Charles Hamlin (general)

Charles Hamlin
Charles Hamlin
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
In office
1883–1885
In office
1885–1887
Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
In office
1885–1887
Personal details
Born September 13, 1837
Hampden, Maine
Died May 15, 1911 (aged 73)
Bangor, Maine
Political party Republican
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch Union Army
Years of service 1861–1865
Rank Major
Brevet Brigadier General
Unit 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Regiment
Battles/wars American Civil War

Charles Hamlin (September 13, 1837 – May 15, 1911) was a Union Army major[1][2] during the American Civil War ("Civil War") who was awarded the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general United States Volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, by U.S. Senate confirmation on March 12, 1866. He was also the son of Vice President Hannibal Hamlin and brother to Cyrus Hamlin, a Union Army brigadier general.

Charles Hamlin began his military career as a major in the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Regiment and then gained a staff position as major and assistant adjutant general in the Army of the Potomac.[1] He fought in the Battle of Gettysburg among other engagements. Hamlin served as assistant adjutant general on the staffs of Generals Hiram G. Berry and Albion P. Howe. Hamlin was mustered out of the U.S. Volunteers on September 14, 1865.[2] On January 13, 1866, Hamlin was nominated by President Andrew Johnson for the award of the honorary grade of brevet brigadier general United States Volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865[3] for faithful and meritorious services[1] The U.S. Senate confirmed the award on March 12, 1866.[3]

Along with his sister Sarah, Hamlin was at Ford's Theater on the night of the Lincoln assassination.

A lawyer in civilian life, Hamlin returned to his home in Bangor, Maine after the war and became City Solicitor in 1867. In 1883 and 1885 he served terms in the Maine House of Representatives, becoming its Speaker in his second term. He also served as president of the Eastern Maine General Hospital (now the Eastern Maine Medical Center) [4]

See also

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hunt, Roger D. and Brown, Jack R. Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue. p. 257. Gaithersburg, MD: Olde Soldier Books, Inc., 1990. ISBN 1-56013-002-4.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands. p. 276 Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Eicher, 2001, p. 747
  4. Guide to the Hamlin Family Papers, Folger Library, University of Maine Orono

References

External links