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bountyhunter -> Bios for Blunt, Boggs, Bohlen, Bonham and Bowen (12/14/2006 6:39:30 PM)
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Blunt,_J.G. (1826-1881) A Maine-born Kansas doctor, Major General James Gillpatrick Blunt had long been active in the conflict over slavery in his adopted state. An ally of the martyred John Brown, he was involved with some irregular military units early in the war before being accepted into the national service as a brigadier general in April, 1862. His battle credits in the Trans-Mississippi area include being in overall command at Old Fort Wayne and Cane Hill and serving at Prairie Grove, Honey Springs and in defense of Missouri during Price’s 1864 invasion. All of his commands were at district and department level in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. He was mustered out in July, 1865 and resumed his Kansas medical practice before serving with the government in Washington. Prior to his death he was confined for insanity.
Leadership: 3
Tactical: 4
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry: 0
Boggs,_W.R. (1829-1911) Georgia born Brigadier General William Robertson Boggs graduated from West Point in 1853. He initially served in the topographical engineers and ordinance department of US Army before resigning as a first lieutenant in February 1861 in order to join the Confederate Army. He never held a field command during the war as all of his assignments were of engineers or artillery in Georgia, Florida and the Trans-Mississippi Department. Entering Confederate service in Charleston, SC he was soon transfered to Pensacola, FL and served as Bragg’s artillery and engineering chief before resigning in late 1861 to become the chief engineer for the state of Georgia. On November 4, 1862 he reentered Confederate service as a brigadier general. He was sent west of the Mississippi in March 1863 serving as E.K. Smith’s chief of staff for the duration of the war. After the war he was a civil engineer in Georgia and later St. Louis, MO. From 1875-1881 he taught mechanics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He then retired to Winston-Salem, N.C.
Leadership: 3
Tactical: 3
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry: 0
Bohlen,_H. (1810-1862) German-born liquor merchant in Philadelphia Brigadier General Henry Bohlen had the misfortune of serving under poor officers eventually costing him his life. Based upon alleged Mexican War service he was able to obtain the colonelcy of a local German regiment and ultimately brigade command in the Army of the Potomac. Taking part in the campaign against Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, he fought at Cross Keys. When the Mountain Department was merged into Pope’s Army of Virginia, Bohlen started on his last campaign, that of 2nd Bull Run. After covering the withdrawal from Cedar Mountain in early August 1862 he participated in the maneuvering in Northern Virginia. On August 22, 1862 he was ordered to make a reconnaissance across the Rappahannock at Freeman’s Ford to determine the enemy’s intentions. Useless and extremely hazardous in the face of Jackson’s command it was undertaken and Bohlen was cut down while trying to re-cross the river.
Leadership: 4
Tactical: 3
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry: 0
Bonham,_M.l. (1813-1890) South Carolina lawyer Milledge Luke Bonham rose to the rank of Brigadier General in Confederate service and major general in state service and made the transition from politics to military life twice during the war. Although not a West Point graduate he had military experience commanding a company of volunteers in the Seminole War and a regular regiment in Mexico. After serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1857-1860, Bonham was sent to Mississippi by the state legislature to obtain the cooperation of that state in secession. He assumed command of Morris Island following the bombardment of Fort Sumter. In May of 1861 he went to Virginia and commanded the Alexandria defenses until Beauregard arrived. He was the senior officer present during the fighting at Fairfax Court House and later commanded a South Carolina brigade at 1st Bull Run. He served under Longstreet and Van Dorn before resigning in January 1862 after being slighted over seniority matters and was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives. He resigned in January 1863 and was elected Governor of South Carolina serving until he was reappointed a brigadier general in February, 1865. He commanded a cavalry brigade under Johnston in the Carolinas Campaign. After the surrender he resumed the life of a lawyer and planter.
Leadership: 4
Tactical: 3
Initiative: 3
Command: 4
Cavalry: 3
Bowen,_J.(1808-1886) A railroader and civic leader in New York, Brigadier General James Bowen was head of the first city board of police commissioners in 1855. As a result of his recruiting efforts in his home state he was appointed a brigadier general in 1862 serving as provost marshal of the Department of the Gulf. Due to his age he spent the entire war in staff assignments. He was caught up in Nathaniel Banks’ disaster in the Red River Campaign of 1864. Relieved of duty shortly thereafter, he resigned in July 1864, but received a brevet of major general the next year. After the war he resumed his civic activities.
Leadership: 3
Tactical: 3
Initiative: 3
Command: 3
Cavalry: 0
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