Lucius Fairchild
Encyclopedia
Lucius Fairchild was an American
politician, army general, and diplomat. He served as the tenth Governor
of Wisconsin
and as U.S.
Minister to Spain
.
General Fairchild, as a Private
in 1858, enlisted in a Wisconsin volunteer militia known as the "governor's guard". Under his guidance the militia was titled Company K, 1st Wisconsin volunteers and by 1861, was serving in the Civil War
at Falling Waters against the "Stonewall Brigade
" of General Thomas J. Jackson. In August 1861, Fairchild was appointed Captain of the 16th US Regulars as well as Major of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
. During the prior month of July 1861, General William T. Sherman commanded the newly-formed regiment for the First Battle of Bull Run
and due to its poor performance, all upper chain of command needed replacement. Electing to stay with the 2nd, Major Fairchild was soon commissioned Lieutenant Colonel
and, with his regiment now apart of the famed Iron Brigade
within the Army of the Potomac
, participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run
. One week thereafter, on September 8, 1862, was promoted to the rank of full Colonel
of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteers
. On February 27, 1863, the Iron Brigade
, now under the command of Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith
, was redesignated the "1st Brigade, 1st Division, I Corps"
. This gave Colonel Fairchild the distinction of being the ranking pointman for all commissioned officers within the I Corp of the Army of the Potomac
during the Spring and Summer of 1863.
Fairchild, and his WI 2nd Volunteers, distinguished themselves at The Battle of Antietam, then culminating at Battle of Gettysburg
, at Seminary Ridge
on July 1, 1863, being the first infantry regiment to make close contact with the CSA Army. While drawing first blood, at roughly 10:00, the WI 2nd Vols delivered a striking blow capturing very first Confederate General Officer of the war, Brig. Gen. James J. Archer
. Almost immediately after this success, the regiment was ambushed from a northern flank to their right, and lost seventy-seven percent of their ranks, including most officers. Colonel Fairchild was shot in the upper arm, captured, tended to and released. While recovering from his amputated left arm, Lucius Fairchild was fully commissioned as Brigadier General
of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteers
by U.S.A President Abraham Lincoln
on October 19, 1863.
(1864–1866), before being elected three term Governor of Wisconsin
(1866–1872). After his time as governor, Fairchild was appointed U.S. consul at Liverpool
(1871) and then consul general at Paris
(1880–1881), Fairchild was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain
. Fairchild's later served as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic
(1886-87) and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
(1893-95); during the former of these terms, he came to national prominence for calling upon God to "palsy" U.S. President Grover Cleveland
for ordering some captured Confederate
standards returned to the appropriate southern states. General Fairchild also received 95 degrees in the Masonic Order "Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis."
, the first Treasurer of the State of Wisconsin and the first Mayor of the city of Madison, Wisconsin. His brother, Cassius Fairchild
served as Democratic Party Leader in the Wisconsin State Assembly
, and also served in the Union Army during the American Civil War with the rank of Colonel (brevet Brigadier General) . He also had a brother named Charles who served in the Union Navy during the war. His wife was Frances Bull Fairchild, and together they had five daughters, Mary, Sarah, Caryl, Lucia, and Charlotte.
is named in his honor.
The 422 foot WW II Liberty Ship SS Lucius Fairchild was named in his honor, built in 1943 in Portland, Oregon
for the United States
War Shipping Administration
.
A John Singer Sargent
portrait of General Fairchild is housed at the Wisconsin Historical Museum located in Madison, Wisconsin.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician, army general, and diplomat. He served as the tenth Governor
Governor of Wisconsin
The Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state...
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and as U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Minister to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Military career
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in 1858, enlisted in a Wisconsin volunteer militia known as the "governor's guard". Under his guidance the militia was titled Company K, 1st Wisconsin volunteers and by 1861, was serving in the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
at Falling Waters against the "Stonewall Brigade
Stonewall Brigade
The Stonewall Brigade of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, was a famous combat unit in United States military history. It was trained and first led by General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, a professor from Virginia Military Institute...
" of General Thomas J. Jackson. In August 1861, Fairchild was appointed Captain of the 16th US Regulars as well as Major of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent most of the war as a member of the famous Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.-Service:...
. During the prior month of July 1861, General William T. Sherman commanded the newly-formed regiment for the First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
and due to its poor performance, all upper chain of command needed replacement. Electing to stay with the 2nd, Major Fairchild was soon commissioned Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
and, with his regiment now apart of the famed Iron Brigade
Iron Brigade
The Iron Brigade, also known as the Iron Brigade of the West or the Black Hat Brigade, was an infantry brigade in the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Although it fought entirely in the Eastern Theater, it was composed of regiments from Western states...
within the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
, participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas was fought August 28–30, 1862, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of an offensive campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen...
. One week thereafter, on September 8, 1862, was promoted to the rank of full Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteers
2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent most of the war as a member of the famous Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.-Service:...
. On February 27, 1863, the Iron Brigade
Iron Brigade
The Iron Brigade, also known as the Iron Brigade of the West or the Black Hat Brigade, was an infantry brigade in the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Although it fought entirely in the Eastern Theater, it was composed of regiments from Western states...
, now under the command of Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith
Solomon Meredith
Solomon Meredith was a prominent Indiana farmer, politician, and lawman who was a controversial Union Army general in the American Civil War...
, was redesignated the "1st Brigade, 1st Division, I Corps"
Gettysburg Union order of battle
The following units and commanders fought in the Battle of Gettysburg of the American Civil War on the Union side. The Gettysburg Confederate order of battle is shown separately...
. This gave Colonel Fairchild the distinction of being the ranking pointman for all commissioned officers within the I Corp of the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
during the Spring and Summer of 1863.
Fairchild, and his WI 2nd Volunteers, distinguished themselves at The Battle of Antietam, then culminating at Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
, at Seminary Ridge
Battle of Gettysburg, First Day
The First Day of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War took place on July 1, 1863, and began as an engagement between isolated units of the Army of Northern Virginia under Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Army of the Potomac under Union Maj. Gen. George G. Meade...
on July 1, 1863, being the first infantry regiment to make close contact with the CSA Army. While drawing first blood, at roughly 10:00, the WI 2nd Vols delivered a striking blow capturing very first Confederate General Officer of the war, Brig. Gen. James J. Archer
James J. Archer
James Jay Archer was a lawyer and an officer in the United States Army during the Mexican-American War, and he later served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War....
. Almost immediately after this success, the regiment was ambushed from a northern flank to their right, and lost seventy-seven percent of their ranks, including most officers. Colonel Fairchild was shot in the upper arm, captured, tended to and released. While recovering from his amputated left arm, Lucius Fairchild was fully commissioned as Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteers
2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent most of the war as a member of the famous Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.-Service:...
by U.S.A President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
on October 19, 1863.
Political and diplomatic career
Fairchild resigned from the military in November, 1863 and was appointed Secretary of State of WisconsinSecretary of State of Wisconsin
The Secretary of State of Wisconsin is an officer of the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, and the second in the order of succession of the Governor of Wisconsin, behind the Lieutenant Governor....
(1864–1866), before being elected three term Governor of Wisconsin
Governor of Wisconsin
The Governor of Wisconsin is the highest executive authority in the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state...
(1866–1872). After his time as governor, Fairchild was appointed U.S. consul at Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
(1871) and then consul general at Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(1880–1881), Fairchild was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain
United States Ambassador to Spain
-Ambassadors:*John Jay**Appointed: September 29, 1779**Title: Minister Plenipotentiary**Presented credentials:**Terminated mission: ~May 20, 1782*William Carmichael**Appointed: April 20, 1790**Title: Chargé d'Affaires...
. Fairchild's later served as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
(1886-87) and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, also known by its acronym MOLLUS or simply as the Loyal Legion, is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by officers of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States who "had aided in maintaining the honor,...
(1893-95); during the former of these terms, he came to national prominence for calling upon God to "palsy" U.S. President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
for ordering some captured Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
standards returned to the appropriate southern states. General Fairchild also received 95 degrees in the Masonic Order "Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis."
Family
Lucius Fairchild is a descendant of Thomas Fairchild who emigrated to North America in 1639. His father was Democrat, Jairus C. FairchildJairus C. Fairchild
Jairus Cassius Fairchild was an American politician and businessman.Born in Granville, New York, he moved to Hudson, Ohio, where he was a merchant. Later he would move to Franklin Mills, Ohio for a brief time where he operated a tannery before relocating to Cleveland around 1834...
, the first Treasurer of the State of Wisconsin and the first Mayor of the city of Madison, Wisconsin. His brother, Cassius Fairchild
Cassius Fairchild
Cassius Fairchild was a Wisconsin businessman, politician, and military officer. Born in Franklin Mills, Ohio , Fairchild was educated mostly in Ohio. His father was Jairus C. Fairchild, who was the first Treasurer of Wisconsin and the first Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin. His brother was Lucius...
served as Democratic Party Leader in the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
, and also served in the Union Army during the American Civil War with the rank of Colonel (brevet Brigadier General) . He also had a brother named Charles who served in the Union Navy during the war. His wife was Frances Bull Fairchild, and together they had five daughters, Mary, Sarah, Caryl, Lucia, and Charlotte.
Legacy
The town of Fairchild, WisconsinFairchild, Wisconsin
Fairchild is a village in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 564 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Fairchild.-Geography:Fairchild is located at ....
is named in his honor.
The 422 foot WW II Liberty Ship SS Lucius Fairchild was named in his honor, built in 1943 in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
War Shipping Administration
War Shipping Administration
The War Shipping Administration was a World War II emergency war agency of the US Government, tasked to purchase and operate the civilian shipping tonnage the US needed for fighting the war....
.
A John Singer Sargent
John Singer Sargent
John Singer Sargent was an American artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Edwardian era luxury. During his career, he created roughly 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolors, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings...
portrait of General Fairchild is housed at the Wisconsin Historical Museum located in Madison, Wisconsin.
See also
- Fairchild familyFairchild familyThe Fairchild family has long roots in New England, United States. They descend from Thomas Fairchild who came from England in 1639 and settled in Stratford, Connecticut, a part of the fledgling New Haven Colony.-Genealogy:...
- List of American Civil War generals
- List of U.S. political families-Fairchild