Robert Sanford Foster
| Robert Sanford Foster | |
|---|---|
Robert Sanford Foster
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Sandy" |
| Born |
January 27, 1834 Vernon, Indiana |
| Died | March 3, 1903 (aged 69) Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Place of burial | Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank |
 Brevet Major General
|
| Commands held | 13th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | U.S. Marshal |
Robert Sanford Foster (January 27, 1834 – March 3, 1903) was a Union general during the American Civil War. He played a prominent role in the siege of Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign.
Foster was born in Vernon, Indiana in 1834. He moved to Indianapolis to learn the trade of being a tinner.
Foster enlisted as a private of Indiana volunteers at the onset of the Civil War. He was quickly promoted to captain in Lew Wallace's 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment and saw action at the Battle of Rich Mountain in western Virginia. Following these battles he was transferred to the 13th Regiment Indiana Infantry as major and shortly after promoted to colonel on April 30, 1862. Foster led his regiment during Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign of 1862 until his regiment was transferred to southeast Virginia in the vicinity of Suffolk.
Foster took command of a brigade in John J. Peck's division at Suffolk. When James Longstreet threatened Suffolk in 1863, Peck's garrison eventually rose to the size of three divisions. Foster commanded the 2nd Brigade in Michael Corcoran's 1st Division. During the subsequent Siege of Suffolk Foster's brigade manned the southwest front of the city's defenses. Following the lifting of the siege, Foster was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on June 12, 1863.
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