★  Devin, Thomas C.

Thomas Casimer Devin

Devin.jpg
Born:
December 10, 1822

Birthplace: New York City, New York

Father: Unknown

Mother: Unknown

Wife: Elizabeth M. Campbell 1833 – 1897
(Buried: U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York)​

Children:

Jeanette Elizabeth “Jeanie” Devin Braden 1859 – 1931​
(Buried: U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York)​

Occupation before War:

House Painter and Partner in Paint and Varnish Company in New York​

Civil War Career:

1861: Captain of Captain Devin’s Independent New York Cavalry​
1861 – 1865: Colonel of 6th New York Volunteers Cavalry Regiment​
1862: Involved in the first fighting at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland​
1862: Inherited the brigade of Gregg at Battle of Fredericksburg, VA.​
1863: Served in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia being detached​
1863: Known as a favorite of Brig. General John Buford​
1863: Screened Northwest & northern road approaches Gettysburg​
1864: Participated in Judson Kilpatrick’s raid on Richmond, Virginia​
1864: Served in the valley campaign under Major General Sheridan​
1864: Wounded in the foot at the Battle of Guard Hill, Virginia
Devin 1.jpg
1864: Participated in the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia​
1864: Appointed by President Lincoln as Brigadier General of Cavalry​
1865: Confirmed by United States Senate as Brigadier General​
1865 – 1866: Brigadier General of Union Army Volunteer Cavalry​
1866: Brevetted Major General of Volunteers by President Johnson​
1866: Mustered out of Volunteer service on January 15th

Occupation after War:

Lt. Colonel of United States Army 8th​ Cavalry Regiment​
Colonel of United States Army 3rd​ Cavalry Regiment​

Died:
April 4, 1878

Place of Death:
New York City, New York

Age at time of Death:
55 years old

Cause of Death: Stomach Cancer and Exposure

Original Burial Place: Cavalry Cemetery, Long Island, New York

Burial Place: U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, New York
 
Last edited by a moderator:
He had been commanding the 6th New York until Fredricksburg when he was tapped to command Gen David Gregg's Cavalry brigade. Gregg was transferred to the command of the slain Gen. George Bayard's brigade. At Chancellorsville this was the only Cavalry brigade not detached to Gen.Stoneman for his raid.
 
From what I've read Devin was only wounded once during the war. But He also had his horse shot out from under him at Brandy Station while commanding the entire right wing.
 
This bio says Devin was wounded in the foot at Guard Hill. Another bio states it was at Crooked Run. Are these the same battle?


It seems so,
On the morning of August 16, Confederate troopers scattered the Federal pickets at the Shenandoah River crossing at Front Royal. The troopers pursued them down the Front Royal Pike, eventually coming to Guard Hill, a prominent landmark. There, they were hit by Union Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Devin's dismounted cavalry brigade and sustained heavy losses. Confederate Brig. Gen. William T. Wofford's brigade attempted a flanking movement by wading across Crooked Run. There, they were attacked by two New York brigades, who took 300 of them captive. Union Brig. Gen. George A. Custer's Michigan Brigade rode toward the battle and sustained Devin's line along Crooked Run until they were forced to withdraw to Cedarville by Confederate artillery now on Guard Hill.[2]
 
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