1. Absalom Baird was a career United States Army officer who distinguished himself as a Union Army general in the American Civil War.
15 Facts About Absalom Baird
1. 2.
Absalom Baird graduated from the preparatory department of Washington College in 1841.
3.
Absalom Baird enrolled in the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1849, ranked ninth in a class of 43.
4.
Absalom Baird fought at the First Battle of Bull Run under Brig.
5.
On November 12,1861, Absalom Baird was promoted to major in the Regular Army while serving as an assistant inspector general.
6.
Absalom Baird commanded the 3rd Division, Army of Kentucky where his troops fared poorly in the battle of Thompson's Station though Baird was not personally involved.
7.
Absalom Baird's troops were present at the battle of the Harpeth River before being assimilated into the Army of the Cumberland.
8.
Absalom Baird won a brevet promotion to colonel in Regular Army for Chattanooga.
9.
Absalom Baird led his division in the Battle of Bentonville in the latter campaign.
10.
Absalom Baird was mustered out of the volunteer service on September 1,1866.
11.
Absalom Baird was appointed an assistant inspector general with the grade of lieutenant colonel on June 17,1867.
12.
Absalom Baird was appointed Inspector General of the Army on March 11,1885, and was promoted to a full grade brigadier general on September 22,1885.
13.
Absalom Baird retired from the Army on August 20,1888, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 64.
14.
Absalom Baird was a veteran companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and a member of the General Society of Colonial Wars.
15.
Absalom Baird died at Relay, Maryland near Baltimore, Maryland, and is buried in section 1, lot 55, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.