Nathan Goff Jr. (general) facts for kids
Nathan Goff, Jr. was a brave Union Army officer from Rhode Island who fought during the American Civil War. He was known for his leadership and courage in many important battles.
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Who Was Nathan Goff, Jr.?
Nathan Goff, Jr. was born in Warren, Rhode Island, on August 5, 1827. His parents were Nathan and Nancy Goff. When he was six years old, his family moved to Bristol, Rhode Island. There, he went to school and learned many things.
When he was 17, Nathan started learning the sail-making business. This was a job where people made sails for ships. After two years, he and a partner took over the business. Later, in 1850, he worked as an engraver, making jewelry.
Nathan Goff, Jr. in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Nathan Goff, Jr. was already a brigadier-general in the Rhode Island Militia. This meant he was a high-ranking leader in the state's volunteer army. After the attack on Fort Sumter, which started the war, he quickly offered to help Governor William Sprague of Rhode Island. He wanted to do anything he could to help keep the United States together.
Nathan Goff, Jr. then put together a group of volunteers from Bristol and Warren. This group was called the Bristol County Company. He became the captain of this company. It was later known as Company G of the Second Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. He officially joined the U.S. Army on June 6, 1861, for three years.
Key Battles and Promotions
Nathan Goff, Jr. and his regiment fought in many important battles:
- He was at the first Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. This was one of the first major battles of the war.
- His regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, which was a very important Union army. They fought in many battles with this army.
- On July 24, 1862, he was promoted to major. This meant he was the third-in-command of his regiment.
- On December 12, 1862, he was promoted again to lieutenant-colonel, making him second-in-command.
In December 1863, Nathan Goff, Jr. passed a special test to become a lieutenant-colonel. He was then assigned to lead the 22nd United States Colored Infantry. This was a regiment made up of African American soldiers. He was sent to Yorktown, Virginia, and his new regiment became part of the Army of the James.
Wounds and More Commands
In February 1864, the people of Warren gave him a special sword and other military gear to honor him. During the Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on June 15, 1864, he was badly wounded. He had to go to a hospital to recover.
Even after being wounded, he continued to serve. In October 1864, he was promoted to colonel. He was then put in charge of the 37th United States Colored Infantry. He took command on November 10, 1864.
He joined important missions, including:
- An expedition led by Major General Benjamin F. Butler against Fort Fisher in North Carolina.
- A second expedition under Major General Alfred H. Terry, where they successfully captured Fort Fisher.
He continued fighting in North Carolina until General Joseph Johnston's army surrendered to General William T. Sherman in Raleigh, North Carolina, in April 1865. This helped bring the war to an end.
End of Service
In May 1865, after the war ended, Goff was put in charge of the military post in Wilmington, North Carolina. He stayed on duty there, overseeing forts along the coasts of North and South Carolina.
In June 1865, he was promoted by the President to be a brigadier-general of volunteers. This was a special honor given for his "long and faithful services and gallant conduct in the field." He was one of the last volunteer officers to leave the army, finally being honorably discharged on June 13, 1867.
Life After the War
After the war, Nathan Goff, Jr. went back to Rhode Island. He returned to his old job in Providence. He also joined a group called the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, which was for Union officers who fought in the war.
His community respected him greatly for his skills and public service. On August 10, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him as a deputy collector of customs for the port of Providence. This meant he helped collect taxes on goods coming into the port. He held this important job for over 20 years.
Nathan Goff, Jr. was a Whig and later a Republican in politics. He was also a Baptist in his religious beliefs.
He passed away in Warren on April 17, 1903. He is buried in the South Burial Ground in Warren with his two wives.
Family Life
General Goff married his first wife, Sarah S. Surgens, in November 1849. They had three children: Ella S., Walter I., and Mabel D. Sarah passed away in 1888. Later, he married Helen M. Surgens, who survived him and passed away in 1912.
