John Mendenhall (colonel) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Ross Mendenhall
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| Born | July 29, 1829 Vevay, Indiana |
| Died | July 1, 1892 (aged 62) Newport, Rhode Island |
| Buried |
West Point Cemetery
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1851 - 1892 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | Department of Alaska 2nd Artillery Regiment |
John Ross Mendenhall (born July 29, 1829 – died July 1, 1892) was an important officer in the United States Army. During the American Civil War, he was an artillery officer for the Union Army. He was especially known for his actions at the Battle of Stones River. There, he used many cannons together to stop a big attack by the Confederate army.
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Early Life and Military Training
John Ross Mendenhall was born in Vevay, Indiana. He began his military training at the West Point Military Academy on July 1, 1847. He worked hard and graduated on July 1, 1851.
First Assignments
After graduating, Mendenhall started as a second lieutenant. He first served at a barracks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 1852, he joined the 4th Artillery. He served at Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania, for about a year.
Frontier Duty
Mendenhall then moved to the frontier. He was stationed at Ringgold Barracks in Texas. He was promoted to second lieutenant in October 1853. He also served at Fort Hamilton, New York. Later, he was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1855. He even took part in two small fights that year.
He also spent time at Fort Laramie in what was then Dakota Territory. In 1856, he became a first lieutenant. He served in Florida during fights with the Seminole people. He returned to Fort Leavenworth during the "Bleeding Kansas" troubles. Before the Civil War started, he was training at Fort Monroe, Virginia. In July 1861, he was promoted to Captain. Mendenhall married Sophia Elizabeth Mix in November 1858.
Serving in the Civil War
When the Civil War began, Captain Mendenhall helped train new artillery soldiers. His first big battle was the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. He commanded cannons that helped support Union attacks. Many senior officers praised his excellent work. Because of his actions at Shiloh, he was promoted to the rank of major. He also took part in the Siege of Corinth, a military operation to capture a key city.
Key Battles and Artillery Skill
At the Battle of Stones River, Captain Mendenhall showed great skill. He was in charge of artillery for a large part of the Union army. He quickly gathered 45 cannons, plus more in a special position. These cannons fired together and stopped a major Confederate attack. This saved the Union army's left side. For this important action, Mendenhall was promoted to major.
He also helped at the Battle of Chickamauga. There, he quickly put together another group of cannons. This helped to resist a Confederate breakthrough. He earned another promotion, to lieutenant colonel, for his bravery at Chickamauga. Later in the war, Major Mendenhall became an inspector of artillery. He was in charge of the Artillery Reserve until the war ended.
After the War
After the Civil War, John Ross Mendenhall continued his military career. He served in many different states, including Michigan, California, and New York. He even served as the commander of the Department of Alaska from 1876 to 1877.
He passed away on July 1, 1892, in Newport, Rhode Island. At the time, he was a colonel and was commanding Fort Adams. Colonel Mendenhall was buried at West Point. He left behind his wife and three sons.
