Years of service 1861–1901 Name Aaron Daggett | Rank Brigadier General Education Bates College | |
Born June 14, 1837Greene, Maine ( 1837-06-14 ) Allegiance United States of AmericaUnion Battles/wars American Civil WarIndian WarsSpanish–American War Died May 14, 1938, West Roxbury, Massachusetts, United States Books America in the China Relief Expedition Service/branch United States Army, Union Army | ||
Aaron Simon Daggett (June 14, 1837 – May 14, 1938) was the last surviving Union general of the American Civil War when he died at the age of 100. During the war, Daggett fought at West Point, Gaines' Mill, Golding's Farm, White Oak Swamp, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Rappahannock Station, and Fredericksburg.
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Early life and education
Daggett was born in Greene, Maine, in 1837 to Yankee parents, whose Puritan ancestors came to New England as part of the Puritan migration from England in 1630. Both of Daggett's grandfathers served in the Revolutionary War.
Daggett attended Bates College (then called the Maine State Seminary) in Lewiston, Maine, in 1860. He also attended the Monmouth Academy and Maine Wesleyan Academy.
Civil War
Daggett enlisted as a private in the 5th Maine Volunteers in April 1861, and became a second lieutenant in May 1861. He fought at the First Battle of Bull Run, and became a captain in August 1861.
He became the major of the 5th Maine in January 1863 and fought at Second Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Wilderness, and Cold Harbor where he was wounded. In March 1865, he was appointed a brevet colonel and then brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers for "gallant and meritorious services during the war."
Daggett believed in the abolition of slavery and fought alongside African-American soldiers during the Civil War with the 5th Maine. He was also a strong supporter of the temperance movement and gave public lectures on the topic. Daggett was a member of the Presbyterian church.
After the war, Daggett became a captain in the 16th U.S. Infantry in 1866. He had also been brevetted as a major in the Regular Army for gallant and meritorious services at Rappahannock Station and lieutenant colonel for services at the Wilderness.
Subsequent Military Career
Aaron Daggett went on to fight in the Indian Wars, in which he received a purple heart, the Spanish–American War in China, and the Philippines and received another Purple Heart and the Gold Star. Daggett was temporarily promoted to the rank of brigadier general of the volunteers during the Spanish-American War and was present at the Battle of San Juan Hill. In 1900 he became a brigadier general of the regular Army before retiring in 1901 to Auburn, Maine.
Death and legacy
Daggett died at the age of 100 at his home in West Roxbury, Massachusetts on May 14, 1938, making him the last surviving general of the Civil War.
Daggett's grandson was a prominent civil rights activist at the University of New Hampshire.