Joseph Carter Abbott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Carter Abbott
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| United States Senator from North Carolina |
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| In office July 14, 1868 – March 4, 1871 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Bragg |
| Succeeded by | Matthew W. Ransom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 15, 1825 Concord, New Hampshire |
| Died | October 8, 1881 (aged 56) Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Joseph Carter Abbott (born July 15, 1825 – died October 8, 1881) was an important figure in American history. He served as a Union Army colonel during the American Civil War. Later, he became a U.S. Senator for North Carolina from 1868 to 1871. Besides his military and political roles, he was also a lawyer, a newspaper editor, and a businessman.
Early Life and Career
Joseph Carter Abbott was born in Concord, New Hampshire. He went to Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and also studied on his own. In 1852, he became a lawyer.
From 1852 to 1857, Abbott owned and edited a newspaper called the Daily American in Manchester, New Hampshire. His success there led him to become the editor of the Boston Atlas and Bee from 1859 to 1861.
He also worked for the state of New Hampshire as its adjutant general (a chief administrative officer for the military) from 1855 to 1861. During this time, he helped organize the state's military. He was also part of a group that helped set the boundary between New Hampshire and Canada. Abbott was interested in history and wrote for magazines.
Service in the Civil War
In December 1861, Joseph Abbott joined the 7th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment as a lieutenant colonel. He fought in several battles, including Port Royal Sound, St. John's Bluff, Fort Pulaski, and Fort Wagner.
By November 1863, he became a colonel and led his regiment in the Battle of Olustee. He also participated in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign in Virginia.
During the siege of Petersburg, he commanded a brigade (a large military unit). His troops fought in battles like Chaffin's Farm and along the Darbytown and New Market Roads. He later joined the Fort Fisher Expeditionary Corps. His unit helped capture Fort Fisher and Wilmington.
For his brave service at Fort Fisher, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Abbott for an honorary rank. On January 25, 1865, he was made a brevet brigadier general of volunteers. This means he was recognized for his bravery and leadership.
After the War
After the Civil War, Joseph Abbott stayed in North Carolina. He became involved in state politics. In 1868, he was a delegate (a representative) at the State constitutional convention. He worked to help organize and advise the African American community, which was a source of his political support.
That same year, he was elected to the United States Senate. He represented North Carolina in the Senate from July 14, 1868, to March 4, 1871. He was the first senator from North Carolina since the state left the Union in 1861.
As a senator, he worked on improving the harbor in Wilmington. He also hoped to connect the railroads in the Carolinas to a larger system. One of his notable achievements was helping to place a duty (a tax) on peanuts. He was not chosen to serve a second term in the Senate.
After leaving the Senate, Abbott worked in the lumber business. He also edited the Wilmington Post newspaper. He held federal jobs under Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and Ulysses S. Grant. These jobs included being the collector for the port of Wilmington and a special agent for the U.S. Treasury Department. He also helped establish the town of Abbottsburg, North Carolina.
Joseph Carter Abbott passed away on October 8, 1881. He was first buried in Wilmington, North Carolina, but later reinterred in Valley Cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Images for kids
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Rank insignia for a Union Army Colonel
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Rank insignia for a Union Army Brigadier General
