Samuel Whitside facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Marmaduke Whitside
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Brig. Gen. S. M. Whitside at Santiago de Cuba, 10 Jun 1901, while serving as Commanding General of the District of Santiago
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| Born | January 9, 1839 Toronto, British Canada |
| Died | December 15, 1904 (aged 65) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army
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| Years of service | 1858–1902 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Unit |  6th Cav Regt 7th Cav Regt 5th Cav Regt 10th Cav Regt |
| Commands held | B Co, 6th Cav Regt Camp Livingston, Texas Camp Huachuca, Arizona 3d & 2d Bns, 7th Cav Regt Provisional Brigade Commander which included the 5th Cav Regt and 10th Cav Regt 10th Cav Regt Depts of Eastern Cuba and Santiago & Puerto Prinicipe Cuba Dist of Santiago |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Cuban Occupation |
| Awards |  Brevet Captain Brevet Major |
| Spouse(s) | Carrie P. McGavock |
| Relations | Col. Warren Whitside (son) Lt. Col. Archie Miller (son-in-law) |
| Signature |  |
Samuel M. Whitside was an important officer in the United States Cavalry. He served in the army for 43 years, from 1858 to 1902. During his long career, he led many different groups of soldiers. He commanded troops at places like Fort Huachuca and Fort Sam Houston. He also led a special cavalry group that included the 10th and 5th Cavalry Regiments.
Whitside's career ended when he retired as a brigadier general in 1902. He is remembered for a few key events. These include helping to start Fort Huachuca in Arizona. He also played a role in the Wounded Knee Massacre and the Pine Ridge Campaign of 1890–91. These events are often mentioned in history books about his time in the U.S. cavalry.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
Samuel M. Whitside was born in Toronto, Canada, on January 9, 1839. He went to school there before moving to New York. In New York, he attended Careyville Academy.
In 1858, Whitside joined the U.S. Army. He served for three years at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania. There, he was promoted to Corporal. In 1861, he became a sergeant major in the 3rd Cavalry. This unit was soon renamed the 6th Cavalry Regiment.
On November 4, 1861, Samuel Whitside became a second lieutenant in the 6th U.S. Cavalry. He began his duties as a junior officer in Company K.
Service During the American Civil War
Lieutenant Whitside fought with the 6th Cavalry in the Peninsular Campaign in 1862. He took part in several battles, including Williamsburg and Battle of Malvern Hill.
Later, Whitside worked as an aide to Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. He was part of the Siege of Port Hudson in Louisiana in 1863. During the war, Whitside faced health issues, including smallpox. He was also badly hurt at the Battle of Culpeper Court House. After this, he spent the rest of the Civil War helping with recruiting new soldiers. He earned special promotions to captain and major for his loyal service.
After the war, Whitside joined a military group called the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. This group was for Union officers and their families.
Life on the Frontier
For the next 20 years, Whitside served with the 6th Cavalry. He commanded B Company at many different army posts across the American West.
Founding Fort Huachuca
In March 1877, Captain Whitside led his troops to the Huachuca Mountains in Arizona. He was not happy with their old camp. He found a new spot near a spring with good views. Whitside realized this was a perfect place for a new army post. On March 4, he ordered the start of "Camp Huachuca." He was the first commander of this important post until March 1881.
Moving to the 7th Cavalry
After many years as a captain, Whitside was transferred to the 7th Cavalry Regiment in 1885. He was promoted to major. The 7th Cavalry was serving in the Dakota Territory at places like Fort Meade. In 1887, the regiment moved to Fort Riley, Kansas.
During his 22 years on the frontier, Whitside got married and had seven children. Sadly, four of them died when they were young. He served at more than 20 different army posts during this time.
Wounded Knee Incident
In December 1890, Major Whitside was part of the 7th Cavalry Regiment during the Wounded Knee Massacre. This was a tragic event that occurred during the Sioux Wars.
Later Career and Retirement
During the Spanish–American War, Whitside served as a lieutenant colonel. He was part of the 5th Cavalry.
Whitside continued to rise in rank. He became a colonel in 1898. In 1901, he was promoted to brigadier general. He retired from the U.S. Army in June 1902.
Family Life
Samuel Whitside was married to Caroline P. McGavock for 36 years. They had seven children, and three of them lived to be adults.
Their oldest son, Warren Whitside, became a colonel in the Army. Warren's son, Warren Jr., served as a captain in the U.S. Navy. Samuel and Caroline's daughter, Madeline, married Archie Miller, who was a cavalry officer and later received the Medal of Honor. Another daughter, Caroline, married Robert Whitney Burns, who became an army lieutenant general. Their youngest child, Victor, became a major in the Army. He commanded soldiers during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in World War I. Victor died in Germany from pneumonia at the end of the war.
Samuel Whitside, his wife Caroline, and their son Victor are buried together at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Images for kids
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Group of 6th U.S. Cavalry officers in camp at Snickers Gap, Va., in 1862. Second Lieutenant Samuel Whitside is sitting on the left.
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Founder of Fort Huachuca – Captain Samuel M. Whitside, 6th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, c. 1876. In March 1877, Whitside chose the perfect spot for a new army camp in Arizona. He named it "Camp Huachuca."
