John Sedgwick

• 1. Cornwall And West Point

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  John Sedgwick was born on the 13th of September 1813 in Cornwall, Connecticut. He attended Sharon Academy for two years before studying at Cheshire Academy during 1830 and 1831. After teaching for two years, he entered the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1837 ranked 24th out of 50 cadets. The young officer received a commission as second lieutenant in the artillery branch of the U.S. Army. His early career included service in the Seminole Wars. He earned brevet promotions to captain and major during the Mexican, American War. These battles took place at locations like Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec. In 1849, he became a permanent captain and commanded Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery. By March 1855, he transferred to the cavalry with the rank of major. He served in Kansas and participated in the Utah War. During 1857, he led a punitive expedition against the Cheyenne people.

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• 2. Peninsula Campaign Wounds

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  Sedgwick began the American Civil War as a colonel and assistant inspector general of the Military Department of Washington. He missed the First Battle of Bull Run while recovering from cholera. On the 31st of August 1861, he was promoted to brigadier general. He commanded the 2nd brigade within Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman's division. Later he led his own division designated as the 2nd division of the II Corps for the Peninsula Campaign. Fighting occurred at Yorktown and Seven Pines in Virginia. During the Seven Days Battles, his division engaged Confederate forces at Savage's Station and Glendale. He sustained wounds at the latter engagement. After these battles, he rose to the rank of major general. The II Corps and Sedgwick's division did not participate in the Northern Virginia Campaign. In the Battle of Antietam, Union commander Maj. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner ordered an assault without proper reconnaissance. Sedgwick's division faced Confederate troops under Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson on three sides. His men were routed with barely half their numbers remaining. Sedgwick himself was shot three times in the wrist, leg, and shoulder. This injury kept him out of action until after the Battle of Fredericksburg.

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• 3. VI Corps And Chancellorsville

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  From the 26th of December 1862, Sedgwick briefly led the II Corps and IX Corps before taking command of the VI Corps. He held this position until his death in 1864. During the Second Battle of Fredericksburg, his corps faced Fredericksburg while other Union corps maneuvered against Robert E. Lee's flank. Sedgwick crossed the Rappahannock River and assaulted Jubal Early's force on Marye's Heights on May 3. He moved west slowly to join forces with Hooker but was stopped by elements of Lee's Second Corps at the Battle of Salem Church. This forced a retreat back over the river. At the Battle of Gettysburg, his corps arrived late on July 2. Only a few units participated in final counterattacks in the Wheatfield. Brigades scattered around to plug holes during the second and third days. Much of the VI Corps remained in reserve. The unit performed exceptionally at the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station in November. They captured four field pieces, eight stands of enemy colors, and 1,700 prisoners.

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• 4. Overland Campaign Survival

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  Prior to the Overland Campaign in spring 1864, George Meade reorganized the Army of the Potomac. Several underperforming generals were removed from command. Sedgwick narrowly avoided dismissal despite being unpopular with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. He had criticized General Benjamin Butler and expressed admiration for departed commander George McClellan. Radical Republicans viewed him as insufficiently enthusiastic about abolitionism. Meade proposed reassigning him to the Shenandoah Valley. Sedgwick acknowledged he was war-weary and wished to return home to New England. A letter to his sister stated he could leave without regret. General Franz Sigel ultimately received the Shenandoah Valley command instead. This theater became much more active than expected. Sedgwick remained in command of the VI Corps. During the campaign, the corps defended against assaults by Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell's Second Corps at the Battle of the Wilderness. The Union right flank held firm against Confederate attacks.

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• 5. Spotsylvania Death

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  Sedgwick died on the 9th of May 1864, during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. His corps probed skirmish lines ahead of the left flank while directing artillery placements. Confederate sharpshooters positioned themselves approximately 800 yards away. Their shots caused staff members and infantrymen from the 87th Pennsylvania and 14th New Jersey to duck for cover. Artillerymen from the 1st Massachusetts also sought shelter. Sedgwick strode around in the open area. He asked men why they were dodging for single bullets. He told them they would not survive if fire opened along the whole line. Men continued to flinch despite his words. He remarked that enemies could not hit an elephant at this distance. A Whitworth rifle bullet struck him under the left eye moments later. Chief of staff Martin T. McMahon heard whistling noises from flying bullets. Blood spurting from his cheek brought immediate knowledge of the disaster. He fell to the ground with his chief of staff bleeding out until his hair was soaked with blood.

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• 6. Irony And Rank

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  Reports claiming he never finished his sentence are considered apocryphal though the line remains among his last words. Sedgwick became the highest-ranking general officer in the US Volunteers killed in the war. Major General James B. McPherson commanded an army but held lower seniority by date than Sedgwick. McPherson was a brigadier general in the Regular Army and outranked Sedgwick who was a colonel. Upon hearing news of his death, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant repeatedly asked if he was truly dead. His reputation was that of a solid dependable general. Soldiers affectionately called him Uncle John. Robert E. Lee expressed sadness over the fate of an old friend. George G. Meade wept upon receiving news of the loss. Grant characterized Sedgwick as someone never at fault when serious work needed doing. The loss felt worse than losing an entire division to Union forces.

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• 7. Monuments And Namesakes

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  Sedgwick is buried near Cornwall Hollow Connecticut where he was born. An equestrian statue honors him and the VI Corps at Gettysburg National Military Park. A monument stands at West Point Academy. Legend says spinning rowels of spurs on boots brings good luck during final exams. Several places bear his name including Sedgwick Colorado and Sedgwick County Kansas. Fort Sedgwick served as part of the siege line during 1864, 65. Camp Rankin was renamed Fort Sedgwick in 1865 near Julesburg Colorado. Sedgwick Avenue runs through the Bronx New York City. Another street exists near American University in Washington D.C. Chicago features another named street with a CTA station nearby. Grand Army of the Republic Posts number 4, 12, 17, and 37 honor him across various states. A junior high school in Port Orchard Washington carries his name. Farley headquarters listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 remains associated with his legacy.

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