Gordon Granger was a career US Army officer and a Union general during the American Civil War, where he distinguished himself at the Battle of Chickamauga.
30 Facts About Gordon Granger
2.
Gordon Granger was born in Joy, Wayne County, New York, in 1821 to Gaius Gordon Granger and Catherine Taylor being one of three children in his family.
3.
Gordon Granger's mother died on April 17,1825, one month after giving birth to a daughter.
4.
Gordon Granger's father married again in November 1826 to Sara Emery and the two would have 10 children.
5.
Gordon Granger spent his early years with his paternal grandparents in Phelps, New York.
6.
Gordon Granger was appointed to the academy in 1841 when he was 19 years old.
7.
Gordon Granger graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1845 placed thirty-fifth in a class of forty-one cadets.
8.
Gordon Granger was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant and assigned to the Second Infantry Regiment stationed in Detroit, Michigan.
9.
Gordon Granger took part in the Siege of Veracruz, the Battle of Cerro Gordo, the Battle of Contreras, the Battle of Churubusco, and the Battle for Mexico City.
10.
Gordon Granger received two citations for gallantry and in May 1847 received his regular commission as a second lieutenant.
11.
Gordon Granger was temporarily assigned to the staff of General George B McClellan in Ohio.
12.
Gordon Granger was cited for gallantry at Wilson's Creek, became a brevet major and was made a commander of the St Louis Arsenal.
13.
In November 1861, Gordon Granger assumed command of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry Regiment at Benton Barracks in St Louis, becoming a colonel of volunteers.
14.
Gordon Granger brought them up to the full standard of regulars within a period of three months," and "though a gruff appearing man, had succeeded in winning the respect of his regiment by his strict attention to all the details of making a well disciplined body of soldiers out of a mass of awkward men from every walk of life.
15.
Gordon Granger assumed command over the Third Cavalry Brigade consisting of the 2nd and the 3rd Michigan cavalry regiments.
16.
On March 26,1862, Gordon Granger was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers and commanded the Cavalry Division, Army of the Mississippi during the Battle of New Madrid and the Siege of Corinth.
17.
Gordon Granger was promoted to major general of volunteers on September 17,1862, and took command of the Army of Kentucky.
18.
Gordon Granger conducted cavalry operations in central Tennessee before his command was merged into the Army of the Cumberland, becoming the Reserve Corps.
19.
Gordon Granger is most famous for his actions commanding the Reserve Corps at the Battle of Chickamauga.
20.
Gordon Granger led the land forces that captured Forts Gaines and Morgan in conjunction with the Union naval operations during the Battle of Mobile Bay.
21.
Gordon Granger commanded the XIII Corps during the Battle of Fort Blakeley, which led to the fall of the city of Mobile, Alabama.
22.
When Gordon Granger was done serving in Texas he commanded the Department of Kentucky from August 12,1865, to January 15,1866.
23.
On May 2,1866, Gordon Granger was elected a First Class Companion of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a prestigious military society for officers of the Union Army and their descendants.
24.
Gordon Granger remained in the Army after mustering out from volunteer service.
25.
Gordon Granger reported back for duty on September 1,1867.
26.
Gordon Granger was reassigned as colonel of the 15th Infantry Regiment, December 15,1870.
27.
Gordon Granger was given command of the District of New Mexico, from April 29,1871, to June 1,1873.
28.
Cochise who was the leader of the Chiricahuan tribe and his people went to New Mexico where he contacted Gordon Granger to discuss peace terms, which the two did in March 1872 at Canada Alamosa.
29.
Gordon Granger went on sick leave of absence to October 31,1875; and then was again in command of the District of New Mexico, October 31,1875, to January 10,1876.
30.
On January 10,1876, Gordon Granger died in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he was serving in command of the District of New Mexico.