★ ★  Buell, Don Carlos

Don Carlos Buell

Born: March 23, 1818
Buell.jpg


Birthplace: Lowell, Ohio

Father: Salmon D. Buell 1794 – 1823
(Buried: Buell Cemetery, Lowell, Ohio)​

Mother: Elizabeth Buell

Wife: Margaret Hunter 1821 – 1881
(Buried: Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis, Missouri)​

Married: 1851

Education:

1841: Graduated from West Point Military Academy – (32nd in class)​

Occupation before War:

1841 – 1846: 2nd Lt. United States Army, 3rd Infantry Regiment​
1846 – 1851: 1st Lt. United States Army, 3rd Infantry Regiment
Buell 1.jpg
1846: Brevetted Captain for Gallantry at Battle of Monterrey Mexico​
1847: Brevetted Major for Gallantry at Contreras and Churchbusco​
1847 – 1848: Adjutant for United States Army, 3rd​ Infantry Regiment​
1848: Brevetted Captain and Assistant Adjutant General U.S. Army​
1848 – 1849: Assistant Adjutant in U.S. Army Adjutant General Office​
1849 – 1851: Assistant Adjutant for U.S. Army 6th Military Department​
1851: Assistant Adjutant General for Department of New Mexico​
1852 – 1855: Assistant Adjutant for 8th Military Department​
1855 – 1856: Assistant Adjutant for U.S. Army Department of Texas​
1857 – 1858: Assistant Adjutant for U.S. Army Department of East​
1858 – 1859: Assistant Adjutant for U.S. Army Department of West​
1859 – 1861: Assistant Adjutant General for U.S. War Department​
1861: Brevetted Major and Assistant Adjutant General in U.S. Army​

Civil War Career:
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1861 – 1862: Lt. Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General, U.S. Army​
1861: Assistant Adjutant General for U.S. Army, Department of Pacific​
1861 – 1862: Brigadier General, Union Army Volunteers Infantry​
1861: Served in the Defenses of Washington, D.C.​
1861 – 1862: Commander of U.S. Army, Department of the Ohio​
1862: Commander of Union Army of Ohio​
1862: Served in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee​
1862 – 1864: Major General of Union Army Volunteers Infantry​
1862: Served in the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi​
1862: Served in Kentucky until being relieved of command​
1862 – 1863: Went before committee to investigate his role in Tennessee and Kentucky​
1863 – 1864: Awaiting Orders in Indianapolis, Indiana​
1864: Mustered out of Service in Army on June 1st

Occupation after War:

1865 – 1870: President of Green River, Kentucky Iron Works​
Defended himself and criticized General Grant with his writing​
Businessman with Coal mining in Green River, Kentucky​
1885 – 1889: United States Pension Agent for Federal Government​

Died: November 19, 1898

Place of Death: Rockport, Kentucky

Age at time of Death: 80 years old

Burial Place: Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis, Missouri
 
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I see that Buell, after being relieved of command of the Army of the Ohio, was put on ice until he was mustered out of service in 1864. His experience seems to be harsher than that of other relieved Union commanders such as Rosecrans and Pope, who after being relieved, were shunted into less important postings in western locales. Wondering what was different about Buell compared to the others?
 
I need to learn more about Buell. What I have read- which may be biased- is that he was banished for his criticism of the treatment of Southern civilians and their property.
Can anyone provide more?
 
After graduation he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the 3rd Infantry and sent to fight the Seminoles. No combat was seen and the 3rd was transferred to Illinois.Buell was soon court-martialed for striking an enlisted man over the head with the blunt end of his sword.He was cleared of any wrongdoing by a military tribunal. There was said to be considerable opposition to this verdict.Even Winfield Scott felt that Buell deserved some punishment.
 
It was his Army of the Ohio that captured Nashville then moved down to support Grant at Shiloh. His controversial arrival late on the first day of fighting has led to debate. In Buells eyes, he rescued Grant. To Grant, Buell was a reinforcement.The second day the two commanders acted almost independent of each other.
 
It was his Army of the Ohio that captured Nashville then moved down to support Grant at Shiloh. His controversial arrival late on the first day of fighting has led to debate. In Buells eyes, he rescued Grant. To Grant, Buell was a reinforcement.The second day the two commanders acted almost independent of each other.
Compounding the problem was the command structure, where both Grant and Buell reported to Halleck.
 
The Turchin incident- what am I missing? Sounds as Buell was in the right.
I don't really see the connection either. Buell lost his command for failing to follow up the retreating Confederates after the battle of Perryville. He was relieved of command on Oct. 24, 1862. I feel his being in "hot water" didn't have much to do with Turchin.
 
I don't really see the connection either. Buell lost his command for failing to follow up the retreating Confederates after the battle of Perryville. He was relieved of command on Oct. 24, 1862. I feel his being in "hot water" didn't have much to do with Turchin.
Perryville was a problem but one of many I think. In all the memoirs I've read, the soldiers who served under him seem to accuse him of dragging his feet - he was perceived as not really wanting to fight or at least being pretty unenthusiastic about it. Not the best choice for a commander.
 
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