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General Henry Warner Slocum was born #OTD in 1827, in Onondaga County, NY, near Syracuse. He finished school at age 16 and was certified to teach, which he did for five years before accepting an appointment to @WestPoint_USMA In 1848. #CivilWar
Slocum was roommates with General Philip Sheridan, who credited him with helping him pass mathematics and stay at the Academy. Graduating in 1852, Slocum was commissioned into the 1st US Artillery and served during the 3rd Seminole War.
Having studied law during his service, Slocum resigned his commission in 1856 and began a law practice in Syracuse. He also served in the New York State Assembly, and was a Colonel and artillery instructor in the New York State Militia.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Slocum was made Colonel of the 27th New York Infantry. He led the regiment at the First Battle of Bull Run ( @ManassasNPS), where he was wounded. Promoted to Brigadier General, Slocum commanded a division of VI Corps during the Seven Days Battles.
Slocum became the 2nd youngest man promoted to Major General of Volunteers on July 4, 1862, and continued to command his division at the Battle of South Mountain. He was made commander of XII Corps after General Joseph Mansfield was killed at the Battle of @Antietamnps1862.
Slocum would lead the Corps for most of the next two years, serving with distinction at the Battle of Chancellorsville, and again at the Battle of @GettysburgNMP, where he commanded the Army of the Potomac’s entire right wing, successfully defending Culp’s Hill.
Slocum and his Corps were transferred to the Western Theater in the Fall of 1863, where he balked at serving under General Joseph Hooker after his horrible experience under his command at Chancellorsville. Rather than resign, Slocum commanded the District of @VicksburgNPS.
After the death of General James McPherson during the Atlanta Campaign, General William T. Sherman appointed Slocum to command the new XX Corps, which included the troops of his old XII Corps. He and his men were the first to enter Atlanta when it fell.
For Sherman’s ensuing March to the Sea and Carolina’s Campaign, Slocum commanded the Army of Georgia, which comprised Sherman’s left wing. This included a key role in the Theater’s final major battle at @BentonvilleSHS, NC.
After the war, Slocum left the @USArmy and settled in Brooklyn. He practiced law, and served in the @USHouseHistory as a Democrat for three terms. He died in 1894, and is buried in @GreenwoodCem in Brooklyn.
