USA Bio Erasmus D. Keyes

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Erasmus D. Keyes (b. 1810, d. 1895) Prominant in early battles of the Civil War, the end of the great conflict found Erasmus Darwin Keyes concerned with ledger sheets than casualty counts. Keyes, who had commanded a brigade at First Bull Run and a Corps through the Peninsular Campaign, was a San Francisco businessman when the Civil War ended. He had resigned his commission and moved west in May of 1864 after differences with his superior, Gen John A. Dix. Keyes was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, May 29, 1810. His father, a doctor, moved the family to Kennebec County, Maine, when Erasmus was a young boy. Keyes received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy from Maine and graduated with the Class of 1832 (10th of 45). His pre-Civil War military duty was “glittering” (Ezra Warner’s Generals in Blue), although it did not include service in the Mexican War. He served on the frontier, at Fort Monroe and in Charleston during the nullification crisis. He did have a stint as a West Point instructor. He was a favorite of Gen. Winfield Scott, who had Keyes as an aide three different times. His duties included service in different branches of the army and by the time the war started, he was colonel of the 11th Infantry. At First Bull Run, Keyes commanded the First Brigade in Gen. Tyler’s First Division. While his men In August of 1861, he was promoted to brigadier general, third on the army list, to rank from May 17. When Gen. McClellan formed his army for a campaign against Richmond, Pres. Abraham Lincoln took it upon himself to assign corps commanders and Keyes was given the IV Corps with the divisions of Darius Couch, William F. Smith and Silas Casey. He led IV Corps in the Peninsular Campaign. Keyes was promoted to major general of volunteers May 5, 1862. After being beaten at Seven Pines, the IV Corps spent much of the rest of the campaign escorting wagons. It had a support role at Malvern Hill, guarding the retreat back to Harrison’s Landing. When the Army of the Potomac left the Peninsula, much of IV Corps was left behind at Yorktown to become part of Dix’s Department of Virginia. Eventually, most of the units were sent to North Carolina in December of 1862. Reinforcements from units based in Yorktown, Williamsburg and Suffolk brought IV Corps back to strength. When the Army of Northern Virginia went north for the Gettysburg Campaign, Keyes slowly advanced on Richmond to draw Confederate troops away from going north. The Richmond garrison hit Keyes’ rear guard at Baltimore Cross Roads. The forces of IV Corps were sent north to defend Pennsylvania, but the War Department refused to let Keyes command them. Dix refused to take Keyes back as a commander and he was relieved of duty July 15, 1863. Keyes asked for an official investigation of Dix, but was turned down. The IV Corps troops were redistributed to the XI and XXII Corps with the XVIII Corps getting those left when the IV Corps was abolished Aug. 1, 1863. Keyes served on various boards and commissions before he resigned May 6, 1864, and moved to San Francisco. As a civilian, Keyes prospered as a gold miner, winemaker and banker. While on a trip to Europe, Keyes died in Nice, France, Oct. 14, 1895. He is buried at West Point.

[jkBluesman]

His troops must have been the ones why D.H. Hill held back two of Pickett's brigades. Interesting story.
Was it Dix who became winemaker and banker or Keyes?
Do you know why he was buried at West Point?

[Battleline]

Keyes. Good catch! Thanks.

[Gil R.]

Copied. Thanks.

[Gil R.]

And here's Keyes, with some questions:


Maj. Gen. Erasmus Darwin Keyes (b. 1810, d. 1895). Prominent in early battles of the Civil War, the end of the great conflict found Keyes concerned with ledger sheets rather than casualty counts. Keyes, who had commanded a brigade at First Bull Run and a corps during the Peninsular Campaign, was a San Francisco businessman when the Civil War ended, having resigned his commission and moved west in May of 1864 after differences with his superior, Gen. John A. Dix. Keyes was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1810. His father, a doctor, moved the family to Kennebec County, Maine, when Erasmus was a young boy. Keyes received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated with the Class of 1832 (10th of 45). His pre-Civil War military duty was “glittering,” according to one historian, although it did not include service in the Mexican War. Over a period of nearly twenty years, Keyes served on the frontier, at Fort Monroe and in Charleston during the nullification crisis, and also had a stint as a West Point instructor. Keyes was a favorite of Gen. Winfield Scott, who had Keyes as an aide three different times. His duties over the years included service in different branches of the army (Heidler doesn’t say anything about this – is it necessary to mention different branches? It’s already clear that he held a number of posts.) and by the time the Civil War started, he was Colonel of the 11th U.S. Infantry. At the First Battle of Bull Run, Keyes commanded the 1st Brigade in Gen. Daniel Tyler’s 1st Division. While his men in August of 1861 (Something’s missing here), he was promoted to brigadier general, third on the army list, to rank from May 17. When Gen. Geroge B. McClellan formed his Army of the Potomac for a campaign against Richmond, Pres. Abraham Lincoln took it upon himself to assign corps commanders, and Keyes was given the IV Corps (Does this mean he was something of a political choice?) with the divisions of Gens. Darius Couch, William F. Smith and Silas Casey. Keyes led IV Corps in the Peninsular Campaign of spring-summer 1862, gaining promotion to major general of volunteers May 5, 1862. After being beaten at Seven Pines, the IV Corps spent much of the rest of the campaign escorting wagons, though it played a support role at Malvern Hill by guarding the retreat back to Harrison’s Landing. When the Army of the Potomac left the Yorktown Peninsula, much of IV Corps was left behind at Yorktown to become part of Dix’s Department of Virginia. By the end of December, most of the units in the corps had been sent to North Carolina, but reinforcements from units based in Yorktown, Williamsburg and Suffolk brought it back to strength. When the Army of Northern Virginia went north for the Gettysburg Campaign, Keyes slowly advanced on Richmond in order to draw Confederate troops away from this thrust into Pennsyvlania. The Richmond garrison hit Keyes’ rear guard at Baltimore Cross Roads (So was this a defeat for Keyes? It’s unclear. Also, from Heidler I get the sense that this occurred in June, but the fallout came in July. This would make sense, since in the next sentence we find out about IV Corps heading up to defend Pennsylvania, which makes less sense after Gettysburg, unless they were essentially meant to prevent a return of the ANV.). The forces of IV Corps were sent north to defend Pennsylvania, but the War Department refused to let Keyes command them. Dix refused to take Keyes back as a commander, and he was relieved of command on July 15, 1863. Keyes asked for an official investigation of Dix (Why?), but was turned down. The IV Corps troops were redistributed to the XI and XXII Corps, with the XVIII Corps getting those left when the IV Corps was abolished on August 1, 1863 (Was this because of Keyes, or just part of a reshuffling that happened after Gettysburg? If the latter, it strikes me as not relevant to the bio.). Though no longer a field commander, Keyes continued to serve in the army, sitting on a retirement board in New York City until he resigned his commission on May 6, 1864 and moved to San Francisco. In civilian life, Keyes prospered as a gold miner, winemaker and banker. While on a trip to Europe, Keyes died in Nice, France, on October 14, 1895; his body was returned for burial at West Point. (Bio by Bill Battle)

Leadership: 3
Tactical: 1
Initiative: 2
Command: 2
Cavalry:

Start date: 14
“Death” date: 80

Teaches: None

[Battleline]

I'll address the questions within the next two days. Just wanted to let you know I didn't fall off the earth or anything, but have been slammed at work recently with several new projects. I also am trying to make sure I shoehorn as much useful information into McClellan. I've been working on that bio for the past two weeks, when I get a few moments here or there.
Thanks,
Battleline

[Battleline]

Different Branches-The only reason I put this in was so when you rated the generals, you would know that Keyes had experience in infantry, cavalry and artillery, which were considered the branches then, unlike what we consider the different branches today (army, navy, etc.).
As for Keyes' selection as IV Corps commander, Lincoln selected all of the original corps commanders (or rubber stamped the selections of his advisors). Exactly why he did this, I'm not fully certain.
From the different sources I studied, Keyes was to demonstrate toward Richomond early during the Gettysburg Campaign (after the Federals realized ANV was moving north) to try to make sure the Confederacy didn't send more troops north. Dix wasn't happy with how Keyes went about this and the rearguard was hit as they were pulling back, which was another minus for Keyes. The IV Corps troops were sent north to contain projected Confederate thrusts.
Keyes and Dix didn't get along, imagine that! Dix wouldn't take Keyes back as a commander, so Keyes wanted to get his position back, seeing the military justice system as the most logical way.
I'm certain the Keyes-Dix feud had something about Keyes being removed from command with Gettysburg being used as a convenient excuse.
Hope that helps,
Battleline

[Gil R.]

Thanks for the extra input. I've used it to revise the bio. Please check this over to make sure I got it right. And also, there's still one part that doesn't make sense the way it's written, since something seems to have been left out.


Maj. Gen. Erasmus Darwin Keyes (b. 1810, d. 1895). Prominent in early battles of the Civil War, the end of the great conflict found Keyes concerned with ledger sheets rather than casualty counts. Keyes, who had commanded a brigade at First Bull Run and a corps during the Peninsular Campaign, was a San Francisco businessman when the Civil War ended, having resigned his commission and moved west in May of 1864 after differences with his superior, Gen. John A. Dix. Keyes was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1810. His father, a doctor, moved the family to Kennebec County, Maine, when Erasmus was a young boy. Keyes received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated with the Class of 1832 (10th of 45). His pre-Civil War military duty was “glittering,” according to one historian, although it did not include service in the Mexican War. Over a period of nearly twenty years, Keyes served on the frontier, at Fort Monroe and in Charleston during the nullification crisis, and also had a stint as a West Point instructor. Keyes was a favorite of Gen. Winfield Scott, who had Keyes as an aide three different times. His duties over the years included service with the infantry, cavalry and artillery, and by the time the Civil War started, he was Colonel of the 11th U.S. Infantry. At the First Battle of Bull Run, Keyes commanded the 1st Brigade in Gen. Daniel Tyler’s 1st Division. While his men in August of 1861 (Something’s missing here), he was promoted to brigadier general, third on the army list, to rank from May 17. When Gen. Geroge B. McClellan formed his Army of the Potomac for a campaign against Richmond, Pres. Abraham Lincoln took it upon himself to assign corps commanders, and Keyes was given the IV Corps with the divisions of Gens. Darius Couch, William F. Smith and Silas Casey. Keyes led IV Corps in the Peninsular Campaign of spring-summer 1862, gaining promotion to major general of volunteers May 5, 1862. After being beaten at Seven Pines, the IV Corps spent much of the rest of the campaign escorting wagons, though it played a support role at Malvern Hill by guarding the retreat back to Harrison’s Landing. When the Army of the Potomac left the Yorktown Peninsula, much of IV Corps was left behind at Yorktown to become part of Dix’s Department of Virginia. By the end of December, most of the units in the corps had been sent to North Carolina, but reinforcements from units based in Yorktown, Williamsburg and Suffolk brought it back to strength. When the Army of Northern Virginia was moving north for the Gettysburg Campaign, Keyes advanced on Richmond in order to draw Confederate troops away from this thrust into Pennsylvania; but, when his slow approach displeased Dix and he was ordered to pull back, the Richmond garrison hit his rear guard at Baltimore Cross Roads. In the aftermath, the forces of IV Corps were sent north to defend Pennsylvania, but the War Department refused to let Keyes command them (and they were subsequently redistributed to three other corps). Dix refused to take Keyes back as a commander, and he was relieved of command on July 15, 1863. Keyes, attempting to regain his position, asked for an official investigation of Dix, but was turned down. Though no longer a field commander, Keyes continued to serve in the army, sitting on a retirement board in New York City until he resigned his commission on May 6, 1864 and moved to San Francisco. In civilian life, Keyes prospered as a gold miner, winemaker and banker. While on a trip to Europe, Keyes died in Nice, France, on October 14, 1895; his body was returned for burial at West Point. (Bio by Bill Battle)

[Battleline]

Just take out the "While his men in August of 1861" and start the sentence with "He was promoted . . ."
Ever get into a situation where you're trying to put together information one way, find some new relevent information, and forget to rewrite the whole sentence? Thankfully that happens less often than one would think!
Thanks,
Battleline

[Gil R.]

Yeah, I've done that, and thought it might be the case here. So, looks like Keyes as good and ready. The final version:


Maj. Gen. Erasmus Darwin Keyes (b. 1810, d. 1895). Prominent in early battles of the Civil War, the end of the great conflict found Keyes concerned with ledger sheets rather than casualty counts. Keyes, who had commanded a brigade at First Bull Run and a corps during the Peninsular Campaign, was a San Francisco businessman when the Civil War ended, having resigned his commission and moved west in May of 1864 after differences with his superior, Gen. John A. Dix. Keyes was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1810. His father, a doctor, moved the family to Kennebec County, Maine, when Erasmus was a young boy. Keyes received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated with the Class of 1832 (10th of 45). His pre-Civil War military duty was “glittering,” according to one historian, although it did not include service in the Mexican War. Over a period of nearly twenty years, Keyes served on the frontier, at Fort Monroe and in Charleston during the nullification crisis, and also had a stint as a West Point instructor. Keyes was a favorite of Gen. Winfield Scott, who had Keyes as an aide three different times. His duties over the years included service with the infantry, cavalry and artillery, and by the time the Civil War started, he was Colonel of the 11th U.S. Infantry. At the First Battle of Bull Run, Keyes commanded the 1st Brigade in Gen. Daniel Tyler’s 1st Division. He was promoted to brigadier general, third on the army list, to rank from May 17. When Gen. Geroge B. McClellan formed his Army of the Potomac for a campaign against Richmond, Pres. Abraham Lincoln took it upon himself to assign corps commanders, and Keyes was given the IV Corps with the divisions of Gens. Darius Couch, William F. Smith and Silas Casey. Keyes led IV Corps in the Peninsular Campaign of spring-summer 1862, gaining promotion to major general of volunteers May 5, 1862. After being beaten at Seven Pines, the IV Corps spent much of the rest of the campaign escorting wagons, though it played a support role at Malvern Hill by guarding the retreat back to Harrison’s Landing. When the Army of the Potomac left the Yorktown Peninsula, much of IV Corps was left behind at Yorktown to become part of Dix’s Department of Virginia. By the end of December, most of the units in the corps had been sent to North Carolina, but reinforcements from units based in Yorktown, Williamsburg and Suffolk brought it back to strength. When the Army of Northern Virginia was moving north for the Gettysburg Campaign, Keyes advanced on Richmond in order to draw Confederate troops away from this thrust into Pennsylvania; but, when his slow approach displeased Dix and he was ordered to pull back, the Richmond garrison hit his rear guard at Baltimore Cross Roads. In the aftermath, the forces of IV Corps were sent north to defend Pennsylvania, but the War Department refused to let Keyes command them (and they were subsequently redistributed to three other corps). Dix refused to take Keyes back as a commander, and he was relieved of command on July 15, 1863. Keyes, attempting to regain his position, asked for an official investigation of Dix, but was turned down. Though no longer a field commander, Keyes continued to serve in the army, sitting on a retirement board in New York City until he resigned his commission on May 6, 1864 and moved to San Francisco. In civilian life, Keyes prospered as a gold miner, winemaker and banker. While on a trip to Europe, Keyes died in Nice, France, on October 14, 1895; his body was returned for burial at West Point. (Bio by Bill Battle)