Rush Hawkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rush Hawkins
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | September 14, 1831 Pomfret, Vermont |
| Died | October 25, 1920 (aged 89) New York City, New York |
| Place of burial |
Brown University Providence, Rhode Island
|
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1847 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 9th New York Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | politics |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Rush Christopher Hawkins (born September 14, 1831 – died October 25, 1920) was a very interesting person who had many jobs. He was a lawyer, a brave soldier in the American Civil War, a politician, and a passionate collector of old books and art. He left the main Union Army in 1863 but continued to serve in the New York Militia. Later, because of his excellent service, he was given an honorary rank of brevet brigadier general.
Who Was Rush Hawkins?
Rush Hawkins was born in Pomfret, Vermont. When he was just 15 years old, he joined the United States Dragoons to fight in the Mexican–American War. After the war ended, he moved to New York City and studied to become a lawyer.
In 1860, Rush Hawkins married Annmary Brown. She passed away in 1903.
Fighting in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Rush Hawkins helped create a special army group called the 9th New York Infantry. This group was known as "Hawkins Zouaves" because of their unique uniforms. Hawkins became their colonel on May 4, 1861.
He fought bravely in North Carolina early in the war. He was part of an important mission led by Benjamin F. Butler to capture Fort Hatteras in 1861. Even though he sometimes disagreed with his commanders, his actions caught the attention of President Abraham Lincoln. Hawkins was even invited to the White House to talk with the President and General George B. McClellan. He helped convince them that a combined attack by land and sea could work in North Carolina.
This idea led to Ambrose Burnside's North Carolina Expedition. Hawkins was a key figure in battles like Roanoke Island and New Bern in 1862. After more soldiers arrived, he took command of a larger group of troops. He was injured in his left arm during the battle of South Mills on April 19, 1862.
After he got better, Hawkins and his regiment returned to Virginia. He led his troops during the battle of Fredericksburg. Later, his group moved to southeast Virginia, where he led them during the siege of Suffolk. On May 20, 1863, he left the volunteer army. He did not return to active duty. However, in 1866, President Andrew Johnson gave him an honorary rank of brevet brigadier general for his service. This means he was recognized with the rank, even if he wasn't actively serving in that role.
Life After the War
After the war, Rush Hawkins became involved in politics. He was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly in 1872.
He also became very well known for collecting rare books. He started this hobby before the Civil War. He gathered 225 incunabula, which are books printed before the year 1501. His goal was to collect the first and second books from every European printer from that time. Amazingly, he collected books from 130 of the 238 known printers from the 1400s! In 1990, his amazing book collection was moved to the John Hay Library at Brown University.
Rush Hawkins and his wife also loved collecting art, especially American art from the 1800s. Hawkins was chosen to help organize American artworks for a big exhibition in Paris, France in 1889. During this time, he had a disagreement with a famous artist named James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Whistler was so upset that he removed all his art from the exhibition and later wrote a book about his experiences, which included details about his arguments with Hawkins.
His Final Years
On October 25, 1920, Rush Hawkins was hit by a car while crossing the street near his home in New York City. He sadly died from his injuries. He is buried with his wife in a special crypt at the Annmary Brown Memorial on the Brown University campus in Providence, Rhode Island.
