Background
Gordon Granger was born on November 6, 1821, in Joy, Wayne County, New York. He was the son of Gaius and Catherine (Taylor) Granger. He was descended from Launcelot Granger, a taxpayer at Ipswich, Massachusets, in 1648.
Gordon Granger was born on November 6, 1821, in Joy, Wayne County, New York. He was the son of Gaius and Catherine (Taylor) Granger. He was descended from Launcelot Granger, a taxpayer at Ipswich, Massachusets, in 1648.
Entering West Point in 1841, Granger was graduated in 1845.
Granger was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry, but a year later was transferred to the newly organized Regiment of Mounted Riflemen (now the 3rd Cavalry).
Accompanying Scott’s army in the Mexican War, he was present at the siege of Vera Cruz, the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec, and the taking of the city of Mexico.
His subsequent service before the Civil War was practically all on the western frontier, involving some minor Indian hostilities. He was promoted first lieutenant in 1852 and captain in 1861.
He fought at Wilson’s Creek in August 1861, and his conduct there secured him an appointment in September as colonel of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry. In the operations against New Madrid and Island No. 10 during the spring of 1862 and in the advance upon Corinth, he commanded a brigade, having been appointed brigadier-general of volunteers early in the campaign on March 26, 1862.
He was made major-general of volunteers, September 17, 1862, and commanded a division in garrison and in minor operations in Kentucky and Tennessee until the summer of 1863, when he joined Rosecrans’s army for the campaign which culminated in the battle of Chickamauga on September 19 and 20. “Had Granger never rendered any other service to the nation than he did on that illustrious occasion, ” said Gen. T. J. Wood, “he would have been justly entitled to its lasting gratitude”; and Gen. G. W. Cullum adds, “Granger’s heroic bravery on that momentous Sunday afternoon in its inspiring influence was worth a thousand men. ”
When the whole right of the Union army was swept away, leaving Thomas, the “Rock of Chickamauga, ” precariously holding the position with his single corps, Granger, without orders, left the pass he was guarding several miles in the rear, and hurried forward with all available troops.
Attacking furiously with two brigades he drove back the Confederate troops on the right, who were already closing around Thomas’s corps.
Between three o’clock and sunset those two brigades lost forty- four percent, of their strength; some regiments, muskets empty and cartridge boxes empty, were at last fighting only with the bayonet; but Thomas held his ground till nightfall, the army was saved from total wreck, and to Granger belongs no small share of the credit.
During the remainder of the operations around Chattanooga, including the battle of Missionary Ridge, he commanded the IV Corps. He commanded sometimes a corps and sometimes a division in the relief of Knoxville, the operations against Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan, Alabama.
He was mustered out of the volunteer service on January 15, 1866, appointed a colonel of infantry in the regular army on July 28, 1866, and served as such until his death, which took place ten years later at Santa Fe, where he was stationed in command of the District of New Mexico.
Granger was outspoken and rough in manner, kindly and sympathetic at heart. His independence occasionally came near to insubordination, and at ordinary times he lacked energy.
It was only in a dire emergency that he would show the best of which he was capable. Therefore, “great in battle” though he was, Grant distrusted him and was unwilling to give him an important command. Chickamauga is' his greatest glory.
In 1869, Granger married Maria, daughter of Dr. Joseph P. Letcher of Lexington, Kentucky.