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Granger kommt mit dem Reservekorps an am 2. Tag der Schlacht
von Chickamauga, eine Sternstunde der US-Geschichte
Granger arriva con la riserva il pomeriggio della
2°
giornata della battaglia diChickamauga - un momento chiave della storia
americana
Granger arrive avec la réserve l'après-midi
du 2° jour de la bataille de Chickamauga - un moment clés de
l'histoire américaine
Granger komt met de reserve de tweede daag van
de slag bij Chickamauga an - een belissend moment van de US-geschiedenis
Gordon Granger was born of Gaius and Catherine Granger in
Joy, New York on 6 Nov. 1822. After graduating from West Point in 1845
(35th out of 41), he fought in the Mexican War under Winfield Scott and
earned two brevets. He then served on the frontier and promoted to first
lieutenant in 1852. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was promoted
to captain and fought at Wilson's Creek, Missouri in August 1861. Afterward
he was promoted to colonel and in March 1862 to brigadier general. He commanded
the cavalry in the campaign against New Madrid and Island No. 10, and in
Halleck's advance on Corinth. In September 1862 he was appointed major
general and held independant command in Kentucky for nearly a year. At
Chickamauga, Tennessee, in September 1863 he commanded the reserve corps,
sometimes called the Army of Kentucky, under William S. Rosecrans. Granger's
reinforcement of Thomas on Snodgrass Hill the afternoon  of
20 Sept. 1863 saved the Union forces from disaster. Although he engaged
in other battles around Chattanooga, helped in the relief of Knoxville,
and took part in the capture of Mobile, his abrasive personality had got
him on the wrong side of Grant who hindered Granger's further advancement.
He is described as having been "outspoken and rough in manner, kindly and
sympathetic at heart...[His] independence occasionally came near to insubordination,
and at odrinary times he lacked energy." He was another "difficult" person
from whom Thomas was able to get good work, along with Baldy Smith and
Jeff C. Davis.
Granger assumed command of the Department of Texas on 10 June 1865 under Sheridan, then commander of the Military Division of the Southwest. Upon his arrival in Galveston he declared that the institution of slavery was dead, setting off joyful displays by Texas freedmen. He instituted a punitive policicy against former Confederate officials and counseled blacks to remain on the plantations and to sign labor agreements with their former owners while awaiting further assistance from the Freedmen's Bureau which had not yet been established in the state. After six weeks of apparently upsetting too many apple carts, he was relieved of his command. In 1869 Granger married Maria Letcher, daughter of a Lexington, Kentucky, physician. His most important assignment after leaving Texas was to command the District of New Mexico (1871-76). He resided in Santa Fe until his death, on 10 January 1876. |