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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] John Sedgwick Biography SEDGWICK,
John (1813-64). An American soldier, born at Cornwall, Conn. He graduated at
West Point in 1837, saw active service in the Second Seminole War, served with
distinction in the Mexican War, and received the brevets of captain and major.
On Aug. 25, 1861, he was promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel and six
days later received the command of a brigade. He served with efficiency, as a
division commander, in the Peninsular campaign and at Antietam was twice
wounded, but remained upon the field, to inspire his troops, for two hours after
receiving the second wound. In December, 1862, he was appointed a major general
and in February, 1863, was placed in command of the Sixth Army Corps. In Hooker's
Chancellorsville campaign he captured Marye's Heights, near Fredericksburg, and
after Hooker's defeat displayed great skill in withdrawing across the
Rappahannock. When Lee invaded Pennsylvania, Sedgwick,
by a remarkable forced march, reached Gettysburg in time to take an important
part in the last two days of the battle. In the following November he succeeded
by a skillful manœuvre in capturing at the Rapidan 1500 men of General Early's
division. He took part under General Grant in the
battles of the Wilderness, but was killed on May 9, 1864, while superintending
the planting of some guns at Spotsylvania. A monument made from cannon captured
by his corps was erected in his honor at West Point in 1868. |