Robert Byington Mitchell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Byington Mitchell
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| 7th Governor of New Mexico Territory | |
| In office 1866–1869 |
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| Preceded by | Henry Connelly |
| Succeeded by | William A. Pile |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 4, 1823 Mansfield, Ohio |
| Died | January 26, 1882 (aged 58) Washington, D.C. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician |
Robert Byington Mitchell (April 4, 1823 – January 26, 1882) was an important figure in American history. He was a high-ranking officer, a brigadier general, in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he served as the Governor of the New Mexico Territory from 1866 to 1869.
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Early Life and Career
Robert Byington Mitchell was born on April 4, 1823, in Mansfield, Ohio. He studied to become a lawyer in Mount Vernon, Ohio. After finishing his studies, he started his own law practice in Mansfield.
Mitchell also served in the Mexican–American War as a second lieutenant. In 1855, he was elected mayor of Mount Gilead, Ohio. The next year, he moved to Linn County, in what was then the Kansas Territory.
He became involved in politics there. He served in the territory's legislature from 1857 to 1858. He was also the treasurer of the Kansas Territory from 1859 to 1861.
Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Mitchell quickly joined the Union effort. He served as the top military officer for Kansas, known as the Adjutant General of Kansas, for a short time in 1861.
He then led the 2nd Kansas Infantry regiment. During the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861, he was seriously wounded. He was shot and fell from his horse while leading his soldiers.
After he recovered, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln promoted him to brigadier general in 1862. He was given command of a group of soldiers at Fort Riley. He also led a division of soldiers at the Battle of Perryville.
Later, during the Chickamauga campaign, Mitchell was the chief of cavalry for the Army of the Cumberland. This meant he was in charge of all the horse-mounted soldiers for that army.
Even though he had been wounded, he continued to serve. For the rest of the Civil War, he commanded military districts in Nebraska and Kansas. He helped deal with conflicts in the Colorado Territory in 1865, after an Indian raid on Julesburg, Colorado.
Governor of New Mexico Territory
Mitchell officially left the army on January 15, 1866. On the very same day, the United States Senate approved his appointment as the Governor of the New Mexico Territory. He officially took on his new role on June 6, 1866.
During his time as governor, he was often away from the capital city, Santa Fe. This meant that the local government had to send new laws they passed all the way to Washington, D.C. for approval by the United States Congress. He resigned from his position as governor in 1869.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving his role as governor, Robert Mitchell went back to Kansas. In 1872, he tried to become a representative for Kansas in the U.S. Congress, but he was not successful.
He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he passed away on January 26, 1882. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
