Orlando B. Willcox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orlando Bolivar Willcox
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Orlando B. Willcox
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| Born | April 16, 1823 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | May 11, 1907 (aged 84) Cobourg, Ontario |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1857 1861–1887 |
| Rank |  Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Months) IX Corps Department of the Missouri |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
Third Seminole War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Orlando Bolivar Willcox (born April 16, 1823 – died May 11, 1907) was an important American soldier. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He had a long and brave career in the military, fighting in several wars and earning the Medal of Honor.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
Willcox was born in Detroit, Michigan. He went to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, starting in 1843. After graduating in 1847, he became a Second Lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery.
He served in the United States Army for many years. Willcox fought in the Mexican–American War and later against Native American tribes on the frontier. He also took part in the Third Seminole War. In 1857, he left the Army.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Willcox was working as a lawyer in Detroit. He quickly rejoined the military. He was made a colonel of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
During the First Battle of Bull Run, he was in charge of a group of soldiers called a brigade. He was wounded and captured by the enemy in this battle. More than a year later, he was released. In 1895, he received the Medal of Honor for his extreme bravery during the battle.
After his release, President Abraham Lincoln made Willcox a brigadier general. He led the 1st Division of Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's IX Corps in 1862. He commanded this division in major battles like the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg.
In 1863, during the draft riots, Willcox was in charge of military districts in Indiana and Michigan. He also led a division during the Knoxville Campaign and Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign.
In December 1864, President Lincoln promoted Willcox to the rank of major general. After the long Siege of Petersburg, he led the first Union troops into Petersburg, Virginia. He finished the war serving in North Carolina. He left the volunteer army in January 1866.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Willcox went back to Detroit to be a lawyer again. However, when the U.S. Regular Army grew in 1866, he rejoined. He became a colonel of the 29th U.S. Infantry Regiment.
He continued to serve in the Army, moving to the 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1869. He spent time in San Francisco. In 1878, he became the Commander of the Department of Arizona. Here, he helped stop raids by Apache Indians. The Arizona Legislature thanked him for his service in the West.
Willcox was promoted to brigadier general in the regular army in 1886. From 1886 to 1887, he was in charge of the Department of the Missouri. He retired from the Army on April 16, 1887. After retiring, he served as the governor of the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. for a few years.
General Willcox was a member of several military groups, including the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
In 1905, Willcox moved to Canada. He passed away in Cobourg, Ontario, at 84 years old. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Honors and Legacy
The town of Willcox, Arizona was named in his honor. This shows how much his service in the West was appreciated.
