Background
Kent was born in 1835 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Rodolphus Kent and Sarah Deily.
Kent was born in 1835 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Rodolphus Kent and Sarah Deily.
He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1861 and served in the Union army during the Civil War.
Kent also served in the Union army during the American Civil War. His Great-Great-Grandfather was Colonel Jacob Ford, of Morristown, New Jersey (whose home was General George Washington"s headquarters 1779-1780).
He was first appointed to the 3rd United States. Infantry in 1861 and later transferred to staff duty as an assistant inspector general in 1863.
He ended the war as a brevet colonel assistant inspector general. Following the Civil War Kent returned to field duty with the 3rd United States. Infantry with the rank of captain.
He served on the frontier in Montana, Colorado and Nebraska. In 1885 Kent was promoted to major of the 4th United States. Infantry and stationed at Fort Omaha.
Major Kent and Captain Frank Doctorate. Baldwin were placed in charge of charge of the Wounded Knee investigation by Major General Nelson A. Miles.
When war with Spain began in May 1898, Kent was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and assumed command of the First Division of the Fifth Army Corps, destined for Cuba. His forces landed at Daiquirí and at the Battle of San Juan Hill his division led the main attack on San Juan Hill while the Rough Riders led the attack on nearby Kettle Hill. Kent"s division sustained heavy casualties during the assault: Hamilton South. Hawkins, commanding the First Brigade, was severely wounded and Colonel Charles A. Wikoff, commanding the Third Brigade, was killed.
Within half an hour, three more officers were to assume command of the latter brigade.
However United States. forces took the heights and Kent"s division participated in the subsequent Siege of Santiago. He was appointed brigadier general in the Regular Army in October, 1898.
He was transferred to the Philippines where he briefly served before he retired late in 1898. Kent died in 1918.
