Jacob Ford Kent
Encyclopedia
Jacob Ford Kent was a United States
general during the Spanish-American War
. Kent also served in the Union
army during the American Civil War
.
to Rodolphus Kent and Sarah Deily. His Great-Great-Grandfather was Col. Jacob Ford, of Morristown, NJ (whose home was General George Washington's headquarters 1779-80). He attended the United States Military Academy
at West Point
. He graduated in 1861 and served in the Union
army during the Civil War
.
began in May 1898, Kent was appointed brigadier general
of volunteers and assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division, V Corps destined for Cuba
. His forces landed at Daiquiri
and at the Battle of San Juan Hill
his division led the main attack on San Juan Hill
while the Rough Riders
led the attack on nearby Kettle Hill. Kent's division sustained heavy casualties during the assault. Hamilton S. Hawkins
, commanding the 1st Brigade was severely wounded. Colonel Charles A. Wikoff
, commanding the 3rd Brigade was killed and within half an hour 3 more officers were to assume command of the brigade. However U.S. forces took the heights and Kent's division participated in the subsequent Siege of Santiago
. He was appointed brigadier general
in the regular army in October, 1898. He was transferred to the Philippines
where he briefly served before he retired late in 1898. Kent died in 1918.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
general during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. Kent also served in the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
army 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...
.
Early life and the American Civil War
Kent was born in 1835 in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to Rodolphus Kent and Sarah Deily. His Great-Great-Grandfather was Col. Jacob Ford, of Morristown, NJ (whose home was General George Washington's headquarters 1779-80). He attended 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...
at West Point
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 graduated in 1861 and served in the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
army during the 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...
.
Spanish-American War and later life
When war with SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
began in May 1898, Kent was appointed 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...
of volunteers and assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division, V Corps destined for Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. His forces landed at Daiquiri
Daiquiri
Daiquiri is a family of cocktails whose main ingredients are rum, lime juice, and sugar or other sweetener. There are several versions, but those that gained international fame are the ones made in the El Floridita bar in Havana, Cuba....
and at the Battle of San Juan Hill
Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill , also known as the battle for the San Juan Heights, was a decisive battle of the Spanish-American War. The San Juan heights was a north-south running elevation about two kilometers east of Santiago de Cuba. The names San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were names given by the...
his division led the main attack on San Juan Hill
San Juan Hill
San Juan Hill is a series of hills to the east of Santiago, Cuba running north to south and known as the San Juan Heights or in Spanish "Alturas de San Juan" before Spanish-American War of 1898...
while the Rough Riders
Rough Riders
The Rough Riders is the name bestowed on the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments raised in 1898 for the Spanish-American War and the only one of the three to see action. The United States Army was weakened and left with little manpower after the American Civil War...
led the attack on nearby Kettle Hill. Kent's division sustained heavy casualties during the assault. Hamilton S. Hawkins
Hamilton S. Hawkins
Hamilton Smith Hawkins was a United States Army Major General during the Spanish-American War.Hawkins attended the United States Military Academy between 1852 and 1855, but did not graduate with the class of 1856 due to deficient academics. Despite being a South Carolinian, Hawkins served in the...
, commanding the 1st Brigade was severely wounded. Colonel Charles A. Wikoff
Charles A. Wikoff
Charles Augustus Wikoff was a United States Army officer serving from American Civil War until he became the most senior ranking American Army officer killed in the Spanish-American War-Early life:...
, commanding the 3rd Brigade was killed and within half an hour 3 more officers were to assume command of the brigade. However U.S. forces took the heights and Kent's division participated in the subsequent Siege of Santiago
Siege of Santiago
The Siege of Santiago also known as the Siege of Santiago de Cuba was the last major operation of the Spanish-American War on the island of Cuba. This action should not be confused with the naval battle of Santiago de Cuba.-Santiago Campaign:...
. He was appointed 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...
in the regular army in October, 1898. He was transferred to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
where he briefly served before he retired late in 1898. Kent died in 1918.