Joseph Cushing Edmands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Cushing Edmands
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|---|---|
| Born | March 26, 1842 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | December 28, 1878 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Buried |
Mount Auburn Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  Union |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 – 1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | 24th Massachusetts Infantry |
| Commands held | 32nd Massachusetts Infantry 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Joseph Cushing Edmands (born March 26, 1842 – died December 28, 1878) was an American soldier. He volunteered to fight for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He rose through the ranks to become a colonel. Later, in 1866, he was given the special honorary rank of brevet brigadier general.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
Joseph Cushing Edmands was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, J. Wiley Edmands, was a U.S. Congressman for a short time in the 1850s. Before the Civil War began, Joseph was a private soldier and a clerk in the 4th Battalion Massachusetts Militia. When the war started, he was living in Newton, Massachusetts.
Serving in the Civil War
Joining the Fight
On October 4, 1861, when he was just 19 years old, Joseph Edmands joined the 24th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He started as a first sergeant. This rank is usually given to a very experienced non-commissioned officer.
Early Battles and Illness
In December 1861, his regiment arrived in Annapolis, Maryland. They were soon sent to join General Ambrose Burnside's expedition to North Carolina. Edmands might have fought in the first two battles of this expedition. These were the Battle of Roanoke Island and the Battle of New Bern in early 1862.
However, he became very sick during the spring of 1862. Because of his illness, he was sent home in the summer of 1862. This was called an "invalid furlough." After he got better, he started gathering new volunteers in Boston.
Leading a New Company
The group of volunteers he recruited became Company K of the 32nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This happened in September 1862. On December 29, 1862, Edmands was promoted to major. A major is a higher officer rank, usually leading a large group of soldiers.
Capture and Release
On December 16, 1863, Edmands was captured by Confederate soldiers near Bealeton, Virginia. The Confederates were the enemy army during the Civil War. He was taken to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. This was a famous prison for Union officers. He stayed there for three months. On March 7, 1864, he was "paroled," which means he was released under an agreement not to fight again until he was officially exchanged for a Confederate prisoner.
Becoming a Colonel
Edmands rejoined the 32nd Massachusetts in May 1864. In June, he was given command of the entire regiment. Because of this, he was promoted to colonel on June 30, 1864. A colonel is a very senior officer who leads a regiment, which is a large military unit.
End of Service and Honorary Rank
Joseph Edmands left the army on July 1, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated him for a special honorary award. This award was the rank of brevet brigadier general of volunteers. "Brevet" means it was an honorary rank, given for brave service, but it didn't come with the pay or command of a full brigadier general. The U.S. Senate confirmed this award on March 12, 1866.
