This Day in History: September 13, 1813

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This Day in History

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On September 13, 1813, Major General John Sedgwick is born in Cornwall, Connecticut. Sedgwick graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1837 and received a commission as a second lieutenant in the artillery. He went on to serve in the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War and was promoted to the rank of major before transferring to the cavalry. When the American Civil War began, Sedgwick was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and soon given command of a division within the Union's Army of the Potomac. In 1862, Sedgwick (who had since been promoted to the rank of major general) was wounded in action when his forces were surrounded on three sides by forces led by Confederate Major General "Stonewall" Jackson at the Battle of Antietam. Returning to service after the Battle of Fredericksburg, Sedgwick participated in the Battle of Chancellorsville as commander of the VI Corps of the Union Army.

On May 9, 1864, Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick was directing his artillery units while his troops were probing Confederate skirmish lines at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. At the same time, Confederate sharpshooters up to 1,000 yards away were taking shots at the artillery and staff personnel. Many of the troops were ducking and taking cover, trying to avoid the incoming fire. Sedgwick, upon seeing this, chastised his men and asserted that the Confederate marksmen "couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Shortly afterward, a Confederate round struck Sedgwick below the left eye, killing him. Major General John Sedgwick was the highest ranking Union officer killed in battle during the American Civil War. He was buried near his hometown in Connecticut. A monument honoring Sedgwick also stands on the grounds of the US Military Academy at West Point.

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