Thomas Jesup
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General
Thomas Sidney Jesup, USA
(December 16, 1788 – June 10, 1860) was an American
military officer known as the "Father of the Modern Quartermaster Corps". He was born in Berkeley County
, West Virginia
. He began his military career in 1808, and served in the War of 1812
, seeing action in the battles of Chippewa
and Lundy's Lane
in 1814, where he was wounded. He was appointed temporary Adjutant General and Quartermaster General on May 8, 1818 by President James Monroe
.
In 1836, while Jesup was still officially Quartermaster General, President Jackson detached him first to deal with the Creek
tribe in Georgia
and Alabama
, and then to assume command of all U.S. troops in Florida
during the Second Seminole War
(1837-1842). His actions in violating truces to capture Seminole
leaders, such as Osceola
, provoked controversy. At the conclusion of the hostilities, Jesup returned to his official post.
During the Mexican-American War, Jesup traveled from his headquarters in Washington, D.C.
to oversee the supplying of troops in Mexico. He served as Quartermaster General for 42 years, holding the record for the longest continual service in the same position in U.S. military history. He died in office in Washington, D.C. at age 72.
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...
Thomas Sidney Jesup, USA
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
(December 16, 1788 – June 10, 1860) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military officer known as the "Father of the Modern Quartermaster Corps". He was born in Berkeley County
Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County is a county located in the Eastern Panhandle region of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population is 104,169, making it the second-most populous county in West Virginia, behind Kanawha...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. He began his military career in 1808, and served in the 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...
, seeing action in the battles of Chippewa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
and Lundy's Lane
Battle of Lundy's Lane
The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario...
in 1814, where he was wounded. He was appointed temporary Adjutant General and Quartermaster General on May 8, 1818 by President James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
.
In 1836, while Jesup was still officially Quartermaster General, President Jackson detached him first to deal with the Creek
Creek people
The Muscogee , also known as the Creek or Creeks, are a Native American people traditionally from the southeastern United States. Mvskoke is their name in traditional spelling. The modern Muscogee live primarily in Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida...
tribe in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, and then to assume command of all U.S. troops in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
during the Second Seminole War
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
(1837-1842). His actions in violating truces to capture Seminole
Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
leaders, such as Osceola
Osceola
Osceola, also known as Billy Powell , became an influential leader with the Seminole in Florida. He was of Creek, Scots-Irish and English parentage, and had migrated to Florida with his mother after the defeat of the Creek in 1814.Osceola led a small band of warriors in the Seminole resistance...
, provoked controversy. At the conclusion of the hostilities, Jesup returned to his official post.
During the Mexican-American War, Jesup traveled from his headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to oversee the supplying of troops in Mexico. He served as Quartermaster General for 42 years, holding the record for the longest continual service in the same position in U.S. military history. He died in office in Washington, D.C. at age 72.
Legacy and honors
- Jesup, GeorgiaJesup, GeorgiaJesup is a city in Wayne County, Georgia, United States. The population was 9,279 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Wayne County.-Geography:Jesup is located at ....
, Lake JesupLake JesupLake Jesup is one of the largest lakes in Central Florida, one of many that make up the St. Johns River. Located in the heart of Seminole County along the middle basin of the St. Johns, the lake encompasses an area of approximately 16,000 acres , including open water and floodplain...
, Florida, and Fort Jesup, Louisiana were named in his honor. - 1976, Jesup was inducted into the Quartermaster Hall of Fame.