William B. Franklin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Buel Franklin
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Major General William B. Franklin
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| Born | February 27, 1823 York, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 8, 1903 (aged 80) Hartford, Connecticut |
| Place of burial |
Prospect Hill Cemetery, York, Pennsylvania
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1843–1865 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | VI Corps XIX Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Buel Franklin (February 27, 1823 – March 8, 1903) was an officer in the United States Army. He became a general for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He led a large group of soldiers called a corps in the Army of the Potomac. Franklin fought in many important battles in the eastern part of the Civil War. He was also a talented engineer both before and after the war.
Contents
Early Life and Military Training
William B. Franklin was born in York, Pennsylvania. His father, Walter S. Franklin, worked for the United States House of Representatives. One of his great-grandfathers, Samuel Rhoads, was part of the very first Continental Congress from Pennsylvania.
In June 1839, future President James Buchanan helped Franklin get into the United States Military Academy (West Point). Franklin was a brilliant student and graduated first in his class in 1843. He then joined the Corps of Topographical Engineers. His first jobs included surveying the Great Lakes and the Rocky Mountains.
Service in the Mexican-American War
Franklin served under General John E. Wool during the Mexican–American War. He was promoted to first lieutenant after the Battle of Buena Vista. This was a "brevet" promotion, meaning it was a temporary higher rank for bravery.
Engineering Work Before the War
After the war, Franklin worked on many engineering projects in Washington, D.C.. In 1857, he became a captain. He was put in charge of building several lighthouses along the Atlantic Coast. In 1859, he helped supervise the building of the United States Capitol Dome. Just before the Civil War began in 1861, he was put in charge of building the new Treasury Building.
In 1852, Franklin married Anna L. Clarke. They did not have any children.
Civil War Service
Soon after the Civil War began, Franklin was made a colonel in the 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment. Just three days later, on May 17, 1861, he was promoted to brigadier general.
Fighting in the East
Franklin commanded a brigade (a group of soldiers) at the First Battle of Bull Run. After that, he became a division commander in the new Army of the Potomac. In March 1862, the army was organized into corps, and Franklin was chosen to lead the VI Corps. He led this corps during the Peninsula Campaign. His corps did not fight much in the Seven Days Battles. Franklin was promoted to major general on July 4, 1862.
During the Maryland Campaign, Franklin's troops fought at the Battle of Crampton's Gap. He successfully cleared the gap. However, he did not advance further to attack the rear of Stonewall Jackson's troops. This contributed to the large surrender of Union forces at the Battle of Harpers Ferry.
At the Battle of Antietam, Franklin's VI Corps was held back as a reserve. He tried to convince his superior, Maj. Gen. Edwin Vose Sumner, to let his corps attack a weak spot in the Confederate lines. But Sumner refused.
Franklin was a strong supporter of Major General George B. McClellan. This was one reason he was not chosen to lead the Army of the Potomac after McClellan was removed in November 1862.
Battle of Fredericksburg
At the Battle of Fredericksburg, Franklin commanded a large group of soldiers called the "Left Grand Division." This group included the I and VI Corps. Franklin's job was to attack the Confederate right side, led by Lt. Gen. Stonewall Jackson. He was supposed to cross the Rappahannock River south of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Franklin did not send enough reinforcements to his subordinate, Maj. Gen. George Meade, in time. This caused them to miss a chance to break through the Confederate lines. The Army of the Potomac commander, Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside, blamed Franklin for this failure.
After the Battle of Fredericksburg, some officers disagreed with Burnside's leadership. Franklin was seen as a main leader of this group. Burnside then caused problems for Franklin, testifying against him and keeping him from leading troops for months. When Joseph Hooker took command of the army in February 1863, Franklin resigned his command. He refused to serve under Hooker. During the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863, Franklin was at home in York, Pennsylvania. He helped plan how to defend the area from a possible enemy attack.
Fighting in the West
Later, Franklin was sent to the Department of the Gulf in New Orleans. In September 1863, he tried to capture Sabine Pass in Texas. This operation failed when his force lost two warships.
In 1864, Franklin took part in the difficult Red River Campaign in Louisiana and Texas. He commanded the XIX Corps. On April 8, 1864, he was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Mansfield in Louisiana. He stayed with his troops, but his condition worsened. After the Battle of Pleasant Hill, he was replaced by Maj. Gen. William H. Emory.
In July 1864, while on medical leave, Franklin was captured by Confederate soldiers near Washington, D.C. However, he escaped the next day. His military career was limited after this due to his wound and other problems. He could not serve in any more senior commands.
After the War
After the Civil War, General Franklin moved to Hartford, Connecticut. He became the vice-president of the Colt Firearms Manufacturing Company until 1888. He also served on the boards of other manufacturing companies.
Between 1872 and 1880, he oversaw the building of the Connecticut State Capitol. His engineering skills were very helpful for public projects. He helped improve Hartford's public water system. For two years, he was also the adjutant general (a senior officer) of the Connecticut state militia.
In 1872, some members of the Democratic Party asked Franklin to run for President of the United States. He declined, saying the party needed to stay united. He was a delegate to the 1876 Democratic National Convention. In 1888, after retiring from Colt Firearms, he was named the U.S. Commissioner-General for the Paris Exposition of 1889. There, he received a high honor called the Legion of Honour. From 1880 to 1899, he was president of the Board of Managers for the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
William Franklin died in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 8, 1903, due to health problems related to old age. He was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery (York, Pennsylvania). He was one of the few Civil War generals to live into the 20th century.
Recognition
In 1861, Franklin became a member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati. He also joined the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Aztec Club of 1847. The York County History Center in York, Pennsylvania, keeps many of his papers and personal items from the Civil War.
See also
In Spanish: William B. Franklin para niños
