★  Torbert, Alfred T. A.

Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert

:us34stars:
Torbert.jpg


Born: July 1, 1833

Birthplace: Georgetown, Delaware

Father: Jonathan Robinson Torbert 1803 – 1853
(Buried: Wesley M.E. Chapel Cemetery, Georgetown, Delaware)​

Mother: Catharine A. Milby 1806 – 1881
(Buried: Wesley M.E. Chapel Cemetery, Georgetown, Delaware)​

Wife: Mary Elizabeth Currey 1839 – 1895
(Buried: Methodist Episcopal Cemetery, Milford, Delaware)​

Children:

Sarah Frances Torbert Fulks 1852 – 1885​

Education:

1855: Graduated from West Point Military Academy – (21st in class)​

Occupation before War:

1855: Brevet 2nd Lt. United States Army of Infantry​
1855 – 1861: 2nd Lt. United States Army, 5th Infantry Regiment​
1855 – 1856: Conductor of Recruits to Texas​
1856: Frontier Duty at Fort McIntosh, Texas​
1856: U.S. Army Scout against Lipan Indians​
1856 – 1857: Served in the fighting against Seminoles​
1857: Garrison Duty at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri​
1857 – 1860: Served on the Utah Expedition​
1860 – 1861: Served in the March to New Mexico​
1861: 1st Lt. United States Army, 5th Infantry Regiment​

Civil War Career:
Torbert 3.jpg

1861: In New Jersey Mustering Officer of Volunteers​
1861: Declined to be Captain and Assistant Quartermaster​
1861 – 1862: Colonel of 1st New Jersey Infantry Regiment​
1861 – 1862: Served in Defenses of Washington, D.C. near Alexandria​
1861 – 1866: Captain United States Army 5th Infantry Regiment​
1862: Served in the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia​
1862: Served in the Battle of Gaines Mill, Virginia​
1862: Served in the Second Battle of Bull Run, Virginia​
1862: Wounded during the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland​
1862: Served in the Battle of Antietam, Maryland​
1862: Served in the March to Falmouth, Virginia​
1862 – 1866: Brigadier General of Union Army, Volunteers​
1863: Brevetted Major for Gallantry at Battle of Gettysburg​
1863: Served in Pursuit of the enemy to Warrenton, Virginia​
1863: Served in the Battle of Rappahannock Station, Virginia​
1864: Served in the Battle of North Anna River, Virginia​
1864: Brevetted Lt. Colonel for Gallantry at Battle of Hawes Shop​
1864: Served in the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia​
1864: Served in the Battle of Trevilian Station, Virginia​
1864 – 1865: Chief of Cavalry for Middle Military Division​
1864: Served in the Battle of Winchester, Virginia​
1864: Served in the Battle of Opequan, Virginia​
1864: Brevetted Major General Union Army for his service​
1864: Brevetted Colonel for Gallantry at Battle of Winchester​
1865: Brevetted Brig. General for Gallantry at Battle of Cedar Creek​
1865: Brevetted Major General for his service in the War​
1865: Union Army Commander of Army of the Shenandoah​
1865: Union Army Commander of District of Winchester, Virginia​
1865: Union Army Commander of District of Southeastern Virginia
Torbert 2.jpg
1866: Mustered out of the Union Army on January 15th

Occupation after War:

1861 – 1866: Captain United States Army, 5th Infantry Regiment​
1866: Resigned from United States Army on October 31st
1869 – 1871: United States Minister Resident to El Salvador​
1871 – 1873: United States Counsel General at Havana, Cuba​
1873 – 1878: United States Counsel General at Paris, France​

Died: August 29, 1880

Place of Death: Wrecking of Steamer Vera Cruz off Cape Canaveral, Florida

Cause of Death: Drowned

Age at time of Death: 47 years old

Burial Place: Methodist Episcopal Cemetery, Milford, Delaware

Torbert 1.jpg
 
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Torbert first led the First New Jersey Brigade until 1864, when he was assigned to command a division in the Cavalry Corps, an odd choice given his expertise at Infantry. He soon had to cede command to Wesley Merritt at the starrt of the Overland Campaign due to a spinal issue. He eventually recovered and took command of the miscillanious cavalry regiments left with Grant after Sheridan launched his raid mid campaign. He returned to command his division, before taking command of the Corps when Sheridan took command of the Army of the Shenandoah.
 
He certainly was a dashing looking character in my book. And it's hard to tell in black and white, but it seems from a couple the photos above Custer wasn't the only flashy dresser in the cavalry.

Thanks @gentlemanrob.

John
 
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[Northern Christian, 9 September 1880]​
A long, detailed account of the Vera Cruz disaster, along with much more regarding Gen. Torbert, is attached below from the Wilmington (Del.) Daily Republican, 4 September 1880, is attached below.
 

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Allegedly, he was offered a commision in the Confederate Army in 1861. He refused and stayed with the Union.
Does make me wonder why they did so. Maybe it was due to him being from Delaware, maybe one of the officers who served with him in the Old Army recommended him.
 
Was a bit of a clothes horse too, like Custer, if I'm not mistaken. I wouldn't hold that against him though.

John
 
I just read where he delivered a crushing defeat on the enemy cavalry at Tom's Brook in October 1864. I can't say that I'm familiar with that battle, was it a true battle or more of a skirmish?
 
I just read where he delivered a crushing defeat on the enemy cavalry at Tom's Brook in October 1864. I can't say that I'm familiar with that battle, was it a true battle or more of a skirmish?
He did beat Rosser's recently arrived Cavalry division. It was a solid victory, and partially crippled the effectiveness of it when it later took part in Cedar Creek.
 
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