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's Peninsular Campaign. The unit first saw action during the Siege of Yorktown in April 1862.
When Confederate forces left Yorktown, Colonel Gove was the first Union officer to climb over their defenses. This was a brave act.
In June 1862, the Army of the Potomac was pushed back from Richmond. This happened during the Seven Days Battles. On June 27, 1862, the 22nd Massachusetts fought hard in the Battle of Gaines' Mill.
The regiment was held back as a reserve. Other regiments in their brigade were fighting in front of them. After stopping many Confederate attacks, the units in front of the 22nd finally had to retreat. As they left, the 22nd was quickly surrounded by advancing Confederates.
At first, Gove ordered his regiment to turn around and march backward. But he did not want to give up the ground. So, he quickly ordered them to stop, turn around again, and get ready for the Confederate attack. Almost immediately after stopping the regiment, Gove was shot and killed. The 22nd suffered their highest number of casualties in this battle. Colonel Gove's body was never found.
Remembering Colonel Gove
The 22nd Massachusetts greatly missed Colonel Gove. The following winter, the regiment named their winter camp "Camp Gove." They also started a debating club called the Gove Lyceum.
After the war, veterans of the 22nd Massachusetts chose to hold their yearly reunions on the date of Colonel Gove's death. This showed how much they respected and remembered him.
