Thomas J.C. Amory
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jonathan Coffin Amory was an officer in the Regular Army of the United States prior to and during the Civil War
. After graduating from the United States Military Academy
at West Point in 1851, he served in the American West and was involved in the Utah War
. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, he assumed command of the 17th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as colonel
. He died of yellow fever
in New Bern, North Carolina
on October 7, 1864. Amory posthumously was awarded the honorary grade of brevet
brigadier general
.
. The 7th Infantry served in the American West. In 1857, Amory (by that time a first lieutenant) participated in the Utah War—an armed dispute between the U.S. government and the Mormon settlers in Utah Territory
.
and placed in command of the 17th Massachusetts.
The 17th Massachusetts was assigned to the Department of North Carolina and shortly after the regiment arrived in North Carolina, Amory was promoted to command the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the XVIII Corps under the overall command of Maj. Gen.
John G. Foster
. Early in 1864, he was promoted to the command of the army District of Beaufort, North Carolina
. In the fall of 1864, an epidemic of yellow fever swept through Beaufort. Amory and his wife (who had been staying in garrison with him) both fell victim to the epidemic. Amory's wife died a few days before him.
Amory was posthumously awarded the grade of brevet brigadier general. The award of the brevet grade was made retroactively effective to the date of his death, October 7, 1864.
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...
. After graduating from 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 in 1851, he served in the American West and was involved in the Utah War
Utah War
The Utah War, also known as the Utah Expedition, Buchanan's Blunder, the Mormon War, or the Mormon Rebellion was an armed confrontation between LDS settlers in the Utah Territory and the armed forces of the United States government. The confrontation lasted from May 1857 until July 1858...
. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, he assumed command of the 17th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
. He died of yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
in New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
on October 7, 1864. Amory posthumously was awarded the honorary grade of 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...
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...
.
Early service and Utah War
After graduating West Point, Amory received the rank of brevet second lieutenant and was assigned to the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment7th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The United States Army's 7th Infantry Regiment, known as "The Cottenbalers" from an incident that occurred during the Battle of New Orleans, while under the command of Andrew Jackson, when soldiers of the 7th Infantry Regiment held positions behind a breastwork of bales of cotton during the...
. The 7th Infantry served in the American West. In 1857, Amory (by that time a first lieutenant) participated in the Utah War—an armed dispute between the U.S. government and the Mormon settlers in Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
.
Civil War
Early in 1861, Amory returned to Massachusetts from active duty with the Regular Army to act as a recruiting officer. In May 1861, he was promoted to captain in the Regular Army. On September 2, 1861, he was commissioned a colonel of Massachusetts volunteers by Gov. John AndrewJohn Albion Andrew
John Albion Andrew was a U.S. political figure. He served as the 25th Governor of Massachusetts between 1861 and 1866 during the American Civil War. He was a guiding force behind the creation of some of the first U.S. Army units of black men—including the famed 54th Massachusetts Infantry.-Early...
and placed in command of the 17th Massachusetts.
The 17th Massachusetts was assigned to the Department of North Carolina and shortly after the regiment arrived in North Carolina, Amory was promoted to command the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the XVIII Corps under the overall command of Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
John G. Foster
John G. Foster
John Gray Foster was a career military officer in the United States Army and a Union general during the American Civil War whose most distinguished services were in North and South Carolina. A postbellum expert in underwater demolition, he wrote the definitive treatise on the subject.-Early...
. Early in 1864, he was promoted to the command of the army District of Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709, it is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.The population was 4,189 at the 2008 census and it is the county seat of Carteret County...
. In the fall of 1864, an epidemic of yellow fever swept through Beaufort. Amory and his wife (who had been staying in garrison with him) both fell victim to the epidemic. Amory's wife died a few days before him.
Amory was posthumously awarded the grade of brevet brigadier general. The award of the brevet grade was made retroactively effective to the date of his death, October 7, 1864.
See also
- List of Massachusetts generals in the American Civil War
- Massachusetts in the American Civil War