Charles C. Walcutt
Encyclopedia
Charles Carroll Walcutt was an American
surveyor, soldier, and politician. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War
, in which he was wounded twice.
After the war, Walcutt was warden of the Ohio State Penitentiary
and also was active in civic affairs in Ohio
, and his death was attributed to his wounds from the Civil War.
, located in Franklin County, Ohio
. He was a son of John M. Walcutt, a chair maker, and Mariel Broderick, and had three sisters, one of whom was named Virginia. Walcutt's maternal grandmother was also a first cousin of Davy Crockett
. Both his father (War of 1812
) and grandfather (American Revolution
) had served the United States in combat.
Walcutt received his initial education in the Columbus-area schools, and then in 1854 entered the Kentucky Military Institute
in Lyndon, Kentucky
. He graduated in June 1858, indenting to become a civil engineer
, and he was elected Franklin County's surveyor
the following year. Walcutt married Phebe Neill in 1860. She was born in Belfast
, Ireland
, and was a daughter of Hugh Neill, who had served as an officer in the British Army
. The couple would have three children together, sons named J. Macy, Sherman, and Charles Carroll Jr., who later would serve in the 8th U.S. Cavalry as regiment
al quartermaster
.
. On April 15 he organized a company
of soldiers in Columbus, was appointed its captain on April 17, and went into camp with them the next day. However, Ohio's quota had already been met and Walcutt's company was rejected for Federal use. That June he was appointed a major
in the state forces and served on the staff of Brig. Gen. Charles W. Hill in what is now West Virginia.
That fall Walcutt helped raise and train the 46th Ohio Infantry
. He was appointed to the Union Army as a major
in that regiment
on October 1, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel
on January 30, 1862. Walcutt reported to Paducah, Kentucky
, for duty that February, and in March he went with the army up the Tennessee River
. The 46th Ohio saw its first combat on April 6 during the Battle of Shiloh
. In this fight Walcutt was hit in his left shoulder, and the bullet would remain there for the rest of his life.
Walcutt was promoted to colonel
on October 16, 1862, and given command of the 46th Ohio. He led his regiment in the Vicksburg Campaign
in Mississippi from December 1862 until July 1863. During the campaign, Walcutt fought in the Union victory at the Battle of Jackson
on May 14. He then fought with distinction in the Battle of Missionary Ridge at Chattanooga, Tennessee
, on November 23–25. When Brig. Gen. John M. Corse
was seriously wounded, command of his brigade
fell to Walcutt, who led it and held "against repeated charges by superior numbers." After the fight his overall commander, Maj. Gen.
William T. Sherman, praised Walcutt's efforts in his official report and recommended a promotion. In the report Sherman stated:
The entire brigade re-enlisted on January 5, 1864, an action that highly pleased Walcutt. After leaving Chattanooga, he continued to lead the brigade and fought in the Atlanta Campaign
that summer. Walcutt participated in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
on June 27, and the Battle of Atlanta
on July 22. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general
on July 30. Walcutt's home town newspaper gave this version of his efforts around Atlanta in his obituary:
Walcutt then participated in the March to the Sea
in November and December 1864. He again fought with distinction at the Battle of Griswoldville
on November 22, and was again wounded. His brigade of about 1,500 men moved to support Union cavalry and held a defensive position at Duncan's Farm against repeated attacks by ill-trained Confederate
Georgia Militia
. Combined Union losses in the fight were less than 100, including Walcutt, while the Confederates lost about 51 killed, 472 wounded, and around 600 missing or captured. Walcutt was wounded early in the action, and command of the brigade fell to Col. Robert F. Catterson of the 97th Regiment Indiana Infantry
. Sherman would again praise him in his report, and Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard
said of him "there is not a braver or better officer." He was hit in his right leg by a shell fragment, and would be out of action for months.
On April 4, 1865, Walcutt was recovered enough to command the 1st division
of the XIV Corps
, leading it in the grand review
in Washington, D.C., until June 12. After hostilities ended he led his command to Louisville, Kentucky
, where it was mustered out of the volunteer service that August. For his actions at Griswoldville he was appointed to the rank of brevet
major general
. Walcutt served in the western department until he was mustered out of the Union Army on January 15, 1866.
After the war Walcutt went home, where he was warden of the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus in 1866. On July 28 he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 10th U.S. Cavalry, and proceeded to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to report for duty. He resigned on December 1, 1866, "unwilling to endure army life in time of peace." Walcutt returned to Ohio and again worked as a warden until 1869.
Walcutt was also active in politics in Ohio, and was one of Ulysses S. Grant
's electors in 1868. In May he was appointed the U.S. Internal Revenue Service
collector for the 7th district of Ohio by President Grant, which he held until July 1, 1883. In 1872 Walcutt was elected to the Columbus board of education, with seven years as its president, until April 1, 1894. Also in 1872 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention
held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. In April 1883 he was elected mayor of Columbus, elected to a second term, and retired in April 1887. His wife Phebe died the following year.
In 1898 Walcutt was in Omaha, Nebraska
, heading back to Ohio after visiting Mexico with his sister Virginia "for his health." There his condition worsened, and he stayed in Omaha for about six weeks. Ten days before his death doctors amputated one of his limbs. His body was brought back to Ohio and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
surveyor, soldier, and politician. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, in which he was wounded twice.
After the war, Walcutt was warden of the Ohio State Penitentiary
Ohio Penitentiary
The Ohio Penitentiary, also known as the Ohio State Penitentiary, or less formally, the Ohio Pen or State Pen, was a prison operated from 1834-1983 in downtown Columbus, Ohio, in what is now known as the Arena District. The prison housed 5,235 prisoners at its peak in 1955...
and also was active in civic affairs in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, and his death was attributed to his wounds from the Civil War.
Early life and career
Charles Carroll Walcutt was born in 1838 in the city of ColumbusColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, located in Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. In 2010 the population was 1,163,414, making it the second largest county in Ohio and the 34th largest county in population in the United States. Franklin County is also the largest in the eight-county Columbus, Ohio...
. He was a son of John M. Walcutt, a chair maker, and Mariel Broderick, and had three sisters, one of whom was named Virginia. Walcutt's maternal grandmother was also a first cousin of Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett
David "Davy" Crockett was a celebrated 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S...
. Both his father (War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
) and grandfather (American Revolution
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
) had served the United States in combat.
Walcutt received his initial education in the Columbus-area schools, and then in 1854 entered the Kentucky Military Institute
Kentucky Military Institute
The Kentucky Military Institute was a military preparatory school in Lyndon, Kentucky and Venice, Florida, in operation from 1845 to 1971....
in Lyndon, Kentucky
Lyndon, Kentucky
There were 4,520 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.3% were non-families. 40.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone...
. He graduated in June 1858, indenting to become a civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
, and he was elected Franklin County's surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
the following year. Walcutt married Phebe Neill in 1860. She was born in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and was a daughter of Hugh Neill, who had served as an officer in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. The couple would have three children together, sons named J. Macy, Sherman, and Charles Carroll Jr., who later would serve in the 8th U.S. Cavalry as regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
al quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
.
Civil War service
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Walcutt chose to follow his home state and the Union causeUnion (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
. On April 15 he organized a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of soldiers in Columbus, was appointed its captain on April 17, and went into camp with them the next day. However, Ohio's quota had already been met and Walcutt's company was rejected for Federal use. That June he was appointed a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in the state forces and served on the staff of Brig. Gen. Charles W. Hill in what is now West Virginia.
46th Ohio Infantry
The 46th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 46th Ohio Infantry was organized in Worthington, Ohio October 16, 1861 through January 28, 1862 and mustered in for three years service under the command of Colonel Thomas...
. He was appointed to the Union Army as a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in that regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
on October 1, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
on January 30, 1862. Walcutt reported to Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is the largest city in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase Region and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, halfway between the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Missouri, to the west and Nashville,...
, for duty that February, and in March he went with the army up the Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
. The 46th Ohio saw its first combat on April 6 during the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
. In this fight Walcutt was hit in his left shoulder, and the bullet would remain there for the rest of his life.
Walcutt was promoted to colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
on October 16, 1862, and given command of the 46th Ohio. He led his regiment in the Vicksburg Campaign
Vicksburg Campaign
The Vicksburg Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River. The Union Army of the Tennessee under Maj. Gen....
in Mississippi from December 1862 until July 1863. During the campaign, Walcutt fought in the Union victory at the Battle of Jackson
Battle of Jackson (MS)
The Battle of Jackson, fought on May 14, 1863, in Jackson, Mississippi, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee defeated Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, seizing the city, cutting supply lines, and...
on May 14. He then fought with distinction in the Battle of Missionary Ridge at Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, on November 23–25. When Brig. Gen. John M. Corse
John M. Corse
John Murray Corse was an American politician and soldier who served as a general in the Union Army in the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
was seriously wounded, command of his brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
fell to Walcutt, who led it and held "against repeated charges by superior numbers." After the fight his overall commander, Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
William T. Sherman, praised Walcutt's efforts in his official report and recommended a promotion. In the report Sherman stated:
The entire brigade re-enlisted on January 5, 1864, an action that highly pleased Walcutt. After leaving Chattanooga, he continued to lead the brigade and fought in the Atlanta Campaign
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May...
that summer. Walcutt participated in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was fought on June 27, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the most significant frontal assault launched by Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman against the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Joseph E...
on June 27, and the Battle of Atlanta
Battle of Atlanta
The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta Campaign fought during the American Civil War on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Continuing their summer campaign to seize the important rail and supply center of Atlanta, Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman overwhelmed...
on July 22. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
on July 30. Walcutt's home town newspaper gave this version of his efforts around Atlanta in his obituary:
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea is the name commonly given to the Savannah Campaign conducted around Georgia from November 15, 1864 to December 21, 1864 by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army in the American Civil War...
in November and December 1864. He again fought with distinction at the Battle of Griswoldville
Battle of Griswoldville
The Battle of Griswoldville was the first battle of Sherman's March to the Sea, fought November 22, 1864, during the American Civil War. A Union Army brigade under Brig. Gen. Charles C. Walcutt fought three brigades of Georgia militia under Brig. Gen. Pleasant J...
on November 22, and was again wounded. His brigade of about 1,500 men moved to support Union cavalry and held a defensive position at Duncan's Farm against repeated attacks by ill-trained Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
Georgia Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
. Combined Union losses in the fight were less than 100, including Walcutt, while the Confederates lost about 51 killed, 472 wounded, and around 600 missing or captured. Walcutt was wounded early in the action, and command of the brigade fell to Col. Robert F. Catterson of the 97th Regiment Indiana Infantry
97th Regiment Indiana Infantry
The 97th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in southwestern Indiana in 1862, the regiment saw action throughout the South at the siege of Vicksburg, the Battle of Atlanta and Sherman's March to the...
. Sherman would again praise him in his report, and Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard
Oliver O. Howard
Oliver Otis Howard was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War...
said of him "there is not a braver or better officer." He was hit in his right leg by a shell fragment, and would be out of action for months.
On April 4, 1865, Walcutt was recovered enough to command the 1st division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
of the XIV Corps
XIV Corps (ACW)
XIV Corps was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was one of the earliest corps formations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Creation:...
, leading it in the grand review
Grand Review of the Armies
The Grand Review of the Armies was a military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., on May 23 and May 24, 1865, following the close of the American Civil War...
in Washington, D.C., until June 12. After hostilities ended he led his command to Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, where it was mustered out of the volunteer service that August. For his actions at Griswoldville he was appointed to the rank of brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
. Walcutt served in the western department until he was mustered out of the Union Army on January 15, 1866.
Postbellum career
Walcutt was also active in politics in Ohio, and was one of Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
's electors in 1868. In May he was appointed the U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
collector for the 7th district of Ohio by President Grant, which he held until July 1, 1883. In 1872 Walcutt was elected to the Columbus board of education, with seven years as its president, until April 1, 1894. Also in 1872 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention
1872 Republican National Convention
At the 1872 Republican National Convention the Republicans renominated incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant but nominated a new Vice-Presidential candidate, Henry Wilson. Others, who had grown weary of the corruption of the Grant administration, bolted to form the Liberal Republican Party, which...
held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. In April 1883 he was elected mayor of Columbus, elected to a second term, and retired in April 1887. His wife Phebe died the following year.
In 1898 Walcutt was in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, heading back to Ohio after visiting Mexico with his sister Virginia "for his health." There his condition worsened, and he stayed in Omaha for about six weeks. Ten days before his death doctors amputated one of his limbs. His body was brought back to Ohio and was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
External links
- osborneonline.net Image of Walcutt's grave marker.