★ Lauman, Jacob G.

Jacob Gartner Lauman​

Born: January 20, 1813

Birthplace: Taneytown, Maryland

Father: George Christopher Lauman 1781 – 1849

(Buried: Prospect Hill Cemetery, York, Pennsylvania)​

Mother: Margaret Gardner 1798 – 1862

(Buried: Prospect Hill Cemetery, York, Pennsylvania)​

Wife: Matilda Stull – 1846

(Buried: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa)​

Wife: Louisa Douglas Viele 1835 – 1900

(Buried: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa)​

Children:

Charles Newcomb Lauman 1855 – 1913​

(Buried: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa)​

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Margaret Louisa Lauman 1857 – 1877​

(Buried: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa)​

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Colonel George Viele Lauman 1860 – 1931​

(Buried: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa)​

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Carrie Lauman 1862 – 1863​

(Buried: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa)​

Education:

Attended York County Pennsylvania Academy​

Occupation before War:

Successful Commerce Businessman in Burlington, Iowa​

Civil War Career:

1861: Helped recruit regiments for Union Army in Iowa

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1861 – 1862: Colonel of 7th​ Iowa Volunteers Infantry Regiment​

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1861: Served under Grant in the early days in Missouri​

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1861: Wounded in left thigh during Battle of Belmont, Missouri​

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1862: Brigade Commander during Battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee​

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1862 – 1865: Brigadier General of Union Army Volunteers​

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1862: Brigade Commander at Battle of Hatchie's Bridge, Tennessee​

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1863: Served in the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi​

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1863: Relieved of duty after capture of Jackson, Mississippi​

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1863: Failed to properly execute orders on how to deploy troops​

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1863 – 1865: Awaiting Orders in Burlington, Iowa​

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1864: Suffered a severe stroke​

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1864 – 1867: Suffered from the effects of his stroke​

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1865: Brevetted to the rank of Major General in Union Army​

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1865: Mustered out of the Union Army on August 24th​​

Occupation after War:

1865 – 1867: Only able to walk a short distance with cane and friend​

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1865 – 1867: Suffered from the effects of his stroke​

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1865 – 1867: Commerce Businessman in Burlington Iowa​

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1865 – 1867: Tried to clear his name blaming his failure on misunderstanding​

Died: February 9, 1867

Place of Death: Burlington, Iowa

Cause of Death: Paralysis of the left side

Age at time of Death: 54 years old

Burial Place: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa

 

[gentlemanrob]

 

[flummery]

According to E. L. Hobart, "Lest We Forget. . ." Lauman was unfairly blamed for the debacle at Jackson. Officers pointed their fingers at General Ord for the costly assault when he sent Lauman across a cornfield without other support, and ran into 16 cannons and 6,000 infantry rifles. I was researching the 28th Illinois who, under Isaac Pugh, suffered greatly while storming Confederate breastworks, losing their flag, and about 2/3 of their already scant fighting force. Would be interested to hear other opinions on this, was this just sour grapes?

 

[Pollaco]

At the time of his being relieved of command his division was part of Ord's Corps. On July 12, 1863 the brigade commanded by Col. Isaac C. Pugh was ordered to charge the Confederate fortifications outside of Jackson. Despite protests the charge was made and half the brigade was decimated. Ord relieved Lauman of command after "Lauman was slow to regroup the survivors". Both Sherman and Grant agreed with Ord. Lauman was then sent back to Iowa to await further orders.The orders never came.

The actual charge was wanton disregard for orders that led to a heavy loss.Lauman was later still never the less brevetted to major general.

At Fort Donelson his brigade were some of the first troops to storm and enter the Fort.It was this service that got him promoted to brigadier.Lauman was said to have relieved the flag of truce that brought about the surrender negotiations.

Assistant Secretary of War Dana said of Lauman "He got his promotion by bravery on the field and Iowa political influence. He is is totally unfit to command----a very good man but a very poor general."

 

[flummery]

At the time of his being relieved of command his division was part of Ord's Corps.On July 12, 1863 the brigade commanded by Col. Isaac C. Pugh was ordered to charge the Confederate fortifications outside of Jackson. Despite protests the charge was made and half the brigade was decimated. Ord relieved Lauman of command after "Lauman was slow to regroup the survivors".Both Sherman and Grant agreed with Ord. Lauman was then sent back to Iowa to await further orders.The orders never came.

"Slow to regroup the survivors. . ." There were so few of them! Would really like to know what happened on that field that day. Wonder how much politics went into Sherman and Grant supporting Ord.
Was remembering that Gen. A. J. Smith countermanded Sherman's order to cross the bayou on his front at Chickasaw Bayou. He was not reprimanded. How much leeway did generals have in countermanding orders? Was that a common thing? Schofield also refused Thomas' orders to take Compton's Hill on the second day at Nashville. I'm sure there are other examples. Lauman might have been better off refusing the order. Kind of sad he was brought down and suffered a stroke shortly after being relieved of duty. He was a hero at Donelson.

 

[Discipulus]

According to E. L. Hobart, "Lest We Forget. . ." Lauman was unfairly blamed for the debacle at Jackson. Officers pointed their fingers at General Ord for the costly assault when he sent Lauman across a cornfield without other support, and ran into 16 cannons and 6,000 infantry rifles. I was researching the 28th Illinois who, under Isaac Pugh, suffered greatly while storming Confederate breastworks, losing their flag, and about 2/3 of their already scant fighting force. Would be interested to hear other opinions on this, was this just sour grapes?

I found Lt. S.D. Thompson and his self-published book from 1864, Recollections with the Third Iowa regiment.

The soldiers knew the attack was a bad idea. The field officers knew it was a bad idea, everyone all the way up to and including Col. Pugh knew it was a bad idea. But General Laumann was trusted.

 

[ErnieMac]

At the time of his being relieved of command his division was part of Ord's Corps.On July 12, 1863 the brigade commanded by Col. Isaac C. Pugh was ordered to charge the Confederate fortifications outside of Jackson. Despite protests the charge was made and half the brigade was decimated. Ord relieved Lauman of command after "Lauman was slow to regroup the survivors".Both Sherman and Grant agreed with Ord. Lauman was then sent back to Iowa to await further orders.The orders never came.

"Slow to regroup the survivors. . ." There were so few of them! Would really like to know what happened on that field that day. Wonder how much politics went into Sherman and Grant supporting Ord.
Was remembering that Gen. A. J. Smith countermanded Sherman's order to cross the bayou on his front at Chickasaw Bayou. He was not reprimanded. How much leeway did generals have in countermanding orders? Was that a common thing? Schofield also refused Thomas' orders to take Compton's Hill on the second day at Nashville. I'm sure there are other examples. Lauman might have been better off refusing the order. Kind of sad he was brought down and suffered a stroke shortly after being relieved of duty. He was a hero at Donelson.

Ord is one of the Federal generals for whom I am unable to find outstanding qualities that merited advancement to high command. So far as I can see being Sherman's roommate at West Point and being on friendly terms with Halleck and Grant were his main attributes.