John G. Mitchell (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Grant Mitchell
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Brig. Gen. John G. Mitchell
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| Born | November 6, 1838 Piqua, Ohio |
| Died | November 7, 1894 (aged 56) Columbus, Ohio |
| Place of burial |
Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Unit | 3rd Ohio Infantry |
| Commands held | 113th Ohio Infantry 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XIV Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Relations | nephew-in-law of Rutherford B. Hayes, father of Grant Mitchell |
| Other work | lawyer, city council president |
John Grant Mitchell (born November 6, 1838 – died November 7, 1894) was an Ohio lawyer. He also became a high-ranking officer, called a general, in the Union Army. This was during the American Civil War. He took part in many important battles and campaigns. These included the Chickamauga, Atlanta, and Franklin-Nashville campaigns. He also fought in the Carolinas campaign. Mitchell led a group of experienced foot soldiers, known as an infantry brigade, in many of these operations.
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Early Life and Education
John Grant Mitchell was born in Piqua, Ohio. He went to local schools as a child. Later, he attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He finished college in 1859. After that, he studied law in Columbus, Ohio. He learned from a law firm called Swan, Andrews, and Noble.
Serving in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Mitchell joined the army. He started as a private in the Ohio Reserves. On July 27, he became a first lieutenant. He was also an adjutant for the 3rd Ohio Infantry regiment. An adjutant helps the commander with paperwork and orders.
On December 21, he joined the army for three more years. He was promoted to captain and led his own company of soldiers. He fought in a campaign led by Ormsby M. Mitchel. This campaign took place in Tennessee and Alabama.
In the fall of 1862, Mitchell helped create a new regiment. This became the 113th Ohio Infantry. On September 2, he was made a lieutenant colonel for this new group. He kept moving up in rank. On May 6, 1863, he became a colonel. He led his regiment during the Tullahoma Campaign.
In September of that year, Mitchell took command of a brigade. This was part of the Reserve Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. The next month, his group joined the XIV Corps. He stayed with this corps for most of the rest of the war.
Key Battles and Commands
During the Battle of Chickamauga, Mitchell led a brigade. His group arrived late on the second day of fighting. They helped George H. Thomas hold his position on Horsehoe Ridge. This helped delay the enemy.
At the Battle of Missionary Ridge near Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mitchell supported William T. Sherman. Sherman's troops were attacking the enemy. Later, Mitchell moved to help Ambrose Burnside during the Siege of Knoxville.
In 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign, Mitchell led the attack on enemy positions. This happened at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge. His regiment suffered many losses at the Battle of Resaca. They also played a big part in the battles of Dallas and New Hope Church. His old 113th regiment lost over one hundred men attacking Kennesaw Mountain.
Mitchell later reported to General Thomas. He took command of the XIV Corps during the Battle of Nashville. After this battle, he helped chase the Confederate army led by John Bell Hood.
On January 12, 1865, Mitchell was promoted. He became a brigadier general of volunteers. He was only 26 years old. This made him one of the youngest civilian soldiers to reach this rank. He had no special military training before the war.
He fought in one of the last major campaigns of the war. This was the Carolinas Campaign in early 1865. He led his brigade at the battles of Averasborough and Bentonville. His actions stopped a major Confederate attack there. He was present when Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered in April. This happened at Bennett Place.
Mitchell then led his soldiers in the Grand Review of the Armies. This was a big parade through Washington, D.C. in early May. After the war, Mitchell received an honorary promotion. This was called a brevet promotion. He became a major general of volunteers. This rank was dated back to March 13.
Life After the War
Mitchell left the army on July 3, 1865. He went back home to Columbus, Ohio. There, he continued his work as a lawyer. In October 1862, he married Laura Platt. She was the daughter of Fanny Hayes Platt. Laura was also the niece of Rutherford B. Hayes. Hayes was another Civil War general. He later became the governor of Ohio and a U.S. President.
John and Laura had four children. They had three girls and one boy. Mitchell and Hayes stayed good friends for the rest of their lives. Mitchell also held several public jobs. He was the Register in Bankruptcy. He was also the President of the Columbus City Council. And he served as the Ohio pension commissioner.
John G. Mitchell passed away in Columbus. He died the day after his 56th birthday. After a large funeral, he was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery. His personal and military papers are kept at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center library.
His only son, Grant Mitchell, became a famous actor. He appeared in many movies in Hollywood, California in the early 1900s.
