| William Kerley Strong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1805-04-30)April 30, 1805 Duanesburg, New York |
| Died | March 16, 1867(1867-03-16) (aged 61) New York |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands | District of Cairo District of St. Louis |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Mary Hart |
| Children | John Lorimer |
| Other work | merchant |
William Kerley Strong (1805–1867) was a merchant and a brigadier general during the American Civil War. He was the commander of Benton Barracks and the districts of Cairo and St. Louis. Strong was also a prominent Democrat, noted his pro-Union speeches.
Biography
Strong was a wealthy wool merchant in New York. He was born on April 30, 1805, in Duanesburg, New York to Josiah Strong and Martha Green. Strong's father was an American Revolutionary War veteran who had fought in the Battle of Trenton under George Washington.
Strong was married to Helen Mary Hart and they had 9 children, among whom John Lorimer, and Helen Hart, spouse of Henry Piffard.
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In 1839, Strong was noted for constructing a sprawling grand mansion covering 11,634 feet of living space. The property called Rose Hill Mansion was given to Robert Swan in 1850. A contemporaneous newspaper report cited that the property, which was designated a national historic landmark, was sold to Swan's father, who gave it to him as a wedding present.
Strong died on March 16, 1867. He never recovered from his injuries after he was thrown out of his carriage.
Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Strong was travelling around Egypt. He helped the Union cause by securing weapons in France on his way home. An account cited that because of his pro-Union speeches, he gained the attention of Abraham Lincoln, who appointed him as brigadier general. He was not assigned to field duty but made commander of the Benton Barracks in Missouri. In 1862, he was appointed commander of the District of Cairo, Illinois, replacing General Eleazar A. Paine, who was reassigned for violating orders. Strong was sent to New York for an unknown mission before he was appointed the commander of the District of St. Louis from June to October 1863. He resigned his commission on October 20.
Strong was also appointed as the president of a commission that investigated the circumstances behind the evacuation of the Union forces in New Madrid, Missouri.
After the war, he settled in New York and started employing Black workers.
References
- ^ Jones, Terry L. (2002). Historical Dictionary of the Civil War, Volume 1. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 1381. ISBN 0-8108-4112-6.
- Eicher, John; Eicher, David (2002). Civil War High Commands. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. p. 517. ISBN 978-0-8047-8035-3.
- ^ Dwight, Benjamin W. (1871). The history of the descendants of Elder John Strong, of Northampton, Mass. Dalcassian Publishing Company. p. 1422.
- ^ Williams, Deborah (2009). Explorer's Guide Erie Canal: A Great Destination: Exploring New York's Great Canals. Woodstock, VT: The Countryman Press. p. 137. ISBN 978-1-58157-080-9.
- "William Kerley Strong". Asbury Park Press. 2002-09-29. p. 97. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
- "1 Jul 1986, Page 9 - Democrat and Chronicle at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- ^ Hannings, Bud (2010). Every Day of the Civil War: A Chronological Encyclopedia. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-7864-4464-9.
- "Henry W. Halleck to Brigadier General George W. Cullum, Cairo regarding Genl. William K. Strong and Genl. Paine - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital". www.americanhistory.amdigital.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-02-22.