Thomas Alfred Davies facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Alfred Davies
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Thomas Alfred Davies
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| Born | December 3, 1809 Black Lake, New York |
| Died | August 19, 1899 (aged 89) Ogdensburg, New York |
| Place of burial |
Davies Cemetery, Oswegatchie, New York
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1829–1831; 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Thomas Alfred Davies (born December 3, 1809 – died August 19, 1899) was an American who had many talents. He was a businessman, an engineer, and a soldier. He became a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, Davies became a very successful real estate agent. He also wrote several books.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Davies was born in 1809. His birthplace was near Black Lake in St. Lawrence County, New York. He grew up on his father's farm. He went to local schools for his early education.
In 1825, Thomas Davies joined the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point. He graduated in 1829, ranking twenty-fifth in his class. Some of his classmates later became important leaders in the Confederate Army. These included Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston.
After graduating, Davies became an officer in the 1st U.S. Infantry. He served on the Wisconsin frontier. He also worked as a quartermaster at West Point. In 1831, he left the army. He then started a new career as a civil engineer in New York City. From 1841 until the start of the American Civil War in 1861, he worked as a merchant in New York.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Thomas Davies decided to support his home state of New York and the Union. On May 15, he was chosen to be the colonel of the 16th New York Infantry.
Davies led a group of soldiers called a brigade during the First Battle of Bull Run in July. After that, he commanded the 10th Brigade. This group helped defend Washington, D.C., until March 1862. On March 7, 1862, Davies was promoted to brigadier general in the Union Army. He was then sent to the Army of the Tennessee in the Western Theater.
In April and May 1862, Davies was a division commander during the Siege of Corinth. He also took part in the Second Battle of Corinth in October 1862. Later, Davies was put in charge of different military districts. These included Columbus, Kentucky, from 1862 to 1863, and Rolla, Missouri, from 1863 to 1864. He also commanded the North Kansas district from 1864 to 1865.
On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson suggested that Davies be given the honorary rank of brevet major general. The United States Senate agreed to this on March 12, 1866. Davies officially left the Union Army on August 24, 1865.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Thomas Davies went back to New York. He became very wealthy by working in real estate. He also spent time thinking about philosophy and religion. He wrote several books that supported the idea that the Bible was divinely inspired. He also wrote against ideas that focused only on material things.
Some of his books on religion included Cosmogony; or, Mysteries of Creation and Adam and Ha-Adam. He also wrote Genesis Disclosed and Answer to Hugh Miller and Theoretical Geologists. Davies was a member of the Episcopal Church. He was an important and long-time member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in New York. He also wrote a book called How to Make Money, and How to Keep It. This book was later updated and re-released by Henry Ford.
Thomas Davies passed away in Ogdensburg, New York, in 1899. He was buried in his family's cemetery in nearby Oswegatchie.
