Robert Alexander Cameron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Alexander Cameron
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Robert Alexander Cameron
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| Born | February 22, 1828 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | March 15, 1894 (aged 66) Cañon City, Colorado |
| Place of burial |
Greenwood Cemetery, Cañon City, Colorado
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| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brevet Major General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Robert Alexander Cameron (born February 22, 1828 – died March 15, 1894) was an American soldier and a newspaper publisher. He became a Union general during the American Civil War. During the war, he was made a brigadier general. After the war, he was given the honorary rank of major general. He also played a big part in starting new farms and towns in Colorado.
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Early Life and His First Jobs
Robert Cameron was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1842, when he was about 14, he moved with his family to Valparaiso, Indiana. There, he went to local public schools.
He later studied medicine and graduated from Indiana Medical College in 1849. He also attended Rush Medical College in Chicago. However, he soon decided not to continue with medicine.
In 1857, Cameron bought a local newspaper called the Valparaiso Republican. He started publishing it himself. He was also chosen as a representative for the Republican party in 1860. He supported Abraham Lincoln in his campaign to become U.S. President.
Robert Cameron in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Robert Cameron was working as a doctor in Valparaiso. He was also a member of the Indiana House of Representatives. He joined the 9th Indiana regiment, which was a group that served for three months. On April 23, 1861, he was chosen as a Captain. With the 9th Indiana, Cameron fought in the Western Virginia Campaigns.
After his three months of service were over, Cameron decided to join the army again for the rest of the war. On July 29, he was made a lieutenant colonel of the 19th Indiana Infantry.
In September 1861, Cameron and his regiment fought near Chain Bridge. This bridge crosses the Potomac River and leads into Washington, D.C.. His commander, Colonel Solomon Meredith, was very impressed with Cameron's actions. He said Cameron "rode the lines giving orders and maintaining a calmness."
On February 3, 1862, Cameron was moved to the 34th Indiana regiment. He and the 34th fought in Missouri near New Madrid. They also took part in the Battle of Island Number Ten from February to April. Cameron also helped capture Memphis, Tennessee, on June 6. On June 15, he was promoted to Colonel and given command of the 34th regiment.
In 1863, Cameron and his regiment were part of the Vicksburg Campaign. He was slightly hurt in his eyes during the Battle of Port Gibson on May 1. On August 11, 1863, Cameron was promoted to brigadier general in the Union Army.
Later, he led a division of the XIII Corps during the 1864 Red River Campaign. During the Battle of Mansfield in Louisiana on April 8, Cameron's soldiers tried to help the Union line. But they were forced back when the line finally broke.
Cameron finished the war commanding a district in Thibodaux, Louisiana. On March 13, 1865, he was given the honorary rank of major general in the Union Army. He left the army soon after, on June 22.
After the War: Building New Communities
After the war, Robert Cameron helped start new communities. In 1870, he was important in founding Greeley. In 1871, he was chosen as the president of Greeley’s board of trustees.
He was then asked by William Jackson Palmer to lead a new settlement. This settlement later grew into the city of Colorado Springs. Cameron also helped try to establish Fort Collins.
Later, Cameron moved to San Francisco, California, for a few years. He then returned to Colorado and worked as a postal clerk in Denver. From 1885 to 1887, he was the warden of the Colorado State Penitentiary. Robert Cameron died on his farm near Cañon City, Colorado in the spring of 1894. He is buried there.
Legacy: Places Named After Him
Two places in Colorado are named after Robert Alexander Cameron.
- Camerons Cone is a mountain located in Pike National Forest. It is about 7 miles (11 km) from Colorado Springs.
- Cameron Pass is a gap in the Medicine Bow Mountains range. It was named in his honor in 1870.
Images for kids
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Robert Alexander Cameron
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Robert Alexander Cameron
