John Schuyler Crosby
Encyclopedia
John Schuyler Crosby was an American military officer who served as United States Consul
in Florence, Italy and as the fifth Governor of Montana Territory
.
on September 19, 1839. He attended City University of New York
, but left school before graduation to take a tour of South America, Pacific Islands
, East Indies
, and China.
At the beginning to the American Civil War
he joined the Union Army
and, having previous experience with the New York State Militia, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant
in the First Artillery. His initial service was with the Army of the Potomac
and he earned promotion to First Lieutenant
in August 1861. In 1862, Crosby was transferred to the Department of the Gulf and following the battles of Fort Bisland
, Irish Bend
and Vermillion Bayou
was brevetted
a Captain for gallantry. From 1863 till 1865 he served as assistant adjutant general
under General Banks. During the Red River Campaign
, Crosby earned a letter of thanks from President Abraham Lincoln
for carrying dispatches through enemy territory to Admiral Farragut. Following the capture of Mobile, Alabama
, Crosby transferred to become assistant inspector general
under General Philip Sheridan
.
Crosby married Harriet Van Rensselaer, youngest daughter of Henry Van Rensselaer
, on June 26, 1863. The marriage produced two children: Stephen and Angelica. Following the war, Crosby remained on the Sheridan's staff as aide-de-camp
and Adjutant General. In this capacity hew served along the Rio Grande
river during the French occupation of Mexico and during Sheridan's and Custer
's campaigns during the Indian Wars
. During his military service he was brevetted four times for gallantry. Crosby resigned from the army on January 1, 1871 as a brevet Lieutenant Colonel.
building breakwaters
and lighthouse
s. During this time he help found the Westchester Polo Club
and, in 1875, won an international pigeon-shooting contest. On July 20, 1876, Crosby was with Vice-Commodore William T. Garner of the New York Yacht Club
on the Mohawk when a sudden squall overturned the yacht. He was later presented a medal for his heroic efforts to save lives during the event.
Crosby was appointed Consul
for the United States delegation in Florence, Italy by President Ulysses S. Grant
in 1876. While at this posting, he assisted the local government in the capture and prosecution of a group of forgers
. For his assistance, on June 29, 1881, Crosby was awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy
.
by President Chester A. Arthur
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 4, 1882 and took office on January 15, 1883.
Upon his arrival, Crosby indicated his commitment to the territory by making over US$20,000 of investments within Montana. Despite this level of dedication, the Republican governor still managed to antagonize the territory's Democratic majority through liberal use of his veto power. The most important example of his veto use was through the blocking of a bill authorizing the establishment of a system of cattle inspections and a cattle commission. Despite the veto, Crosby did take steps to halt cattle with Texas fever
from being imported into the territory. Other activities pursued by the governor were a strong anti-crime policy, opposition to polygamy
, and an effort to reduce lands held by Native Americans
. He also played an important role in blocking cattle interests from gaining control of Yellowstone
.
Crosby was an avid big game hunter
. In this capacity, while governor, he organized one of the largest big game hunts in U.S. history, including dignitaries such as President Arthur, Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln
, Senator George Graham Vest
, and Daniel G. Rollins
in the hunting party. Crosby submitted his resignation on November 11, 1884 in order to become First Assistant Postmaster General.
, Loyal Legion
, Sons of the Revolution, and a variety of Washington D.C. and New York City social clubs.
During his final years, Crosby suffered from declining health. On January 20, 1913, while he was in his sick bed, one of his servants suddenly became crazed and he was forced to fight off and subdue the knife wielding valet. Crosby died in Newport, Rhode Island
on August 8, 1914.
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
in Florence, Italy and as the fifth Governor of Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
.
Early life and military service
Cospby was born to Clarkson Floyd and Angelica (Schuyker) Crosby in Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
on September 19, 1839. He attended City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
, but left school before graduation to take a tour of South America, Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
, East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
, and China.
At the beginning to 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...
he joined 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...
and, having previous experience with the New York State Militia, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the First Artillery. His initial service was with the 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...
and he earned promotion to First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
in August 1861. In 1862, Crosby was transferred to the Department of the Gulf and following the battles of Fort Bisland
Battle of Fort Bisland
-Sources:* Ayres, Thomas, Dark and Bloody Ground : The Battle of Mansfield and the Forgotten Civil War in Louisiana, Cooper Square Press, 2001.* Parrish, T. Michael, Richard Taylor, Soldier Prince of Dixie, University of North Carolina Press, 1992....
, Irish Bend
Battle of Irish Bend
The Battle of Irish Bend, also known as Nerson's Woods or Franklin, was fought between Union Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks against Confederate Major General Richard Taylor during Banks's operations against the Bayou Teche region near Franklin, the seat of St...
and Vermillion Bayou
Battle of Vermillion Bayou
The Battle of Vermillion Bayou was fought on April 17, 1863, the third battle in a series of running battles between Union Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks and Confederate Major General Richard Taylor...
was brevetted
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...
a Captain for gallantry. From 1863 till 1865 he served as assistant adjutant general
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
under General Banks. During the Red River Campaign
Red River Campaign
The Red River Campaign or Red River Expedition consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red River in Louisiana during the American Civil War from March 10 to May 22, 1864. The campaign was a Union initiative, fought between approximately 30,000 Union troops under the command of Maj. Gen....
, Crosby earned a letter of thanks from President 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...
for carrying dispatches through enemy territory to Admiral Farragut. Following the capture of Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, Crosby transferred to become assistant inspector general
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
under General Philip Sheridan
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...
.
Crosby married Harriet Van Rensselaer, youngest daughter of Henry Van Rensselaer
Henry Van Rensselaer
Henry Bell Van Rensselaer was a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War, and a politician who served in the United States Congress as a Representative from the state of New York.-Biography:...
, on June 26, 1863. The marriage produced two children: Stephen and Angelica. Following the war, Crosby remained on the Sheridan's staff as aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
and Adjutant General. In this capacity hew served along the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
river during the French occupation of Mexico and during Sheridan's and Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
's campaigns during the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. During his military service he was brevetted four times for gallantry. Crosby resigned from the army on January 1, 1871 as a brevet Lieutenant Colonel.
Italy
After leaving the military, Crosby went to work as a civil engineerCivil 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...
building breakwaters
Breakwater (structure)
Breakwaters are structures constructed on coasts as part of coastal defence or to protect an anchorage from the effects of weather and longshore drift.-Purposes of breakwaters:...
and lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
s. During this time he help found the Westchester Polo Club
Westchester Polo Club
The Westchester Polo Club was the first formal American polo club. It was established in the spring of 1876. Events were held at the Jerome Park Racetrack in New York. The club was responsible for the International Polo Cup. The club moved to Newport, Rhode Island....
and, in 1875, won an international pigeon-shooting contest. On July 20, 1876, Crosby was with Vice-Commodore William T. Garner of the New York Yacht Club
New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
on the Mohawk when a sudden squall overturned the yacht. He was later presented a medal for his heroic efforts to save lives during the event.
Crosby was appointed Consul
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
for the United States delegation in Florence, Italy by President 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...
in 1876. While at this posting, he assisted the local government in the capture and prosecution of a group of forgers
Forgery
Forgery is the process of making, adapting, or imitating objects, statistics, or documents with the intent to deceive. Copies, studio replicas, and reproductions are not considered forgeries, though they may later become forgeries through knowing and willful misrepresentations. Forging money or...
. For his assistance, on June 29, 1881, Crosby was awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy
Order of the Crown of Italy
The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861...
.
Governorship
Crosby was nominated to become Governor of Montana TerritoryMontana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
by President Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
. He was 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...
on August 4, 1882 and took office on January 15, 1883.
Upon his arrival, Crosby indicated his commitment to the territory by making over US$20,000 of investments within Montana. Despite this level of dedication, the Republican governor still managed to antagonize the territory's Democratic majority through liberal use of his veto power. The most important example of his veto use was through the blocking of a bill authorizing the establishment of a system of cattle inspections and a cattle commission. Despite the veto, Crosby did take steps to halt cattle with Texas fever
Texas Fever
Texas Fever is a 1984 mini-album released by the Scottish post-punk band Orange Juice. This mini-album has been re-issued on CD, but is currently out-of-print.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Edwyn Collins; except where indicated# "Bridge" - 3:38...
from being imported into the territory. Other activities pursued by the governor were a strong anti-crime policy, opposition to polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
, and an effort to reduce lands held by Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
. He also played an important role in blocking cattle interests from gaining control of Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
.
Crosby was an avid big game hunter
Big game hunting
Big game hunting is the hunting of large game. The term is historically associated with the hunting of Africa's Big Five game , and with tigers and rhinos on the Indian subcontinent. In North America, animals such as bears and bison were hunted...
. In this capacity, while governor, he organized one of the largest big game hunts in U.S. history, including dignitaries such as President Arthur, Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was an American lawyer and Secretary of War, and the first son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln...
, Senator George Graham Vest
George Graham Vest
George Graham Vest was a U.S. politician. Born in Frankfort, Kentucky, he was known for his skills in oration and debate. Vest, a lawyer as well as a politician, served as a Missouri Congressman, a Confederate Congressman during the Civil War, and finally a US Senator...
, and Daniel G. Rollins
Daniel G. Rollins
Daniel Gustavus Rollins was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:...
in the hunting party. Crosby submitted his resignation on November 11, 1884 in order to become First Assistant Postmaster General.
Later life
Crosby held the position of First Assistant Postmaster General until March 1886. After leaving that post he moved to New York City where, from 1889 till 1891 he was the city's school commissioner. After completing his school job, Crosby traveled extensively until 1897. He was also active in the Grand Army of the RepublicGrand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
, Loyal Legion
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, also known by its acronym MOLLUS or simply as the Loyal Legion, is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by officers of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States who "had aided in maintaining the honor,...
, Sons of the Revolution, and a variety of Washington D.C. and New York City social clubs.
During his final years, Crosby suffered from declining health. On January 20, 1913, while he was in his sick bed, one of his servants suddenly became crazed and he was forced to fight off and subdue the knife wielding valet. Crosby died in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
on August 8, 1914.