Reuben F. Bernard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Reuben F. Bernard
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|---|---|
| Born |
Reuben Frank Bernard
1834 |
| Died | November 17, 1903 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Brigadier General |
Reuben Frank Bernard (born 1834, died 1903) was an important American military leader. He became a Brigadier General, which is a high rank in the army. He is known for his service in the American Civil War and later for fighting in the American Indian Wars in the western United States.
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Early Life and Family
Reuben Bernard was born in 1834 in a rural area of Hawkins County, Tennessee. His parents were John Bernard Sr. and Mary Morelock Bernard. Reuben was the oldest boy in a very large family. He had 13 younger brothers and sisters, though two of them passed away when they were babies. His older sister, Annie, was three years older than him.
Tragically, three of Reuben's brothers died while fighting in the American Civil War. When he was about 22 years old, Reuben decided to leave his family farm. He moved to Knoxville, Tennessee and started learning to be a blacksmith.
Military Career
In 1855, Reuben Bernard joined the very first official cavalry unit in the United States Army. Cavalry units are soldiers who fight on horseback. He later fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. This was a major war in American history.
Fighting in the West
After the Civil War, Bernard was involved in several important events in the American West. In 1861, his group arrested Cochise, a leader of the Apache people. Cochise was accused of kidnapping children.
Bernard later had a disagreement with another officer. He was questioned about it but was cleared of any wrongdoing. He served in New Mexico and then in the eastern parts of the country.
In 1869, Bernard moved back to the western United States. He led eight different trips against the Apache people. During one of these trips, called the Battle of Chiricahua Pass, his forces fought against Apache warriors.
Battles in the Pacific Northwest
In 1872, Reuben Bernard was moved to the Pacific Northwest. Here, he fought in the American Indian Wars against the Modoc tribe.
He tried to capture the Modoc leader Kintpuash (also known as Captain Jack) at a place called the First Battle of the Stronghold. However, Bernard's forces had to retreat during this battle.
