Orlando Bolivar Willcox | |
|---|---|
 Orlando B. Willcox | |
| Born | (1823-04-16)April 16, 1823 Detroit,Michigan |
| Died | May 11, 1907(1907-05-11) (aged 84) Cobourg, Ontario |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1847–1857 1861–1887 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General BrevetMajor General |
| Commands | 1st Michigan Infantry Regiment 1st Division, IX Corps 3rd Division, IX Corps IX Corps Department of the Missouri |
| Battles / wars | Mexican–American War Third Seminole War American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Orlando Bolivar Willcox (April 16, 1823 – May 11, 1907) was an American soldier who served as a general in theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War.
Willcox was born inDetroit,Michigan. He entered theUnited States Military Academy inWest Point, New York, in 1843. Following graduation in 1847, he was commissionedSecond Lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery. He would subsequently serve in theUnited States Army in various capacities over a period of forty years. Willcox served in theMexican–American War, fought against the Indians on thefrontier, and again in theThird Seminole War. Following the latter conflict, he resigned from the Army in 1857.[1]
When the Civil War began, Willcox was practicing law in Detroit. He was appointedcolonel of the1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded and captured in theFirst Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) while in command of abrigade inMaj. Gen.Samuel P. Heintzelman's division. He later received theMedal of Honor in 1895 for "most distinguished gallantry" during the battle.[1]
After his release and exchange more than a year later, on August 19, 1862, PresidentAbraham Lincoln appointed Willcox abrigadier general of volunteers, to rank from July 1, 1861.[2] The President had to submit the nomination three times, the last on March 7, 1863, before the U.S. Senate finally confirmed the appointment on March 11, 1863.[2] Willcox commanded the 1st Division of Maj. Gen.Ambrose Burnside'sIX Corps in 1862. He led the division at theBattle of Antietam and the corps at theBattle of Fredericksburg.[1]
During the1863 draft riots, Willcox commanded the District ofIndiana and Michigan. He again led a division atKnoxville and duringLt. Gen.Ulysses S. Grant'sOverland Campaign. On December 12, 1864, PresidentAbraham Lincoln nominated Willcox for appointment to thebrevet grade ofmajor general of volunteers to rank from August 1, 1864, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on April 14, 1865.[3] Following theSiege of Petersburg, he led the first troops to enterPetersburg, Virginia, before ending the war serving inNorth Carolina.[1] He was mustered out of the volunteers on January 15, 1866.[4]
Willcox returned to Detroit to resume his career as a lawyer but when the United States (Regular Army) was expanded in July 1866, he accepted appointment as colonel of the29th U.S. Infantry Regiment.[5]
On March 26, 1867, PresidentAndrew Johnson nominated Willcox for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general, USA (regular army), to rank from March 2, 1867, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on April 5, 1867.[6] Also, on the same dates of nomination, rank and confirmation, President Johnson nominated and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Willcox to the brevet grade of major general, USA (regular army).[7]
Willcox transferred to the 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1869 and served in San Francisco, except for brief periods, until 1878 when he became Commander of theDepartment of Arizona.[5] In this capacity, he put down the raids ofApache Indians.[5] For his service in the West, he was awarded a Vote of Thanks by the Arizona Legislature. Willcox was appointed a brigadier general, USA (regular army), October 13, 1886.[4] From 1886 to 1887, he was head of theDepartment of the Missouri. He retired April 16, 1887 as a brigadier general.[1][4] After his retirement, Willcox was governor of the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. from February 27, 1889 to July 8, 1892.[4]
General Willcox was a member of the District of Columbia Commandery of theMilitary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Society of theSons of the American Revolution.
Willcox moved to Canada in 1905.[4] He died inCobourg, Ontario, at 84 years of age but was buried in Section 1, Grave 18, ofArlington National Cemetery in Virginia.[8]
The town ofWillcox, Arizona is named in his honor.[5]
Rank and organization: Colonel, 1st Michigan Infantry. Place and date: At Bull Run, Va., July 21, 1861. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Birth: Detroit, Mich. Date of issue: March 2, 1895.[9]
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