Joseph J. Reynolds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Jones Reynolds
|
|
|---|---|
J. J. Reynolds
|
|
| Born | January 4, 1822 Flemingsburg, Kentucky |
| Died | February 25, 1899 (aged 77) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1843–1857, 1861–1877 |
| Rank |  Major General (USV) |
| Commands held | XIX Corps VII Corps Army of Arkansas |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Indian Wars |
Joseph Jones Reynolds (born January 4, 1822 – died February 25, 1899) was an American engineer, teacher, and military officer. He served in the American Civil War and later in conflicts against Native American tribes.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph Reynolds was born in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. He went to Wabash College for a short time. In 1839, he was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated in 1843, ranking tenth in his class.
After West Point, Reynolds became a second lieutenant. He served at Fort Monroe in Virginia and Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. In 1845, he joined Zachary Taylor's army in Texas. The next year, he returned to West Point as an assistant professor. He married Mary Elizabeth Bainbridge in December 1846.
In 1857, he left West Point and served in the Indian Territory. Later, he left the army. He taught engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. In 1860, he moved to Indiana. There, he owned a grocery business with his brother.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Reynolds received a special rank from Indiana's Governor, Oliver P. Morton. He was put in charge of Camp Morton in Indianapolis. This was a training camp for Indiana's soldiers.
Reynolds's 10th Indiana Volunteer regiment was sent to western Virginia. They helped stop Confederate soldiers led by Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Cheat Mountain. Reynolds was promoted to brigadier general. He left the army for a short time in 1862. He continued training soldiers at Camp Morton.
Later, he became a colonel of the 75th Indiana volunteers. He was then promoted to major general. Reynolds led a division of the XIV Corps. This group was part of the Army of the Cumberland. He fought in the Battle of Hoover's Gap and the Battle of Chickamauga.
After serving as a chief of staff, Reynolds moved to the Gulf of Mexico. He led a division of the XIX Corps in New Orleans, Louisiana. He later took command of the XIX Corps. Then, he commanded the VII Corps in Arkansas. His brother-in-law was Brigadier General Jules C. Webber.
After the Civil War
After the Civil War ended, Reynolds stayed in the regular army. He became a colonel of the 27th U.S. Infantry Regiment. He was then put in charge of the Department of Arkansas. Later, he moved to Texas during the time known as Reconstruction. He replaced Charles Griffin in charge of the Department of Texas.
When military rule in Texas ended in 1870, Reynolds returned to frontier duty. He was made the Colonel of the 3rd United States Cavalry Regiment.
Battle of Powder River
Reynolds took part in the Great Sioux War of 1876. On March 1, 1876, he led the Big Horn Expedition from Fort Fetterman, Wyoming. They were looking for Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne people.
On March 17, 1876, Reynolds and about 379 soldiers attacked a Northern Cheyenne and Oglala Lakota Sioux village. This happened on the Powder River in Montana. After about five hours of fighting, Reynolds's soldiers had four men killed and six wounded. Many also suffered from frostbite. The Native American leaders in the village included Two Moons, He Dog, Little Wolf, and Wooden Leg.
Reynolds's winter campaign did not go as planned. After this battle, he faced serious consequences for his actions. He was suspended from his rank and pay for a year. Joseph Reynolds left the United States Army on June 25, 1877.
Later Life and Death
Joseph Jones Reynolds passed away on February 25, 1899. He was 77 years old. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C..
