Hoosier General: Maj. Gen. Charles Cruft, USA

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Charles Cruft (b. 1826, d. 1883) A spectator at the first major fight in the Civil War, Charles Cruft ended the conflict with a brevet promotion to major general. Cruft was born Jan. 12, 1826, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was educated at Wabash College, graduating in 1842. After college, he worked as a teacher and bank clerk while studying law. He was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1848. In 1855, he was named president of the St. Louis, Alton and Terre Haute Railroad and served in this position until 1858. In July of 1861, he ventured into Virginia with other spectators to witness the Confederate victory at First Bull Run. He mustered into the army as a volunteer and was selected colonel of the 31st Indiana Infantry. By the time Cruft saw his first combat, he was commanding the 1st Brigade of Brig. Gen. Lew Wallace’s Third Division under Brig. Gen. U.S. Grant in the campaign against Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. His brigade consisted of the 31st Indiana, the 44th Indiana, the 17th Kentucky and the 25th Kentucky. During the fighting, Cruft was slightly wounded. When Grant’s forces were reorganized into the Army of the Tennessee, Cruft was back with the 31st Indiana in Brig. Gen. Jacob Lauman’s 3rd Brigade of Brig. Gen. Stephen Hurlbut’s Fourth Division. He was with this unit at the Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862). Hurlbut’s Division was one of those hit hard by the Confederate assault on the opening day. Falling back to a sunken road in the woods later known as the “Hornet’s Nest,” the division made its stand with other Federal units. Cruft urged his men and was targeted, being wounded in the leg and shoulder during the stand. Overall, the brigade lost 70 killed, 284 wounded and four missing. Cruft was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers to rank from July 16, 1862. At the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, Aug. 29-30, 1862, he led the 2nd Brigade of the Army of Kentucky. The Federals were routed and Cruft again was wounded in the fighting. Cruft’s next command was with the XIV Army Corps, which became the Army of the Cumberland. He commanded the 1st Brigade of Brig. Gen. John Palmer’s 4th Division (Maj. Gen. Thomas Crittenden’s Left Wing). At the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro) Dec. 31, 1862-Jan 3, 1863, Cruft’s forces originally formed on the Federal left, driving in Confederate skirmishers. In the fighting that followed, Cruft’s brigade repulsed Confederates under Brig. Gen. James Chalmers. Under threat of the brigade of Brig. Gen. Daniel Donelson, Cruft retired. Cruft’s men helped to form the final Federal defensive line, which held. Cruft was in brigade command at the Battle of Chickamauga. During the Chattanooga Campaign, Cruft was boosted to command the 1st Division of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger’s IV Army Corps in the Army of the Cumberland. On Nov. 24, 1863, Cruft’s division was one of three engaged in the Battle Above the Clouds (Lookout Mountain). The next day, Cruft’s division attacked along the ridge and helped to crush the Confederate left at the Battle of Missionary Ridge. After Chattanooga was secured, Granger’s IV Corps was sent to Knoxville to relieve a Confederate siege there. During the Atlanta Campaign, Cruft’s division had a minor role. After a foray into Alabama, At the Battle of Nashville, Cruft commanded the Provisional Division of the Army of the Cumberland, which was comprised mainly of Negro troops from the XIV, XV, XVII and XX Corps who had been unable to join their units in Georgia. Cruft ended the war stationed in Huntsville, Alabama, after being given a brevet promotion to major general March 5, 1865. After the war, Cruft returned to Terre Haute and resumed his law practice. He rose to Supreme Commandery, Knights Templar of the United States as a Mason. Cruft died in Terre Haute, Indiana, March 23, 1883, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery there.

[Gil R.]

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