Rufus Saxton

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Rufus Saxton (October 19, 1824–February 23, 1908) was an American soldier who served as a Brigadier General of volunteers in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–1865). For his service he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1893.

Saxton was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and educated at Deerfield Academy and at the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1849 and where he later served as an instructor. In 1853 he participated in the Pacific Railroad survey in the Pacific Northwest. During the Civil War, he commanded the Union defenses at Harpers Ferry and was later appointed military governor of the Department of the South. As such he directed the recruitment of the first regiments of black soldiers who fought in the Union army. He later served as assistant commissioner for the Freedmen's Bureau, where he pursued the policy of settling freed slaves in land confiscated from white landowners in the Sea Islands, until he was removed from his position by President Andrew Johnson.

After the Civil War, Saxton remained in the Army, serving in the Quartermaster Corps. He retired in 1888 and lived in Washington D.C. until his death in 1908. Saxton is honored with a private memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Battery Barlow-Saxton at Fort MacArthur is named in his honor.

Brief Sketch of the Military Service of Rufus Saxton

1845-1849 – Cadet, U.S. Military Academy
1849 – Brevet 2d Lieutenant, 3d Artillery
1849-50 Served in Florida Indian War
1850-52 Acting Assistant Quartermaster in Texas
1853-53 Chief Quartermaster, Northern Pacific Railroad Exploration
Conducted an exploring expedition [….] Letter from Isaac Stevns of September 15, 1853 congratulating him on arriving at Fort Benton
1855 First Lietuenant 4th Artillery
1855-59 On Coast Survey duty
1859-60 Assistant Instructor of Artillery Tactics at Military Academy
1861 Captain and Major of Missour I Volunteers. Appointed Colonel of Missouri Volunteers, but not allowed to accept. Chief Quartermaster on Staff of General Lyon in military operations in Missouri. Chief Quartermaster on Staff of General McClellan, in West Virginia Campaign. Appointed Colonel of 22nd Massachutts Volunteers (Senator Wilson’s regiment), but not allowed to accept. [letter from M.C. Meigs telling him he needs him dated Sept. 27, 1861]
1861 Chief Quartermaster of General Sherman’s expeditionary corps to Port Royal SC and of the Department of the South. Had entire charge of organization in New York City of the transportation for this expedition. 13,000 men, 1200 horses, ammunition, heavy siege ornance, and supplies for a six months siege were put afloat at once. The fleet passed in safety through one of the severest storms ever known off Cape Hatteras [ letter from Meigs, Nov. 16, 1861 – Congratulations on your vessels making it – others were lost]
[letter Jan. 10, 1862 – “I would rejoice if it were possible to give Capt. Saxton a higher rank, but I doubt he could be put somewhere else of more use.”’ Meigs – signed Thomas] 1862 Brigadier General of Volunteers, n Army of the Potomac, and in command of defenses of Harper’s Ferry, Va.
[letter from Stanton, thanks of dept. for service at Harper’s Ferry]
1862 -65 Military Governor of the Department of the South, being charged with the organization and recruitment of colored troops and command of the District of Beaufort SC. Aso, between same dates, in command of Morris Island and of the bombardment of Charleston.
1865 Brevet Major General Volunteers, Superintendent Volunteer Recruiting Service, and Assistant Commissioner of Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands for States of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Brevet Major, Brevet Lietutenat Colonel, Brevet Colon and Brevet Brigadier General, U.S. Army 1866 – Mustered out of Volunteer Service

[Received recognition of services from the War-General of his native state, John A. Andrew of Massachussets]

1866 – Chief Quartermaster on Northern frontier – Major and quartermaster
1867-69 – Chief Quartermaster (CQ) Third Military District and Department of the South 1869-1873 – CQ Dept. of Columbia
1873 – Lieut. Colonel and Dep. Quartermaster General
1873-4 – CQ Dept. of the Lakes
1874-5 – CQ 4th QM District, Dept. of East
1875 – In charge of Philadelphia General Depot of the QM Dept.
1875-79 – CQ, Dept. of Missouri
1879-82 – CQ, Military Division of the Pacific and Dept. of California
1882 – Colonel and Assistant Quartermaster General.
[Source: family papers handed down through R. Saxton's brother S.Willard Saxton to the Seward family]