Theophilus T. Garrard
Encyclopedia
Theophilus Toulmin Garrard (June 7, 1812 – March 15, 1902) was a politician, Union
general in the American Civil War
, farmer, and businessman.
near Manchester
at the Goose Creek Salt Works (later Union Salt Works) to Colonel Daniel Garrard (1780–1886) and Lucinda Jane Toulmin (1790–1849). He was a grandson of Kentucky Governor James Garrard
and cousin of Israel Garrard, Jeptha Garrard, and Kenner Garrard
. Garrard attended Centre College
in Danville, Kentucky
.
On March 26, 1832, Garrard married Nancy Brawner, who died on March 31, just five days after their wedding. He then married Lucinda "Lucy" Burnham Lees on March 9, 1849; together they had eleven children, six boys and five girls.
Garrard ran for office in the Kentucky House of Representatives
in 1841 and 1842, but was defeated both times. He ran again in 1843, beating his opponent General Elijah Combs. He was reelected in 1844 with no opposition.
During the Mexican-American War he served as a captain of Company E, 16th U.S. Infantry, from March 5, 1847 until August 5, 1849, but never saw combat. Four companies, Garrard's included, were stationed at Cerralvo, Mexico
on the Rio Grande
, with the remaining six companies at Monterrey. Garrard stated, "I think the 8 months I stayed there were the most pleasant part of my life. The Mexicans were fond of us. We had no trouble with them. The climate was pleasant and everything went well."
Garrard left Kentucky in 1849 to seek his fortune in the California Gold Rush
, but returned to Kentucky in 1850, not having found a fortune. He won a seat in the Kentucky Senate
in 1857 and resigned in 1859 to run for the United States Congress, but was defeated by Green Adams
. He was elected again to the Kentucky Senate on August 4, 1861, but declined to serve as he had received his commission as colonel July 27, 1861.
Although a staunch Unionist, Garrard was a slave owner. The 1840 U.S. Census shows that he owned 11 slaves. By 1860, his total worth was $20,000 (over $694,000 in 2007 dollars), and he owned nine slaves thus making him the sixth wealthiest citizen of Clay County.
Garrard was authorized to raise a regiment of infantry. Garrard personally recruited eight companies: two from Clay County, two from Laurel County
, two from Knox County
, and two from Whitley County
. He was appointed colonel
of the 7th Kentucky Infantry
on September 22, 1861.
He commanded the 7th Kentucky Infantry at the Battle of Camp Wildcat
, during the Cumberland Gap Campaign, and a detachment of men at the Battle of Perryville
from the 7th Kentucky, 32nd Kentucky Infantry
, and 3rd Tennessee Infantry
who had escaped the Battle of Richmond. Garrard remained with the 7th Kentucky until winter 1862 when he was assigned to the staff of Brigadier General Samuel P. Carter
.
Garrard was promoted to brigadier general
to date from November 29, 1862, and ordered to report to Major General Benjamin M. Prentiss at Helena, Arkansas
. He then commanded the District of Somerset
, which included four other nearby towns, August 1863-January 17, 1864; this command was broken into the Subdistrict of Somerset, which he also commanded November 6-December 1863. On January 17, 1864, he was placed in command of the District of the Clinch
, a mixed brigade of infantry and cavalry, posted at Cumberland Gap
.
For reasons that are still unknown, Garrard was honorably mustered out of the service on April 4, 1864. His discharge may have been due to loss of central vision in his left eye which occurred in late March 1863.
is named in his honor.
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...
general in 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...
, farmer, and businessman.
Early life and career
Garrard was born in Clay County, KentuckyClay County, Kentucky
- Demographics :As of the census of 2011, there were 21,000 people, 8,556 households, and 6,442 families residing in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile . There were 9,439 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
near Manchester
Manchester, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,738 people, 778 households, and 455 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,148.4 people per square mile . There were 844 housing units at an average density of 557.7 per square mile...
at the Goose Creek Salt Works (later Union Salt Works) to Colonel Daniel Garrard (1780–1886) and Lucinda Jane Toulmin (1790–1849). He was a grandson of Kentucky Governor James Garrard
James Garrard
James Garrard was an American soldier who served as the second Governor of Kentucky from 1796 to 1804. He was also a Baptist minister, but his secretary of state, Unitarian minister Henry Toulmin, influenced him to adopt Socinianism...
and cousin of Israel Garrard, Jeptha Garrard, and Kenner Garrard
Kenner Garrard
Kenner Garrard was a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. A member of one of Ohio's most prominent military families, he performed well at the Battle of Gettysburg, and then led a cavalry division in the army of Major General William T. Sherman during the Atlanta...
. Garrard attended Centre College
Centre College
Centre College is a private liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky, USA, a community of approximately 16,000 in Boyle County south of Lexington, KY. Centre is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution. Centre was founded by Presbyterian leaders, with whom it maintains a loose...
in Danville, Kentucky
Danville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
.
On March 26, 1832, Garrard married Nancy Brawner, who died on March 31, just five days after their wedding. He then married Lucinda "Lucy" Burnham Lees on March 9, 1849; together they had eleven children, six boys and five girls.
Garrard ran for office in the Kentucky House of Representatives
Kentucky House of Representatives
The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form a House district, except when necessary to preserve...
in 1841 and 1842, but was defeated both times. He ran again in 1843, beating his opponent General Elijah Combs. He was reelected in 1844 with no opposition.
During the Mexican-American War he served as a captain of Company E, 16th U.S. Infantry, from March 5, 1847 until August 5, 1849, but never saw combat. Four companies, Garrard's included, were stationed at Cerralvo, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on 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...
, with the remaining six companies at Monterrey. Garrard stated, "I think the 8 months I stayed there were the most pleasant part of my life. The Mexicans were fond of us. We had no trouble with them. The climate was pleasant and everything went well."
Garrard left Kentucky in 1849 to seek his fortune in the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
, but returned to Kentucky in 1850, not having found a fortune. He won a seat in the Kentucky Senate
Kentucky Senate
The Kentucky Senate is the upper house of the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. There are no term limits for Kentucky Senators...
in 1857 and resigned in 1859 to run for the United States Congress, but was defeated by Green Adams
Green Adams
Green Adams was a lawyer and member and functionary of the United States Congress. He was born in Barbourville, Kentucky in 1812.-Biography:...
. He was elected again to the Kentucky Senate on August 4, 1861, but declined to serve as he had received his commission as colonel July 27, 1861.
Although a staunch Unionist, Garrard was a slave owner. The 1840 U.S. Census shows that he owned 11 slaves. By 1860, his total worth was $20,000 (over $694,000 in 2007 dollars), and he owned nine slaves thus making him the sixth wealthiest citizen of Clay County.
Civil War
At the outbreak of the Civil WarAmerican 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...
Garrard was authorized to raise a regiment of infantry. Garrard personally recruited eight companies: two from Clay County, two from Laurel County
Laurel County, Kentucky
Laurel County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 58,849 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is London.The London Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Laurel County....
, two from Knox County
Knox County, Kentucky
Knox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 31,795. Its county seat is Barbourville. The county is named for General Henry Knox...
, and two from Whitley County
Whitley County, Kentucky
Whitley County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. 2005 census projections list its population at 38,029 . The county seat is at Williamsburg, though the largest city is Corbin, and the county's District Court sits in both cities...
. He was appointed 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...
of the 7th Kentucky Infantry
7th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
The 7th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 7th Kentucky Infantry was organized at Camp Dick Robinson and mustered in for a three year enlistment on September 22, 1861...
on September 22, 1861.
He commanded the 7th Kentucky Infantry at the Battle of Camp Wildcat
Battle of Camp Wildcat
The Battle of Camp Wildcat was one of the early engagements of the American Civil War. It occurred October 21, 1861, in northern Laurel County, Kentucky during the campaign known as the Kentucky Confederate Offensive...
, during the Cumberland Gap Campaign, and a detachment of men at the Battle of Perryville
Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
from the 7th Kentucky, 32nd Kentucky Infantry
32nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
The 32nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 32nd Kentucky Infantry was organized at Frankfort and Camp Burnside, Kentucky and mustered in for a three year enlistment in August 1862 under the command...
, and 3rd Tennessee Infantry
3rd Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry
The 3rd Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 3rd Tennessee Infantry was organized at Flat Lick, Kentucky from December 1861 through January 1862 and mustered in for a three year enlistment.The...
who had escaped the Battle of Richmond. Garrard remained with the 7th Kentucky until winter 1862 when he was assigned to the staff of Brigadier General Samuel P. Carter
Samuel P. Carter
Samuel Perry "Powhatan" Carter was a United States naval officer who served in the Union Army as a brevet major general during the American Civil War and became a rear admiral in the postbellum United States Navy. He was the first and thusfar only United States officer to have been commissioned...
.
Garrard was promoted to 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...
to date from November 29, 1862, and ordered to report to Major General Benjamin M. Prentiss at Helena, Arkansas
Helena, Arkansas
Helena is the eastern portion of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a city in Phillips County, Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, this portion of the city population was 6,323. Helena was the county seat of Phillips County until January 1, 2006, when it merged its government and city limits with...
. He then commanded the District of Somerset
Somerset, Kentucky
The major demographic differences between the city and the micropolitan area relate to income, housing composition and age. The micropolitan area, as compared to the incorporated city, is more suburban in flavor and has a significantly younger housing stock, a higher income, and contains most of...
, which included four other nearby towns, August 1863-January 17, 1864; this command was broken into the Subdistrict of Somerset, which he also commanded November 6-December 1863. On January 17, 1864, he was placed in command of the District of the Clinch
Clinch River
The Clinch River rises in Southwest Virginia near Tazewell, Virginia and flows southwest through the Great Appalachian Valley, gathering various tributaries including the Powell River before joining the Tennessee River in East Tennessee.-Course:...
, a mixed brigade of infantry and cavalry, posted at Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap is a pass through the Cumberland Mountains region of the Appalachian Mountains, also known as the Cumberland Water Gap, at the juncture of the U.S. states of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia...
.
For reasons that are still unknown, Garrard was honorably mustered out of the service on April 4, 1864. His discharge may have been due to loss of central vision in his left eye which occurred in late March 1863.
Later life
Garrard spent the remainder of his life in Clay County farming and operating the Union Salt Works, which he rebuilt after they were burned by Union soldiers during the war. He died on March 15, 1902 in the same home in which he was born. Garrard is buried in the family cemetery at Garrard, Kentucky.Honors
The Brigadier General Theophilus T. Garrard Camp #4, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil WarSons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is an American fraternal organization, the legal successor to the Grand Army of the Republic . Founded in late 1881, it was originally one of several competing organizations of descendants of Union veterans...
is named in his honor.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
External links
- Garrard's account of his Civil War service
- Garrard Camp #4, SUVCW
- 7th Kentucky, Inc. - a living history organization; includes unit history, biographical information, and military records
- Alphabetical roster of the 7th Kentucky taken from Thomas Speed's Union Regiments of Kentucky