Solomon Meredith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Solomon Meredith
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the Wayne County district
In office 1846–1848
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the Wayne County district
In office 1854–1856
Personal details
Born	(1810-05-29)May 29, 1810 Guilford County, North Carolina
Died	October 2, 1875(1875-10-02) (aged 65) Cambridge City, Wayne County, Indiana
Resting place	Riverside Cemetery, Cambridge City, Indiana
Political party	Whig Republican
Signature
Nickname	"Long Sol"
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861 – 1865
Rank	Brigadier General Brevet Major General
Commands	19th Indiana Infantry Regiment Iron Brigade
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Solomon Meredith (born May 29, 1810 – died October 2, 1875) was an important person from Indiana. He was a farmer, a politician, and a lawman. During the American Civil War, he became a general in the Union Army.

Meredith was one of the leaders of the famous Iron Brigade. This group fought bravely in many battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg. Even though he was badly hurt at Gettysburg, he later became a successful farmer. He raised award-winning animals and welcomed veterans from his army unit to his home.

Early Life and Family

Solomon Meredith was born in Guilford County, North Carolina. He was the youngest of twelve children. His parents were David and Mary Farrington Meredith. His grandfather, James Meredith, fought in the American Revolutionary War. He was at the Battle of Guilford Court House.

The Meredith family were Quakers. They taught young Solomon at home. He was very tall, standing 6 feet 7 inches. Because of his height, people called him "Long Sol."

In 1836, Solomon Meredith married Anna Hannah. Her father, Samuel Hannah, later became the Treasurer of Indiana. Solomon and Anna had three sons who grew up. Their daughter Mary died when she was a child.

Their oldest son, Samuel H. Meredith, served in the army with his father. He died at home in 1864 from injuries he got in a battle. Another son, David M. Meredith, was a captain and earned a special promotion. He passed away in Alabama in 1867. Their youngest son, Henry Clay Meredith, lived and took over the family farm.

Even though he was born a Quaker, Solomon Meredith later became a Methodist. He was also a member of the Freemasons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Career in Public Service

In 1829, when Solomon was 19, he left North Carolina. He walked to Wayne County, Indiana. There, he found work chopping wood and helping on a farm. He then worked in a store in Centerville. Later, he opened his own store in Milton. After that, he moved to Cambridge City. This was the main town in Wayne County. He owned a large farm nearby called "Oakland."

In 1834, Meredith was elected as the Sheriff of Wayne County. He served for two years. Then, he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. He was a strong supporter of the Whig Party. During this time, Wayne County was an important place for the Underground Railroad. This was a network that helped enslaved people find freedom.

Meredith served in the Indiana House until 1849. The new Whig President, Zachary Taylor, then made him a U.S. Marshall for Indiana. He worked in this role for four years. After that, he was again elected to the Indiana House. This time, he was a member of the new Republican Party.

As a lawmaker, Meredith supported education. He also helped with projects to improve Indiana, like building canals and railroads. He worked to raise money for the Indiana Central Railroad. Later, he became the president of the Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad Company.

Civil War Service

When the Civil War started in 1861, Solomon Meredith helped. He gathered hundreds of men from his county. He organized them into a volunteer regiment of infantry. The Governor of Indiana, Oliver P. Morton, made Meredith the first colonel of the 19th Indiana Regiment. This was even though he had no military experience before.

His regiment traveled to Washington, D.C. They joined the Army of the Potomac. They were grouped with three regiments from Wisconsin. Together, they became known as the famous Iron Brigade.

Meredith and his soldiers first fought at Brawner's Farm. His horse was shot from under him. The horse fell on him, breaking several ribs. During the Maryland Campaign, Meredith was at the Battle of South Mountain. But then, he said he was too injured to continue. He went to Washington to rest. His replacement was killed in battle.

Despite some disagreements with other generals, Meredith had powerful friends in politics. Indiana Governor Oliver Morton supported him. Because of this, Meredith was promoted to Brigadier General. He led his brigade in battle for the first time at Fredericksburg.

In the spring of 1863, Meredith's brigade was part of the Chancellorsville Campaign. They did not see much fighting there. But that changed in July at the Battle of Gettysburg. The Iron Brigade suffered many losses. They were among the first soldiers to arrive. In the morning, they defeated a Confederate brigade and captured its leader. However, later that day, Meredith's brigade was attacked from the side and front.

Meredith was badly hurt at Gettysburg. A piece of metal hit him in the head. This fractured his skull and caused a severe concussion. His horse was also killed and fell on him. This broke his ribs and injured his right leg. He was too hurt to lead troops in battle again.

For the rest of the war, Meredith worked in administrative roles. He commanded army bases along the Mississippi River in places like Cairo, Illinois, and Paducah, Kentucky.

Life After the War

When the war ended in 1865, Meredith left the army. He returned home to Indiana. He had earned the special rank of Major General. Even though he never fully recovered from his Gettysburg injuries, Meredith went back to farming. He also worked as a local tax assessor for a few years.

From 1867 to 1869, he was the surveyor general of the Montana Territory. After that, he retired to his farm. He raised prize-winning long-horn cattle, sheep, and horses. After Solomon Meredith passed away, his son Henry Clay Meredith and his daughter-in-law Virginia Claypool Meredith continued to run the farm and care for his animals.

Death and Remembrance

Solomon Meredith died on his farm in 1875. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Cambridge City, Indiana.

A local group for Civil War veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic, later named their post in Richmond, Indiana, in his honor.

See also

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)