Manning Ferguson Force facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manning Ferguson Force
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BGEN Manning Ferguson Force c1864
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| Born | December 17, 1824 Washington, D.C. |
| Died | May 8, 1899 (aged 74) Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Place of burial |
Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1866 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Unit |  20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Commands held | 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Manning Ferguson Force (born December 17, 1824 – died May 8, 1899) was an important person from Ohio. He was a lawyer and a judge. He also served as a brave soldier.
Force is best known for leading the 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This group was part of the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was even awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage in battle.
Early Life and Education
Manning F. Force was born in Washington, D.C.. His father, Peter Force, was the mayor of the city. Manning decided not to go to West Point, a famous military school.
Instead, he went to Harvard College. He finished there in 1845. Then, he studied law at Harvard Law School. He graduated in 1848. The next year, Force moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. There, he started his career as a lawyer.
Service in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Force joined the Union Army. He became a major in the 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He fought in the western part of the war. His unit was part of General James B. McPherson's 17th Corps.
Key Battles and Leadership
Colonel Force's 20th Ohio unit faced tough fighting at the Battle of Raymond. This battle happened in Mississippi during the Vicksburg Campaign. His soldiers showed great bravery. Many were hurt, but they kept fighting.
After the Siege of Vicksburg, Force's unit marched to northern Georgia. He fought in the Atlanta Campaign. During the Battle of Atlanta, he was badly wounded in the face. This injury changed his appearance forever.
For his bravery in the Atlanta Campaign, Force was promoted. He became a major general of volunteers in March 1865. After the Battle of Atlanta, he joined Sherman's March to the Sea. This was a famous march across Georgia.
Force started the war as a major. He ended it as a brevetted major general. This means he received a higher rank for his brave service. One of his soldiers, Osborn Oldroyd, wrote about Force's leadership. He said the soldiers loved their colonel. They felt he treated them well.
Force himself wrote about his soldiers. He noted how they learned to work together. He believed discipline was important for an army. It helped them stay safe and strong.
After the War
After the war ended, Force went back to Cincinnati. He became a judge on the Superior Court of Cincinnati. He also wrote several books about law. He was a well-known writer and speaker.
In 1892, he received the Medal of Honor. This is the highest award for military bravery.
Manning Force is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati. His important papers are kept at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center.
