John W. Caldwell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John W. Caldwell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883 | |
| Preceded by | Charles W. Milliken |
| Succeeded by | John Edward Halsell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 15, 1837 |
| Died | July 4, 1903 (aged 66) Russellville, Kentucky |
| Resting place | Maple Grove Cemetery, Russellville, Kentucky |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sallie J. Barclay |
| Alma mater | Bethel College University of Louisville |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John William Caldwell (January 15, 1837 – July 4, 1903) was a U.S. representative from Kentucky.
John W. Caldwell was born in Russellville, Kentucky, on January 15, 1837.[1] He was the son of Austin and Louisa (Harrison) Caldwell.[2] Austin Caldwell died in 1843, leaving John Caldwell as his only living child.[3] With the duties of caring for his father's estate, Caldwell was only able to attend the common schools of Logan and Christian Counties until age fourteen.[3] In 1850, he moved with his uncle, Dr. Robert Peyton Harrison, to Texas, where he worked on a farm, as a clerk, and as a surveyor.[1][3]
At age nineteen, Caldwell returned to Kentucky.[3] He studied law with William Morton, a well-known lawyer in his family.[3] In 1856, he matriculated to the University of Louisville School of Law, completing a junior year course of study with honors.[3] He graduated from the university in 1857, was admitted to the bar in 1858, and commenced practice in Russellville, Kentucky.[1][3]
Caldwell married Sallie J. Barclay, and the couple had one son and two daughters.[3]
Civil War service
Although he opposed secession, Caldwell volunteered as a private in the Confederate States Army in 1861.[3] He was immediately elected captain of the "Logan Grays", a Confederate company being recruited in Logan County.[3] When Confederate forces under Simon Bolivar Buckner entered Kentucky, Caldwell led the Grays to Bowling Green, where they became Company A of the 9th Kentucky Infantry under John C. Breckinridge.[3] After Albert Sidney Johnson's retreat from Bowling Green, Caldwell commanded the 9th Kentucky until relieved by Colonel Thomas H. Hunt on his return from New Orleans, Louisiana.[3]
At the Battle of Shiloh, Caldwell received several wounds, including a badly broken left arm.[3] Sixty-five percent of his company was killed or wounded in the battle.[3] Following the battle, he was promoted to major, and when the 9th Kentucky was reorganized six weeks later, he was elected its lieutenant colonel.[3] Thomas H. Hunt resigned his commission in 1863, and Caldwell was promoted to colonel and given command.[3] He sometimes also commanded the Orphan Brigade.[4]
Caldwell again broke his left arm at the Battle of Chickamauga.[3] Because of this, the Board of Army Surgeons offered him a medical retirement, but he declined, rejoining his regiment in Dalton, Georgia, two weeks later.[3] At the end of the war, he surrendered his forces at Washington, Georgia, and was paroled as a prisoner of war on May 6, 1865.[3]
