Background
Lewis Golding Arnold was born in January 15, 1817 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, United States to Bowley and Martha (Langstaff) Arnold.
Lewis Golding Arnold was born in January 15, 1817 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, United States to Bowley and Martha (Langstaff) Arnold.
Arnold graduated from the Military Academy in 1837.
Upon his graduation from the Academy he was commissioned in the 2nd Artillery and served with it in the Florida War, in the removal of the Cherokee Nation to the West, and at various northern stations.
Accompanying Gen. Scott's army in its campaign against the City of Mexico, he was wounded slightly at the siege of Vera Cruz and severely in storming the bridgehead at Churubusco, and was twice brevetted for gallantry in action.
He had further field service against the Seminoles during the hostilities of 1853-1856. The beginning of 1861 found him stationed at Fort Independence, in Boston harbor. Just at this time the Washington government showed a flash of spirit, and took measures to hold the southern forts which had not already fallen into secessionist hands. Arnold was sent to Florida to occupy Fort Jefferson, in the Dry Tortugas, which, though commonly referred to in swelling phrases as the Gibraltar of America and the key of the Gulf, was still an unfinished work, ungarrisoned, and with no guns mounted.
By tremendous exertions Arnold put it into a state of defense, bringing guns over from Key West, where there was a considerable surplus. As Fort Jefferson was never attacked, its very existence is now generally forgotten; but if the Confederacy had developed a strong navy, or had concluded an alliance with a naval power, the possession of this fortress would have been of high importance to the United States. This should be remembered in estimating the merit of Arnold's achievement.
He was promoted to major in May, and in August was transferred to Fort Pickens, which had remained in Unionist hands from the beginning, although the city of Pensacola was held by the enemy. Though a regiment of undisciplined volunteers, largely officered by incompetents, made up the greater part of the garrison, a Confederate raid on Santa Rosa Island, where the fort is situated, was beaten off in October.
Arnold was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, January 24, 1862, and was soon after assigned to the command of the department of Florida. Transferred to New Orleans in October, he drew near to service in the field, but was stricken with apoplexy while reviewing his troops, and on November 10, 1862, was granted sick leave from which he never returned to duty.
He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in the regular army in August 1863, but as it became evident that he was permanently paralyzed he was placed on the retired list, February 8, 1864.
Arnold was a cheerful, companionable man, with a strong sense of humor and "a laugh peculiar to himself. " He was a strict disciplinarian, but careful and considerate of his men.
Arnold was married to Julia Murdock (Lowd) Arnold, they had six children.
