Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert | |
---|---|
General Alfred Thomas Torbert
|
|
Born |
Georgetown, Delaware |
July 1, 1833
Died | August 29, 1880 Atlantic Ocean (off Cape Canaveral, Florida) |
(aged 47)
Place of burial | Methodist Episcopal Cemetery, Milford, Delaware |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1855–1866 |
Rank | Brevet Major General |
Commands held |
1st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry First New Jersey Brigade |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert (July 1, 1833 – August 29, 1880) was a career United States Army officer, a Union Army General commanding both infantry and cavalry forces in the American Civil War, and a U.S. diplomat.
Torbert was born in Georgetown, Delaware. He graduated 21st in a class of 34 from the United States Military Academy in 1855 and was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Infantry Regiment. His West Point roommate was William B. Hazen.
Just before the start of the Civil War, Torbert was appointed a first lieutenant in the Confederate States Army on March 16, 1861, but he refused the appointment and remained a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. By September 16, he was appointed colonel of the 1st New Jersey Infantry and, by August 29, 1862, he was a brigade commander in the VI Corps of the Army of the Potomac. In the Maryland Campaign of 1862, he was wounded at Crampton's Gap in the Battle of South Mountain. He was promoted to brigadier general on November 29, 1862. Torbert commanded his New Jersey brigade in the campaigns leading to the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and the Battle of Gettysburg.