Edward Henry Hobson was an American merchant, banker and politician. He served as an officer in the United States Army in the Mexican-American War and American Civil War.
Background
Edward Henry Hobson was born on July 11, 1825 in Greensburg, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of Captain William Hobson and Lucy Kirtley, of Greensburg, Kentucky. His father was well established both as an owner of steamers on Green River and as a merchant.
Education
Hobson attended the common schools of Greensburg and Danville.
Career
Hobson entered upon a business career with his father at the age of eighteen. He went to Mexico as second lieutenant of Company A, 2nd Kentucky Infantry, starting from Louisville by steamer in June 1846. For heroism at Buena Vista he became first lieutenant. He was mustered out in June 1847, and returning home, resumed his commercial life.
He rose steadily in commerce and banking, becoming a director of the Greensburg Branch Bank of Kentucky in 1853 and president in 1857. In 1861, when the Confederates under Gen. S. B. Buckner were threatening western Kentucky, Hobson with five companions carried the bank's funds to Louisville. He was promptly recognized in the call to arms, as colonel of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry; he subsequently recruited the 13th Infantry and as its colonel was mustered into service, January 12, 1862, receiving the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers on November 29, 1862. Under General J. T. Boyle he defended several posts during the Confederate attacks of 1862.
He fought well in the center at Shiloh. On December 25, 1862, he drove part of Morgan's forces out of Munfordville, where his command included Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan units besides his original 13th Kentucky. His most noteworthy exploit was his pursuit in 1863 of the Confederate leader, General John H. Morgan. From Marrowbone, Kentucky, he followed his enemy for nearly 900 miles, being in the saddle with very little rest for twenty-one days. Overtaking his foe at Buffington, Ohio, on July 19, with the aid of General Judah's troops he captured five guns, "enough equipment to load a steamboat, " and 575 men. He did not, however, receive the surrender of Morgan, nor of all his command.
In 1864, after a brief campaign on the Cumberland River, he led an expedition against Saltville, Virginia, but was checked by the counter attacks of Morgan, who had returned to the Confederate service after his imprisonment at Columbus. In minor battles at Mount Sterling, Lexington, and Keller's Bridge (Cynthiana), Morgan won victories. Hobson, approaching Cynthiana with a relief force, June 11, 1864, was surprised and defeated; and he himself, wounded in the arm, was sent by Morgan to Cincinnati under a pledge, which he declared was not a parole, to be exchanged for a Confederate officer of equal rank.
During his absence Union troops under Stephen Gano Burbridge recaptured Cynthiana, released the Union prisoners, and scattered Morgan's forces the next day (June 12). Thus the pledge to General Morgan was nullified, and Hobson was detained by the War Department for technical violation of his parole.
After the war, Hobson was the unsuccessful Radical candidate for clerk of the court of appeals in the election of August 1866, against Alvin Duvall. In 1869 President Grant appointed Hobson collector of internal revenue in the fourth district. He held various offices in the Grand Army of the Republic, being commander of the department of Kentucky in 1892-1893.
He engaged in enterprises of various types, including lumbering, real estate, and merchandise, until his death at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1901, during the G. A. R. encampment.
Achievements
Politics
Hobson was a Republican.
Connections
On October 12, 1847, Hobson married Kate, the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Adair and niece of Governor John Adair. They had six children.