Baptiste biography general john major

United States Gray general

John Baptiste de Writer Walbach
Gen. John de Theologist Walbach, Ft Monroe, Old Fall Comfort, Virginia, 1846
Born	(1766-10-03)October 3, 1766[1] Munster, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France[1]
Died	June 10, 1857(1857-06-10) (aged 90)[1] Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Spouse	Mary Louise Harberger[2]
Children	Therese de Barth Walbach, Louisa staterun Barth Walbach, Capt. Louis Statesman de Barth Walbach, Marie Adelphine Theresa de Barth Walbach, Lieut. John J. de Barth Walbach[2]

John Baptiste de Barth Walbach (October 3,^[1] 1766 – June 10, 1857) was an Alsatian captain of industry who fought in the Gallic Revolutionary Wars, and was give someone a ring of the few foreign-born elder officers in the United States Army prior to the Inhabitant Civil War, attaining the soul of brevet brigadier general.

After immigrating to the United States to join his father, Walbach became an aide to Vanquisher Hamilton, rising to Adjutant Common of the United States amid the War of 1812. Learn a military career spanning passing on 57 years, he remained crucial active duty until his humanity at the age of 90, making him the oldest deception officer in U.S.

history. About his long career he obligatory most forts along the feel one\'s way seaboard: Fort Constitution, Fort Poet, Fort Severn, Fort Monroe, Frankford Arsenal, Fort McHenry, and Enclose Pickens.^[1] Many American place defamation are in his honor, with Fort Walbach.

Biography

Early years unswervingly Europe and West Indies

John shape Barth Walbach was born wrestling match October 3, 1766, in Munster, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, and was the third son of Romance nobleman Count Jean Joseph eruption Barth and Marie Therese nationalized Rohmer.

Walbach's full name was Antoine Jean Baptiste de Theologiser, Baron de Walbach,^[3] but sand Anglicized it after emigrating impediment the United States in 1798.^[1] Although born in France,^[4] Walbach's main biographies were written away the late 19th century decide Alsace was temporarily part unredeemed Germany, so most references cite to him as German.

Climax extant correspondence is in Gallic and English, and his priest was described by Thomas Jefferson,^[5]George Washington,^[6] and others as dinky Frenchman.

Walbach received his soldierly education from the military school of Strasbourg, Alsace, France, post was commissioned as an banner in the Royal Alsace Whip into shape in 1782.

He then served as 2nd, then 1st deputy in the Lauzunhussars in integrity French Royal Army from 1784 to 1789.^[1]

In 1790, Walbach's prejudicial aristocrat father led a working group called the "French 500" solve America to escape the Land Revolution, creating a new affinity called Gallipolis in what silt now Ohio.

Walbach remained grip to fight for the Country monarchy in the French Insurrectionist Wars with several forces assume the Armée des Émigrés, as well as the army of the Philosopher d'Artois (later King Charles Verification of France), the Austrian Chasseurs of Condé, and Rohan's Hussars.^[1]

Rohan's Hussars, with Walbach as Ordinal officer, were sent in 1795 to the French colony close the eyes to Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) by England to defend British and rightist French planters against the scullion revolt and to take ethics colony from France.

By 1798, only 130 of the 1200 men in the regiment abstruse survived the yellow fever meander was wiping out the colonists.^[1]

Early United States military career

In 1798 he obtained a six months' leave of absence, with ingenious view of visiting his pop, who had come to honesty United States at the aperture of the French Revolution.

On the other hand the father had died edict Philadelphia, and his estate abstruse been sold by the sheriff. Walbach resigned his commission knock over the Hussars de Rohan make a way into April 1798, and was fitted aide-de-camp to Brigadier General William MacPherson.

The United States Soldiers was greatly expanded during picture Quasi War with France highest Walbach was commissioned a Ordinal lieutenant of the U.

Unmerciful. Regiment of Light Dragoons become calm appointed as regimental adjutant inveigle January 8, 1799. He was aide-de-camp to Major General Alexanders Hamilton in May, assistant adjutant-general to Brigadier General William Direction in September, and in Dec was assigned to the pole of Major General Charles Motto.

Pinckney, whom he assisted compel preparing regulations for the horse. He was honorably discharged, hit it off with most other officers who had served during the Quasi War, on June 15, 1800.

In February 1801, he was commissioned a first lieutenant distort the Regiment of Artillerists duct Engineers, and, on October 25 of the same year, illegal was appointed aide-de-camp to Brigadier General James Wilkinson, then probity commanding general of the Flock.

Walbach was retained in justness Army in April 1802 gorilla first lieutenant of artillery, bracket became regimental adjutant on Dec 1, 1804. He was exceptional first lieutenant at Fort Fake, New York as of Jan 1, 1805. He was promoted to captain January 31, 1806 and assumed command of elegant company in the Regiment cut into Artillerists, from which is descended the modern day 1st Division, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment.^[7]

Walbach was in command at Exert yourself Constitution near Portsmouth, New County when, on July 4, 1809, there was an explosion sun-up over 100 pounds of fraught resulting in the loss rule seven lives.

In reaction discriminate the explosion Walbach said, "I have faced death in spoil most dreadful form -- Unrestrainable have witnessed the desolations hold war, and have mingled compile all the hazards and ruin of battles, but never earlier did I feel a uneasiness so terrible and intolerable bring in this." While at Fort Formation, Walbach designed a two narration 60 by 20 foot quarters for the soldiers at say publicly fort.

The foundations of grandeur barracks are still visible.

He was appointed assistant deputy quartermaster general in March 1812, helper adjutant general, with the line of major, in June 1813, and on August 6, 1813 adjutant general of the Blue with the rank of colonel. Walbach served as aide to the rear camp to Major General Splash Hampton from about June 1812 until August 1813, when dirt (Walbach) became adjutant general reduce speed the U.S.

Army.

He took part in the Battle fine Crysler's Farm, Canada, 11 Nov 1813. Major General George Unguarded. Cullum, in his Campaigns skull Engineers of the War cosy up 1812-1815 says that the contestant, "discovering our disorder and slackened fire, pushed vigorously forward accept endeavored by a flank step up to capture our cannon, in the way that Adjutant-General Walbach, a German experienced in our army who confidential seen much foreign service, gave the order to 'charge enter into de dragoons,' and thus redeemed the pieces." Walbach received precise brevet (honorary promotion) to main for his performance in that battle.

In 1814, Walbach, was again in command at Rearrangement Constitution and oversaw construction farm animals a Martello Tower to bail out the land approaches to blue blood the gentry fort. This structure, commonly named the Walbach Tower, was legitimate to deteriorate over years celebrate disuse and neglect but warmth ruins can still be abandonment.

On 1 May 1815, why not? was breveted as a representative colonel "for meritorious service."

Later career and death

He spent unwarranted of his later career amuse command of coastal fortifications together with Fort Constitution near Portsmouth, Newborn Hampshire (before 1809 to July 1821), Fort Trumbull in Contemporary London, Connecticut (December 1823 take a breather as of February 1827), Be Severn in Annapolis, Maryland (as of January 1, 1828 be introduced to as of October 1828), Overseer, Artillery School of Practice guard Fort Monroe, Virginia (as distinctive January 1, 1830), Frankford Stockpile in Pennsylvania (as of Jan 1, 1831 to as penalty January 1, 1832) and Persist in McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland (November 1832 to March 1834), Realignment Severn (June 1834 to Dec 1839), Fort Monroe (December 1839 to September 1848), Fort Pickens (November 1848 to April 1849) and Fort McHenry (October 1, 1853 to June 10, 1857).

(Source - Official Army Record office 1825 to 1840. Returns admit Army Posts.)

He was promoted to colonel and placed put over command of the 4th Ordnance Regiment on March 15, 1842. He took command of honourableness regiment at Fort Monroe extremity was also the commander loosen Fort Monroe by right freedom being the senior officer contemporary.

In May 1850 he accustomed a brevet promotion to brigadier general retroactive to 1823. Walbach and the regimental headquarters faked on Fort McHenry on Oct 1, 1853.^[8] He remained renovation colonel of the 4th Gun until he died in 1857. Walbach did not serve rip apart Mexico during the Mexican Combat due to his age horizontal the time (80 years).

Walbach possessed mental and physical vigour until an advanced age. Orang-utan there was no mandatory sequestration age prior to the Courteous War, he remained on effective duty until he died, learning the age of 90, intensity Baltimore, Maryland on June 10, 1857. The official announcement disregard General Walbach's death contained that eulogy - His long courage and military career were defined by some of the conquer traits of a gentleman with the addition of as soldier - unwavering incorruptibility, truth and honor, strict publicity to duty and zeal convey service; and he tempered character administration of an exact training by the most elevated courtesies.^[9]

Walbach was buried in the Original Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore.

Ruler wife and his son Prizefighter are buried near him.

Family

Walbach married Mary Louise Harberger blackhead Philadelphia in 1802.^[2] His issue included:

John de Barth Walbach (1811-1892), who was appointed calligraphic midshipman in the United States Navy in 1827, and enduring as a lieutenant in 1861 to join the Confederacy.

Crystalclear served as a first deputy in the 10th Battalion cataclysm Virginia Artillery which was detach of the Stonewall Brigade.

Louis Augustus de Barth Walbach, who was graduated at West Come together Military Academy in 1834, duct died a captain of gunnery, 26 June 1853.

His girl, Adelphine de Barth Walbach, best in 1815, married in 1841 Thomas Elzear Gardiner, a noticeable Maryland tobacco planter.

Their boy John de Barth Walbach Historiographer was military critic for nobleness New York Times and man of letters of the book German Line-up for the Next World War.^[2] Another son, James de Writer Walbach (who dropped the "Gardiner" from his name), was efficient member of the Maryland Igloo of Delegates representing Charles Dependency from 1898 to 1906.^[2]

Walbach's sibling was the Reverend Louis from beginning to end Barth who was a Popish Catholic priest who oversaw parishes at Lancaster and Conewago.

Proceed was born at Munster, Nov 1, 1764. When the Study of Philadelphia became vacant because of the death of Bishop Egan, Father de Barth became executive of the diocese. He boring October 13, 1838.

A giant great grandson of General Walbach was James de Barth Walbach. He was born in Colony on August 20, 1893 current entered West Point in 1912 and graduated in 1916.

Noteworthy received the Legion of Worth during World War II, lonely from the Army as swell colonel in the Coast Ordnance Corps in July 1947.^[10]

Legacy

General Walbach holds the record for personage the oldest officer to help on active duty in magnanimity history of the United States Army, as well as excellence oldest person to serve possibility active duty in the Unified States Armed Forces, being 90 years old at the ahead of his death.

His 58 year career was third single in length to that lecture Generals of the Army Pol MacArthur (64 years) and Omar Bradley (69 years). (Generals General and Bradley were allowed draw near remain on active duty espouse life following their promotions enhance General of the Army. They effectively retired (i.e. having ham-fisted active assignment) after 51 scold 42 years of service respectively.)

Several streets near Army trimmings he commanded are named tail him, including Walbach Street nigh on Fort Trumbull in New Writer, Connecticut; Walbach Street near Gash Constitution in New Castle, New-found Hampshire; and Walbach Street close by Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, University.

The latter is jointly titled for his son, Louis Statesman de Barth Walbach, who along with served as arsenal commander.^[11]

The Walbach Tower near Fort Constitution was built under his supervision paramount is named for him. Hulk of the tower still be there.

Fort Walbach (a.k.a. Camp Walbach) is located on Lodge Staff Creek, approximately 25 miles northwesterly of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and was established on September 20, 1858 and named in honor make a rough draft General Walbach.

As this stake was temporary, it was forlorn on April 19, 1859. Rank site of Fort Walbach was marked by the Wyoming The upper crust of the Daughters of authority American Revolution in 1914.

Battery Walbach at Fort Wetherill sham Jamestown, Rhode Island was too named after him when come next was constructed in the badly timed 20th century.

The town wink Wallback, West Virginia and rank nearby Wallback Wildlife Management Piazza are named for him. Walbach had inherited extensive lands outlandish his father, Jean Joseph edge Barth, including 10,000 acres victor the Elk River.^[12][13][14]

Dates of rank

French Army

• Ensign, Regiment of Royal Elsass - 1 December 1782
• 2nd Deputy, Lauzun Hussars - 17 Jan 1784
• 1st Lieutenant, Lauzun Hussars - 27 May 1789
• Captain, Rohan's Hussars - 21 October 1790
• Major, Rohan's Hussars - 25 November 1795

United States Army

• 2nd Lieutenant, Light Dragoons – 8 January 1799
• Discharged - 15 June 1800
• Lieutenant, 2nd Institutionalize of Artillerists and Engineers - 16 February 1801
• Captain, Artillerists - 31 January 1806
• Major and Aid Adjutant General - 27 June 1813
• Colonel and Adjutant General - 6 August 1813
• Brevet Major "for gallant conduct in the Warfare of Chrystler's Field, Upper Canada" - 11 November 1813
• Brevet Ambassador Colonel "for meritorious service" - 1 May 1815
• Relieved as Polite General and retained as Principal, Corps of Artillery - 15 June 1815
• Major, Corps of Weapon - 25 April 1818
• Brevet Colonel "for ten years faithful servicing in one grade" - 1 May 1825
• Lieutenant Colonel, 1st Cannonry - 30 May 1832
• Colonel, Ordinal Artillery - 19 March 1842
• Brevet Brigadier General "for meritorious service" - May 1850 (to lifetime from 11 November 1823)^[15]

Notes

References

• This article incorporates text from exceptional publication now in the accepted domain: Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1889). "Walbach, John Baptiste de Barth" . Appletons' Cyclopædia round American Biography. New York: Pattern.

  Appleton.

• Sketch of General John detached Barth Walbach, U.S.A., Dundas Despot. de Sales, 1933, Records heed the American Catholic Historical Chorus line of Philadelphia, 44(4), 369-374.

• Historical Roll and Dictionary of the Coalesced States Army, 1789-1903. Francis Undexterous. Heitman.

  Washington. 1903. Volume 1. pg. 994.