Thomas Welsh (general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Welsh
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Colonel Thomas Welsh, ca. 1862
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| Born | May 5, 1824 Columbia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | August 14, 1863 (aged 39) Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Place of burial |
Mount Bethel Cemetery, Columbia, Pennsylvania
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848; 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 45th Pennsylvania Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Thomas Welsh (born May 5, 1824 – died August 14, 1863) was an important soldier in American history. He fought in two major wars: the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. During the Civil War, he became a Union general, leading many soldiers.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Thomas Welsh was born in Columbia, Pennsylvania, on May 5, 1824. He was one of four children. His father died when Thomas was very young, before he turned three. By age eight, Thomas had to start working in a nail factory to help his family.
He worked many different jobs, including farming, factory work, and in the lumber business. He moved between towns like Colemanville, Gap, and Bird in Hand. This helped him become independent at a young age. Thomas didn't go to school much, only for about four or five years in total. However, he taught himself a lot and became a very educated person. When he was 20, Welsh traveled west. He worked as a carpenter in cities like Cincinnati, Ohio, and Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Fighting in the Mexican War
When the Mexican War started, Thomas Welsh joined the army. He became a sergeant in the 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. He fought in the Monterey campaign under General Zachary Taylor. He was quickly promoted but then, for unknown reasons, became a private again.
On February 23, 1847, Welsh was badly hurt at the Battle of Buena Vista. A musket ball (a type of bullet) hit his leg, shattering the bone below his right knee. His leg was saved from being amputated (cut off) by a surgeon named Dr. Blanton. Welsh later named his first son after this doctor. Even though his leg was saved, the injury made him limp for the rest of his life.
He went back home to Columbia to get better. People saw him as a hero for his bravery in the war. In January 1848, as soon as his wound healed, he rejoined the army. He became a second lieutenant in the 11th U.S. Infantry Regiment. He served under General Winfield Scott in the Vera Cruz campaign. But his leg still wasn't fully healed, so in May 1848, he was sent home on medical leave.
Life as a Civilian and Politician
After the Mexican War, Welsh returned to Columbia in 1848. He became involved in local politics, joining the Democratic Party. He supported Lewis Cass for president, even though Cass was running against Welsh's former commander, Zachary Taylor. Welsh also spoke about his belief in "popular sovereignty." This idea meant that each territory should decide for itself whether to allow slavery or not.
In October 1850, Thomas Welsh married Annie Young. They had seven children together, with their first child born in 1851.
Welsh was a smart businessman. He opened a store that sold dry goods (like fabric and clothing) in Columbia. He also sold insurance and owned a small group of canal boats. He even named these boats after his children!
He was given important jobs in his town. In 1850, he became a "weigh master," which meant he was in charge of weighing goods at the canal. A few years later, he became a "lock superintendent," managing the canal locks. He was also elected as a Justice of the Peace, a local judge. He even served as the president of the town council.
Service in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in April 1861, Thomas Welsh quickly gathered a group of volunteers from his home county. He was chosen as their captain. Within days, his company joined the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. Welsh was made a lieutenant colonel of this regiment. This regiment served for three months in the Shenandoah Valley and then in York, Pennsylvania.
After his three-month service ended, Governor Andrew Curtin appointed Welsh as a colonel. He was put in charge of Camp Curtin, a large center that processed up to 500,000 volunteers for the war. Welsh is praised for making important improvements to how the camp was run, especially in terms of discipline and cleanliness.
In October 1861, Welsh was given command of the 45th Pennsylvania Infantry. This regiment was made up of soldiers he had recruited from several counties. The 45th became known as one of the best-trained and most disciplined regiments in the army, thanks to Welsh's leadership.
After a short time near Washington, the 45th was sent south to Charleston Harbor. They were part of a blockade to stop southern ships. They fought in the Battle of James Island on June 10, 1862. In July, the 45th was called north to join the IX Corps under General Ambrose Burnside. Welsh successfully led his troops in protecting the Union's retreat from Acquia Creek.
When Confederate General Robert E. Lee invaded Maryland in September 1862, Welsh's troops were part of the Union army chasing him. At the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, Welsh was leading a larger group of soldiers called a brigade. His brigade fought bravely at Fox's Gap. They faced heavy fire and lost many soldiers, but they managed to push the Confederates off the ridge, securing a Union victory.
On September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam, Welsh's brigade was held back at first because of their losses at South Mountain. But in the afternoon, they were sent into action. Welsh's troops advanced about a mile, even reaching the village of Sharpsburg. This threatened to cut off the Confederate escape route. They had to pull back because they couldn't be supported by other Union forces. This was the furthest the Union army advanced in the battle. The battle ended mostly in a tie.
Welsh's excellent performance earned him praise from his commanders. He was promoted to brigadier general on November 29, 1862. He was then assigned to lead the 1st division of IX Corps. This group was sent west to Kentucky, then south to Mississippi. They served under Major General Ulysses S. Grant during the Siege of Vicksburg. Welsh's job was to protect the Union lines from attacks by Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston.
After Vicksburg surrendered, Welsh marched with Major General William T. Sherman to Jackson, Mississippi. They defeated the Confederates at the Battle of Jackson. During this campaign, Welsh caught a serious illness called malarial fever. He died from it in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 14, 1863. He was buried in Mount Bethel Cemetery in his hometown of Columbia.
Remembering Thomas Welsh
After the Civil War, a group called the Grand Army of the Republic (Post #118) in Columbia was named after Thomas Welsh. For many years, this was one of the most active G.A.R. groups in Pennsylvania. Today, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War also have a General Thomas Welsh Camp in Lancaster, honoring his memory.
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Welsh para niños
