George B. Cosby
Encyclopedia
George Blake Cosby was a Confederate States Army
brigadier general during the American Civil War
. He was an 1852 graduate of the United States Military Academy
and served in the United States Army
until May 10, 1861. In his antebellum years, he was a farmer in California
, a sutler in Oregon
and held several government positions.
. He graduated 17th of 43 in the 1852 class of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York
. He was assigned as a brevet
second lieutenant to the U.S. Mounted Rifle Regiment on July 1, 1852 and was appointed a full second lieutenant on September 16, 1852. Cosby was wounded fighting Native Americans
(Indians) at Lake Trinidad, Texas on May 9, 1854. Cosby transferred to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment on March 3, 1855. He was promoted to first lieutenant on May 1, 1856 and to captain on May 8, 1861. He taught cavalry tactics at West Point before his resignation to join the Confederate States Army
. Cosby resigned on May 10, 1861 in order to join the Confederate Army.
of the Confederate States. On June 20, 1861, he was promoted to major with the same duties. He also became assistant adjutant general of the Army of the Peninsula until the following month. Between November 9, 1861 and February 16, 1861, he was assistant adjutant general and chief of staff for Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner. As such, Cosby brought the note that opened negotiations for the surrender
of Fort Donelson
, Tennessee, on February 16, 1862, from Brigadier General Buckner to Union Brigadier General
Ulysses S. Grant
. Cosby was captured as a result of the surrender of the Fort Donelson. He was not exchanged until August 15, 1862.
Upon his return to duty in August 1862, Cosby was appointed colonel of cavalry. In October, 1862, he was appointed chief of staff of the Army of Mississippi
and on December 23, 1862, chief of staff for the District of the Gulf, Department No. 2. Cosby was promoted to brigadier general on January 20, 1863 and given command of a cavalry
brigade in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. In February and March, 1863, his brigade was assigned to the Army of Tennessee
. They served under General Joseph E. Johnston
in the campaign around Jackson, Mississippi
which was planned to relieve the Siege of Vicksburg. In March 1863, Cosby's brigade was assigned to the division of Brigadier General William H. Jackson
in the Army of Mississippi and then to the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. The brigade was assigned to Major General Earl Van Dorn
in August and September, 1863, then returned to the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, which became the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. While under Van Dorn's command, Cosby fought in the Battle of Thompson's Station
, Tennessee.
In February 1864, Cosby and his brigade were assigned to the Department of Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee until September 1864, when they were assigned to the Department of West Virginia and East Tennessee until the end of the war. Cosby had between 2,000 and 4,000 men under his command at various times during this assignment. Cosby was paroled in Kentucky in May, 1865. He had disbanded his men when he heard about the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia
.
where he was a farmer. For a period of time, he also was a sutler in Oregon. He held several government positions, including Secretary of the Board of State Engineers and member of the West Point Board of Visitors.
General Cosby committed suicide on June 29, 1909 at Oakland, California
, allegedly due to continuing pain from his old war wounds. George Blake Cosby was buried in the City Cemetery
, Sacramento, California
.
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
brigadier general during 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 was an 1852 graduate of the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
and served in the United States Army
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...
until May 10, 1861. In his antebellum years, he was a farmer in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, a sutler in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and held several government positions.
Early life
George Blake Cosby was born on January 19, 1830 in Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. He graduated 17th of 43 in the 1852 class of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
. He was assigned as a brevet
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...
second lieutenant to the U.S. Mounted Rifle Regiment on July 1, 1852 and was appointed a full second lieutenant on September 16, 1852. Cosby was wounded fighting 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...
(Indians) at Lake Trinidad, Texas on May 9, 1854. Cosby transferred to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment on March 3, 1855. He was promoted to first lieutenant on May 1, 1856 and to captain on May 8, 1861. He taught cavalry tactics at West Point before his resignation to join the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
. Cosby resigned on May 10, 1861 in order to join the Confederate Army.
American Civil War
On May 16, 1861, George B. Cosby was appointed captain and assistant adjutant general in the regular armyRegular army
A regular army consists of the permanent force of a country's army that is maintained under arms during peacetime.Countries that use the term include:*Australian Army*British Army*Canadian Forces, specifically "Regular Force"*Egyptian army*Indian Army...
of the Confederate States. On June 20, 1861, he was promoted to major with the same duties. He also became assistant adjutant general of the Army of the Peninsula until the following month. Between November 9, 1861 and February 16, 1861, he was assistant adjutant general and chief of staff for Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner. As such, Cosby brought the note that opened negotiations for the surrender
Battle of Fort Donelson
The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11 to February 16, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The capture of the fort by Union forces opened the Cumberland River as an avenue for the invasion of the South. The success elevated Brig. Gen. Ulysses S...
of Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson was a fortress built by the Confederacy during the American Civil War to control the Cumberland River leading to the heart of Tennessee, and the heart of the Confederacy.-History:...
, Tennessee, on February 16, 1862, from Brigadier General Buckner to Union 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...
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...
. Cosby was captured as a result of the surrender of the Fort Donelson. He was not exchanged until August 15, 1862.
Upon his return to duty in August 1862, Cosby was appointed colonel of cavalry. In October, 1862, he was appointed chief of staff of the Army of Mississippi
Army of Mississippi
There were three organizations known as the Army of Mississippi in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. -Army of Mississippi :This army, at times known by the names Army of the West or Army of the...
and on December 23, 1862, chief of staff for the District of the Gulf, Department No. 2. Cosby was promoted to brigadier general on January 20, 1863 and given command of a cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
brigade in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. In February and March, 1863, his brigade was assigned to the Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
. They served under General Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph Eggleston Johnston was a career U.S. Army officer, serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War and Seminole Wars, and was also one of the most senior general officers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
in the campaign around Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
which was planned to relieve the Siege of Vicksburg. In March 1863, Cosby's brigade was assigned to the division of Brigadier General William H. Jackson
William H. Jackson
William H. Jackson may refer to:* William Harding Jackson , U.S. National Security Advisor, 1956* William Henry Jackson , early photographer of the American West* William Hicks Jackson , Confederate general from Tennessee...
in the Army of Mississippi and then to the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. The brigade was assigned to Major General Earl Van Dorn
Earl Van Dorn
Earl Van Dorn was a career United States Army officer, fighting with distinction during the Mexican-American War and against several tribes of Native Americans...
in August and September, 1863, then returned to the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, which became the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. While under Van Dorn's command, Cosby fought in the Battle of Thompson's Station
Battle of Thompson's Station
The Battle of Thompson's Station was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on March 5, 1863 in Williamson County, Tennessee.In a period of relative inactivity following the Battle of Stones River, a reinforced Union infantry brigade, under Col. John Coburn, left Franklin to reconnoiter...
, Tennessee.
In February 1864, Cosby and his brigade were assigned to the Department of Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee until September 1864, when they were assigned to the Department of West Virginia and East Tennessee until the end of the war. Cosby had between 2,000 and 4,000 men under his command at various times during this assignment. Cosby was paroled in Kentucky in May, 1865. He had disbanded his men when he heard about the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
.
Aftermath
After the Civil War, Cosby moved to Butte County, CaliforniaButte County, California
Butte County is a county located in the Central Valley of the US state of California, north of the state capital of Sacramento. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 220,000. The county seat is Oroville. Butte County is the "Land of Natural Wealth and Beauty."Butte County is watered by the...
where he was a farmer. For a period of time, he also was a sutler in Oregon. He held several government positions, including Secretary of the Board of State Engineers and member of the West Point Board of Visitors.
General Cosby committed suicide on June 29, 1909 at Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, allegedly due to continuing pain from his old war wounds. George Blake Cosby was buried in the City Cemetery
Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
The Sacramento Historic City Cemetery , located at 1000 Broadway, at 10th Street, is the oldest existing cemetery in Sacramento, California. The cemetery is located at the highest point in Sacramento...
, Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
.