Samuel Ryan Curtis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Ryan Curtis
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Samuel R. Curtis in 1862
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 1st district |
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| In office March 4, 1857 – August 4, 1861 |
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| Preceded by | Augustus Hall |
| Succeeded by | James F. Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 3, 1805 Champlain, New York |
| Died | December 26, 1866 (aged 61) Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Political party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1831–1832, 1846–1847, 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | 2nd Iowa Infantry Army of the Southwest Department of the Missouri Army of the Border |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Samuel Ryan Curtis (born February 3, 1805, died December 26, 1866) was an important American military leader. He was also one of the first members of the Republican Party to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Curtis is best known for being a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He won major battles like the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862 and the Battle of Westport in 1864.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Samuel Curtis was born near Champlain, New York. He studied at the U.S. Military Academy and graduated in 1831. After serving briefly in the Army, he left in 1832.
Curtis then moved to Ohio. There, he worked as an engineer on river projects. He also became a lawyer in 1841.
Service in the Mexican-American War
During the Mexican–American War, Curtis joined the army again. He became a colonel in the 2nd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He helped govern several cities that the U.S. Army had taken control of.
Life in Iowa and Politics
After the war, in the 1850s, Curtis moved to Iowa. He worked as a chief engineer for river improvements in Des Moines. He also worked on public projects in St. Louis and for a railroad in Iowa.
In 1856, he became the mayor of Keokuk. In the same year, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Iowa's 1st congressional district. Curtis and Timothy Davis were the first Republicans from Iowa to serve in the U.S. House. Curtis was re-elected twice. While in Congress, he strongly supported building a railroad across the country.
Civil War Service
Samuel Curtis supported Abraham Lincoln, who later became president. When the American Civil War began, Curtis was appointed a colonel in the 2nd Iowa Infantry on June 1, 1861. He then left his job in Congress. Soon after, he was promoted to brigadier general.
Commanding the Army of the Southwest
On December 25, 1861, Curtis was given command of the Army of the Southwest. This army was made up of several divisions. Curtis moved his headquarters south to Rolla, Missouri. His goal was to help the Union gain control in Arkansas.
In March 1862, his army won an important victory at the Battle of Pea Ridge in northwest Arkansas. This success made him a major general. However, a few days after the battle, he learned that his 20-year-old daughter, Sadie, had passed away.
After Pea Ridge, Curtis's army moved east. They captured the city of Helena, Arkansas in July.
Later Commands and Battles
In September 1862, Curtis was put in charge of the District of Missouri. However, his strong views against slavery caused problems with the governor of Missouri. Because of this, he was moved to command the Department of Kansas & Indian Territory.
In October 1863, Curtis's son, Henry Zarah Curtis, was killed in a surprise attack. This happened during the Battle of Baxter Springs. Samuel Curtis later named Fort Zarah in memory of his son.
In 1864, Curtis returned to Missouri. He fought against a Confederate invasion led by General Sterling Price. Curtis gathered his troops and called his force the Army of the Border. He stopped Price's attack with a victory at the Battle of Westport.
After this, Curtis was given a new command. He led the Army's "Department of the Northwest." This department was dealing with uprisings by Native Americans against settlers in Minnesota and Dakota Territory.
Later Life and Death
In late 1865, Samuel Curtis returned to Iowa. He worked with the Union Pacific Railroad until he passed away the next year. He died in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Curtis is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk.
See also
In Spanish: Samuel R. Curtis para niños
