Thomas Grimke Rhett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Grimke Rhett
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| Born | August 2, 1821 Schenectady, New York |
| Died | July 28, 1878 (aged 56) Baltimore, Maryland |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Confederate States of America  Khedivate of Egypt |
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army Egyptian Army |
| Years of service | 1845–1861 (US) 1861–1865 (CSA) 1865–1873 (Egypt) |
| Rank | Major (US) Brigadier General (South Carolina) Major (CSA) Colonel (Egypt) |
| Battles/wars | Mexican-American War American Civil War |
Thomas Grimke Rhett was an important military officer. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He served in the United States Army from 1845 to 1861.
Rhett fought in the Mexican–American War between 1847 and 1848. He was recognized for his bravery during the Siege of Puebla (1847) in Mexico. After leaving the U.S. Army, he joined the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He worked as a staff officer for important generals like P. G. T. Beauregard and Joseph E. Johnston. Later, he served in the Egyptian Army as a colonel.
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Early Life and Military Start
Thomas Grimke Rhett was born in South Carolina on August 2, 1821. His birth name was Thomas Moore Smith. His family changed their last name to Rhett in 1837.
He was a very good student at the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1845, ranking 6th in his class of 41 cadets. After graduation, he became a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army's Ordnance Department. This department handles weapons and ammunition.
In 1846, Rhett married Ann Graham Mason. They had seven children, but sadly, none of them lived to adulthood.
Service in the Mexican-American War
In 1846, Rhett was sent to Mexico to fight in the Mexican–American War. This war was between the United States and Mexico. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1847.
During the Siege of Puebla (1847) in Mexico, Rhett showed great courage. He was given a special honor called a "brevet captain" for his brave actions. A brevet rank is a temporary higher rank given for distinguished service. After the war, he joined the Aztec Club of 1847. This was a group for officers who fought in the Mexican-American War.
After the war, Rhett served at various military posts. These included Fort Laramie in Dakota Territory and Corpus Christi, Texas. He was promoted to captain in 1853. Later, he became a major and paymaster in 1858. His last U.S. Army post was at Fort Bliss, Texas.
American Civil War Service
When the American Civil War began, Rhett resigned from the U.S. Army in April 1861. He then joined the Confederate States Army. He was made a major of artillery in the Confederate Army.
He also became a brigadier general in the South Carolina Militia. However, he did not serve in that role. Instead, he worked as a volunteer aide for Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard.
From July 1861 to May 1862, Rhett was a chief of staff for General Joseph E. Johnston. He helped manage the army's operations. When General Johnston was wounded, Rhett was moved to the Trans-Mississippi Department. This was a Confederate military area west of the Mississippi River.
In the Trans-Mississippi Department, Rhett first served as chief of ordnance. This meant he was in charge of all weapons and military supplies. Later, from April 1863 until the end of the war in 1865, he was the chief of artillery. He oversaw all the cannons and big guns for the Confederate forces in that region.
Later Life and Death
After the Civil War ended in 1865, Thomas Grimke Rhett left the United States. He joined the Egyptian Army and served there as a colonel of ordnance. He worked in Egypt from 1865 until 1873.
In 1873, he had a paralytic stroke, which is a serious medical event. Because of his health, he resigned from the Egyptian army. He stayed in Europe for a few years, trying to recover.
In 1876, he returned to the United States. He lived with his relatives in Baltimore, Maryland. Thomas Grimke Rhett died in Baltimore on July 28, 1878, from another paralytic stroke. He was first buried in Green Mount Cemetery and later moved to Loudon Park Cemetery.
