John Love (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Love
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| Born | January 9, 1820 Culpeper County, Virginia |
| Died | January 29, 1881 (aged 61) Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Indiana Legion aka Indiana Militia Union Army Indiana Legion aka Indiana Militia |
| Years of service | 1841–1853 1858–1861 1861 1861–1863 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant, Brevet Captain Captain, Indiana Legion aka Indiana Militia Major Major General, Indiana Legion aka Indiana Militia |
| Commands held | Indiana Legion aka Indiana Militia |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
John Love (born January 9, 1820 – died January 29, 1881) was an important figure in American history. He was an officer in the United States Army during and after the Mexican–American War. He also served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Love became a major general in the Indiana Legion, which was also known as the Indiana militia or home guard.
During the Civil War, he led Indiana militia forces. In July 1863, he helped stop Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan's raiders in Indiana. Love's quick actions helped protect the town of Vernon, Indiana. After his military service, he worked in real estate and represented the Gatling Gun Company. In 1880, he was chosen by Congress to help manage the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
Contents
Early Life and Military Training
John Love was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, on January 9, 1820. His parents were Richard H. Love and Eliza Matilda (Lee) Love. He was a distant cousin of the famous general, Robert E. Lee.
Love started his military training at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He began his studies there on September 1, 1837. After graduating on July 1, 1841, he became a brevet second lieutenant in the First Regiment of Dragoons. This unit is now known as the 1st Cavalry Regiment.
Early Frontier Duties
After his training, Love had several assignments on the American frontier. From 1841 to 1842, he was at the Cavalry School for Practice in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He then served at various forts in the Indian Territory and Kansas. These included Fort Gibson in 1842 and Fort Scott from 1842 to 1843.
He also served at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from 1843 to 1844. In 1844–1845, he was in Pawnee country, which is now part of Nebraska. In 1845, he joined an expedition led by Stephen W. Kearny to South Pass in Wyoming. He was promoted to first lieutenant on June 30, 1846.
Serving in the Mexican-American War
John Love played a role in the Mexican–American War. His commanding officer, Stephen W. Kearny, became a brigadier general in 1846. Kearny led the Army of the West (1846) during the war. After taking control of New Mexico, Kearny moved part of his army to California. He left some troops, including three companies of the 1st Regiment of Dragoons, in New Mexico. These troops were under the command of Colonel Sterling Price.
Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales
Near the end of the war, Colonel Price was promoted to brigadier general. He led 300 men from his Army of the West in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales. This battle took place on March 16, 1848. Price's forces defeated a Mexican army that was three times larger than his own.
This battle was one of the last fights of the war. It happened just days after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was approved by the United States Congress. First Lieutenant John Love was in charge of the artillery battalion during this battle. For his bravery, Love was promoted to brevet captain after the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales.
Life After the War
On October 10, 1849, John Love married Mary F. Smith. Mary was the daughter of Oliver H. Smith, a lawyer and politician from Indiana. Her father had served in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.
Military and Civilian Roles
From March 1849 to December 1850, Love worked as a quartermaster for the 1st Regiment of Dragoons. He continued his frontier duties at Fort Leavenworth in 1849. He also served at Jefferson Barracks Military Post in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1849 to 1851.
Love decided to leave the Army on February 1, 1853. After resigning, he and his wife moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. In Indianapolis, Love became involved in the community. He was a vestryman at Christ Church (Episcopal) starting in 1853. Besides his real estate business, he also owned a large farm. From 1854 to 1858, Love worked as a railroad contractor. He also served as a captain in the Indiana Legion (Indiana militia) from 1858 to 1861.
Service in the American Civil War
When the American Civil War began, John Love rejoined the military. He served as a major and chief of staff for Brigadier General Thomas A. Morris. They were part of the Indiana volunteers in the Western Virginia campaign. Love was with Morris during early battles in July 1861.
He was present at Laurel Hill, where Confederate forces withdrew. He also fought at the Battle of Corrick's Ford. In this battle, Union forces defeated the Confederates and killed their general, Robert S. Garnett. Love left the Union Army on August 1, 1861.
Leading the Indiana Militia
After leaving the Union Army, Love commanded a training camp for Indiana volunteers in Indianapolis. He served there from August 1 to September 10, 1861. He was promoted to major general in the Indiana Legion on September 27, 1862. This group was Indiana's home guard or state defense force.
Love commanded a military division defending Cincinnati, Ohio, starting in September 1862. He resigned from this role on January 1, 1863. Indiana's Republican Governor, Oliver P. Morton, asked Love to help his administration. Love, who was a War Democrat, agreed to assist.
Stopping Morgan's Raiders
In July 1863, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan led a raid into Indiana and Ohio. Governor Morton called Love back into service with the Indiana Legion. He also called out the militia to defend against Morgan's raiders. Union Army Major General Orlando B. Willcox was in charge of the District of Indiana and Michigan.
Willcox ordered Love to secure important railroad junctions in Indiana. Love was sent to Seymour with a brigade of militia. He was also told to keep an eye on the town of Vernon. On July 11, 1863, Morgan's men approached Vernon, Indiana. A small group of Indiana militia and U.S. volunteer troops were defending Vernon.
Love quickly sent reinforcements to Vernon, including artillery and two militia regiments. He soon followed with the rest of his militia force. This brought the number of Union defenders in Vernon to over 1,000. When Morgan's main force arrived, he demanded that the Union troops surrender. Love refused and demanded Morgan surrender instead. Realizing he was outnumbered, Morgan decided to withdraw. This delay cost Morgan valuable time, and Love's infantry captured some of his men as they left.
Later Life and Legacy
Starting in 1863, John Love worked as a real estate broker in Indianapolis. He also became involved with the Gatling Gun Company. This company made the Gatling gun, an early type of machine gun. Love bought stock in the company and helped sell the gun to different countries, including the United States, China, Japan, Turkey, and countries across Europe. He continued to represent the company even after selling his stock in 1873.
In 1880, Congress appointed Love to be a manager of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. This organization helped care for soldiers who were injured during their service.
Love was also a Mason and led the Ancient Landmarks lodge in Indianapolis for several years. He was also a founding member of the Scottish Rite. At the time of his death, he was a member of the State House Commission.
John Love passed away from heart disease on January 29, 1881, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is buried at Crown Hill National Cemetery.
