Henry Eugene Davies
Encyclopedia
Henry Eugene Davies was an American
soldier, writer, public official and lawyer. He served in the Union Army
as a brigadier general
of volunteers in cavalry
service during the American Civil War
("Civil War") and was promoted to the grade of major general
of volunteers at the end of the war. Davies was one of the few nonprofessional soldiers in the Union cavalry in the East to be promoted to the grade of general. He led his brigade in several major battles, especially during the Overland Campaign
, the Battle of Trevilian Station
, the Siege of Petersburg
and the Appomattox Campaign
at the end of the war.
, the eldest son of Judge Henry E. Davies
. He was educated at Harvard
, Williams
, and Columbia
colleges, and was admitted to the bar
in 1857. On August 10, 1858, he married Julia Rich, daughter of John T. Rich and Julia Van Voorhies, at Fishkill-on-Hudson, New York. They had one son, Henry Eugene. Henry Davies was the nephew of Union Army Brigadier General
and Brevet
Major General
Thomas Alfred Davies
.
, Virginia on June 10, 1861. In August 1861, Davies was appointed major
of the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The regiment was attached to Major General Irvin McDowell's
corps on the Rappahannock River
line during the Peninsula Campaign
. The regiment was heavily engaged in the campaign of Second Manassas. Davies was promoted to lieutenant colonel
in December 1862 and to colonel
in June 1863. In June 1863, the 2d New York Cavalry suffered heavy casualties at Beverly's Ford, Virginia during the Battle of Brandy Station
on June 9, 1863 and at the Battle of Aldie
, Virginia on June 17, 1863. The regiment was stationed at the Union Army supply base at Westminster, Maryland
during the Battle of Gettysburg
.
Davies was appointed brigadier general of volunteers on September 16, 1863, although his appointment was not confirmed by the United States Senate
until April 1, 1864. He served with distinction in the Cavalry Corps
, Army of the Potomac
in brigade and three brief periods of temporary division command until the end of the war. Davies was one of the few nonprofessional soldiers in the Union cavalry in the Eastern theater of the Civil War to be promoted to the grade of general.
Davies's brigade initially was the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac. In late 1863, the brigade participated in the inconclusive Bristoe Campaign
. Before the Overland Campaign
, it became the 1st Brigade of the 2d Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac, commanded until early February 1865 by Brigadier General and later Brevet Major General David McMurtrie Gregg
. The brigade included the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry
, the 10th New York Volunteer Cavalry, the 24th New York Volunteer Cavalry, five companies of the 1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry and Battery A of the 2d United States Artillery.
During the Overland Campaign, Davies's brigade participated in cavalry corps commander, Major General Philip Sheridan's
May 1864 raids toward Richmond, Virginia and in the Battle of Trevilian Station
in June 1864. At the Battle of Haw's Shop
on May 28, 1864, Davies's saber was cut in half by a Minié ball and his horse's tail was shot off.
The brigade was involved in several engagements during the siege of Petersburg, including the defense of the Union position along the Vaughan Road against a much larger force during the Battle of Vaughan Road
, which was related to the larger Battle of Peebles' Farm
. Davies's brigade participated in raids on the Weldon Railroad in December 1864. Davies was wounded during the Battle of Hatcher's Run
on February 6, 1865. After Gregg's resignation in early February 1865, the brigade had temporary commanders, including Davies between March 14 and March 27, 1865. On March 8, 1865, President
Abraham Lincoln
nominated Davies for the award of the grade of brevet
major general of volunteers to rank from October 1, 1864 for his role in the Battle of Vaughan Road
during the Battle of Peebles' Farm. The U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 10, 1865.
On March 26, 1865, Major General George Crook
was appointed commander of the 2d Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac to replace Gregg. Davies's brigade was heavily engaged in cavalry operations, including those during the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
on March 31, 1865, that contributed to the Union breakthrough at Petersburg and the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond by the Confederates on the night of April 2, 1865. The brigade also was engaged in the Appomattox campaign
, including its role as the main Union force in the Battle of Amelia Springs
, Virginia in which the brigade, near Paineville, Virginia, destroyed about 200 wagons of a Confederate supply train, captured equipment and animals and took more than 300 and perhaps as many as 1,000 prisoners and several battle flags. The campaign ended with the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia
at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
A staff officer of Major General Crook, Major Henry E. Tremain, stated that Davies's men were "as fine a body of cavalry for their size as could be found in the service."
On June 7, 1865, Davies was appointed to the full substantive grade of major general of volunteers to rank from May 4, 1865. The promotion was not confirmed by the U. S. Senate, however, until February 23, 1866. Following the war, Davies stayed in the army briefly, but resigned on January 1, 1866 while commanding the military Middle District of Alabama.
General Davies died suddenly on September 7, 1894 while visiting friends in Middleboro, Massachusetts and was buried in St. Luke's Churchyard in Beacon, New York. He was survived by his wife and son.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier, writer, public official and lawyer. He served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
as a 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...
of volunteers in cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
service 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...
("Civil War") and was promoted to the grade of 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...
of volunteers at the end of the war. Davies was one of the few nonprofessional soldiers in the Union cavalry in the East to be promoted to the grade of general. He led his brigade in several major battles, especially during the Overland Campaign
Overland Campaign
The Overland Campaign, also known as Grant's Overland Campaign and the Wilderness Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Virginia during May and June 1864, in the American Civil War. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief of all Union armies, directed the actions of the Army of the...
, the Battle of Trevilian Station
Battle of Trevilian Station
The Battle of Trevilian Station was fought on June 11–12, 1864, in Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan fought against Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gens...
, the Siege of Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
and the Appomattox Campaign
Appomattox Campaign
The Appomattox Campaign was a series of battles fought March 29 – April 9, 1865, in Virginia that culminated in the surrender of Confederate General Robert E...
at the end of the war.
Early life
Henry Eugene Davies was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the eldest son of Judge Henry E. Davies
Henry E. Davies (judge)
Henry Ebenezer Davies was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1866 to 1867....
. He was educated at Harvard
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, Williams
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
, and Columbia
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
colleges, and was admitted to the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1857. On August 10, 1858, he married Julia Rich, daughter of John T. Rich and Julia Van Voorhies, at Fishkill-on-Hudson, New York. They had one son, Henry Eugene. Henry Davies was the nephew of Union Army 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...
and 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...
Thomas Alfred Davies
Thomas Alfred Davies
Thomas Alfred Davies was an American businessman, engineer, and soldier. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war Davies was a successful realtor as well as an author....
.
Civil War service
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Henry E. Davies became a captain of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment and fought in one of the first battles of the war, the Battle of Big BethelBattle of Big Bethel
The Battle of Big Bethel, also known as the Battle of Bethel Church or Great Bethel was one of the earliest land battles of the American Civil War after the surrender of Fort Sumter...
, Virginia on June 10, 1861. In August 1861, Davies was appointed 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...
of the 2nd New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The regiment was attached to Major General Irvin McDowell's
Irvin McDowell
Irvin McDowell was a career American army officer. He is best known for his defeat in the First Battle of Bull Run, the first large-scale battle of the American Civil War.-Early life:...
corps on the Rappahannock River
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...
line during the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
. The regiment was heavily engaged in the campaign of Second Manassas. Davies 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...
in December 1862 and 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...
in June 1863. In June 1863, the 2d New York Cavalry suffered heavy casualties at Beverly's Ford, Virginia during the Battle of Brandy Station
Battle of Brandy Station
The Battle of Brandy Station, also called the Battle of Fleetwood Hill, was the largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the American Civil War, as well as the largest to take place ever on American soil. It was fought at the beginning of the Gettysburg Campaign by the Union cavalry under Maj....
on June 9, 1863 and at the Battle of Aldie
Battle of Aldie
The Battle of Aldie took place on June 17, 1863, in Loudoun County, Virginia, as part of the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War.Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry screened Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate infantry as it marched north in the Shenandoah Valley behind the sheltering Blue...
, Virginia on June 17, 1863. The regiment was stationed at the Union Army supply base at Westminster, Maryland
Westminster, Maryland
Westminster is a city in northern Maryland, United States. It is the seat of Carroll County. The city's population was 18,590 at the 2010 census. Westminster is an outlying community within the Baltimore-Towson, MD MSA, which is part of a greater Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC-MD-VA-WV...
during the Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
.
Davies was appointed brigadier general of volunteers on September 16, 1863, although his appointment was not confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
until April 1, 1864. He served with distinction in the Cavalry Corps
Cavalry Corps (ACW)
Two corps of the Union Army were called Cavalry Corps during the American Civil War. One served with the Army of the Potomac; the other served in the various armies of the West.- Overview :...
, Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
in brigade and three brief periods of temporary division command until the end of the war. Davies was one of the few nonprofessional soldiers in the Union cavalry in the Eastern theater of the Civil War to be promoted to the grade of general.
Davies's brigade initially was the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac. In late 1863, the brigade participated in the inconclusive Bristoe Campaign
Bristoe Campaign
The Bristoe Campaign was a series of minor battles fought in Virginia during October and November 1863, in the American Civil War. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, commanding the Union Army of the Potomac, began to maneuver in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern...
. Before the Overland Campaign
Overland Campaign
The Overland Campaign, also known as Grant's Overland Campaign and the Wilderness Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Virginia during May and June 1864, in the American Civil War. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief of all Union armies, directed the actions of the Army of the...
, it became the 1st Brigade of the 2d Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac, commanded until early February 1865 by Brigadier General and later Brevet Major General David McMurtrie Gregg
David McMurtrie Gregg
David McMurtrie Gregg was a farmer, diplomat, and a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
. The brigade included the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry
1st New Jersey Cavalry
The 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry was a regiment from the U.S. state of New Jersey that participated in the American Civil War.Regiment lost during service 12 Officers and 116 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 185 Enlisted men by disease...
, the 10th New York Volunteer Cavalry, the 24th New York Volunteer Cavalry, five companies of the 1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry and Battery A of the 2d United States Artillery.
During the Overland Campaign, Davies's brigade participated in cavalry corps commander, Major General Philip Sheridan's
Philip Sheridan
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S...
May 1864 raids toward Richmond, Virginia and in the Battle of Trevilian Station
Battle of Trevilian Station
The Battle of Trevilian Station was fought on June 11–12, 1864, in Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan fought against Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gens...
in June 1864. At the Battle of Haw's Shop
Battle of Haw's Shop
The Battle of Haw's Shop or Enon Church was fought on May 28, 1864, in Hanover County, Virginia, as part of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign against Confederate Gen. Robert E...
on May 28, 1864, Davies's saber was cut in half by a Minié ball and his horse's tail was shot off.
The brigade was involved in several engagements during the siege of Petersburg, including the defense of the Union position along the Vaughan Road against a much larger force during the Battle of Vaughan Road
Battle of Vaughan Road
The Battle of Vaughan Road, also spelled "Vaughn", was an American Civil War engagement between Confederate States Army and Union Army cavalry forces protecting the flank of the main Union attack on Confederate positions on the western end of the Confederate line on October 1, 1864 during the...
, which was related to the larger Battle of Peebles' Farm
Battle of Peebles' Farm
The Battle of Peebles' Farm was the western part of a simultaneous Union offensive against the Confederate works guarding Petersburg and Richmond, during the Siege of Petersburg in the American Civil War.-Background:...
. Davies's brigade participated in raids on the Weldon Railroad in December 1864. Davies was wounded during the Battle of Hatcher's Run
Battle of Hatcher's Run
The Battle of Hatcher's Run, also known as Dabney's Mill, Armstrong's Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughn Road, fought February 5–7, 1865, was one in a series of Union offensives during the Siege of Petersburg, aimed at cutting off Confederate supply traffic on Boydton Plank Road and the Weldon...
on February 6, 1865. After Gregg's resignation in early February 1865, the brigade had temporary commanders, including Davies between March 14 and March 27, 1865. On March 8, 1865, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
nominated Davies for the award of the grade 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 of volunteers to rank from October 1, 1864 for his role in the Battle of Vaughan Road
Battle of Vaughan Road
The Battle of Vaughan Road, also spelled "Vaughn", was an American Civil War engagement between Confederate States Army and Union Army cavalry forces protecting the flank of the main Union attack on Confederate positions on the western end of the Confederate line on October 1, 1864 during the...
during the Battle of Peebles' Farm. The U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 10, 1865.
On March 26, 1865, Major General George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
was appointed commander of the 2d Cavalry Division of the Army of the Potomac to replace Gregg. Davies's brigade was heavily engaged in cavalry operations, including those during the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House was a minor engagement in the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War that was the immediate prelude to the decisive Battle of Five Forks. On March 29, 1865, with the Cavalry Corps and the II and V Corps of the Army of the Potomac, Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan...
on March 31, 1865, that contributed to the Union breakthrough at Petersburg and the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond by the Confederates on the night of April 2, 1865. The brigade also was engaged in the Appomattox campaign
Appomattox Campaign
The Appomattox Campaign was a series of battles fought March 29 – April 9, 1865, in Virginia that culminated in the surrender of Confederate General Robert E...
, including its role as the main Union force in the Battle of Amelia Springs
Battle of Amelia Springs
The Battle of Amelia Springs, Virginia was a minor engagement that occurred on April 5, 1865 during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War...
, Virginia in which the brigade, near Paineville, Virginia, destroyed about 200 wagons of a Confederate supply train, captured equipment and animals and took more than 300 and perhaps as many as 1,000 prisoners and several battle flags. The campaign ended with the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
A staff officer of Major General Crook, Major Henry E. Tremain, stated that Davies's men were "as fine a body of cavalry for their size as could be found in the service."
On June 7, 1865, Davies was appointed to the full substantive grade of major general of volunteers to rank from May 4, 1865. The promotion was not confirmed by the U. S. Senate, however, until February 23, 1866. Following the war, Davies stayed in the army briefly, but resigned on January 1, 1866 while commanding the military Middle District of Alabama.
Later life
General Henry E. Davies subsequently became a prominent New York lawyer and held the public offices of Public Administrator of the City of New York from January 1, 1866 to January 1, 1869 and Assistant District Attorney of the United States for the Southern District of New York from July, 1870 to January 1, 1873. He then returned to the private practice of law. He later moved to Beacon, New York. Davies was the author of Ten Days on the Plains (1871), Davies Memoir (1895 posthumous) and General Sheridan (1895 posthumous), in the "Great Commander Series."General Davies died suddenly on September 7, 1894 while visiting friends in Middleboro, Massachusetts and was buried in St. Luke's Churchyard in Beacon, New York. He was survived by his wife and son.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals