Background
Mower was born in Woodstock, Vermont.
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Joseph Anthony Mower
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He was a competent officer and well respected by his troops and fellow officers to whom he was known as "Fighting Joe". William T. Sherman said of Mower, "he"s the boldest young officer we have". He entered the United States. army in 1855, having previously served as a private in the Mexican War.
During the Civil War, he became colonel of the 11th Missouri Volunteer Regiment and fought at the siege of Corinth.
He assumed command of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division in the Army of the Mississippi and led it into action at the battle of Corinth. He was wounded in the neck and taken prisoner by Confederate forces but he was recovered by Union soldiers the same day.
He was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on November 29, 1862. He recovered from his wounds and returned to command a brigade during the Vicksburg Campaign and siege of Vicksburg where he caught the attention of William T. Sherman.
He commanded the 1st Division of the Right Wing, 16th Army Corps at the Battle of Tupelo.
He was promoted to major general on August 12, 1864, and General Sherman ordered Mower to join the Union forces in Atlanta. He commanded the 1st Division of the 17th Army Corps during the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. His division played a significant role in the battles of Salkehatchie and Bentonville.
Sherman made him commander of 20th Army Corps in the Army of Georgia late in the war.
After the fighting had ceased he sailed for Texas along with General Gordon Granger. He was placed in command of the District of Eastern Texas.
He died in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 6, 1870.
