The New Student's Reference Work/Warren, Gouverneur Kemble

Warren, Gouverneur Kemble, American soldier, was born at Cold Spring, N. Y., on Jan. 8, 1830. Studying for the army at West Point, he graduated in 1850, after which he acted as chief topographical engineer in the Sioux expedition of 1855. Returning to West Point, he for two years was assistant-professor of mathematics, but in 1861 accepted the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Fifth New York Volunteers, and took part in the battle of Big Bethel and was promoted to be brigadier-general for gallantry at Gaines' Mill. He subsequently distinguished himself at Malvern Hill, Manassas and Fredericksburg. In 1863 he acted as chief of topographical engineers under Hooker, and later as chief engineer in the Army of the Potomac. He also was at Gettysburg, and for his distinguished services there and in the field gained a brevet-colonelcy in the regular army and a step in rank, that of major-general of volunteers. Still later he took part in the battles of the Wilderness, and served professionally at the siege of Petersburg and in the Richmond campaign. In the battle of Five Forks he had some disagreement with General Sheridan, who relieved him of his command, though the result of a court of inquiry into the matter between them relieved Warren of personal blame. Reinstated, he was given command at Petersburg and was later in charge of the Department of the Mississippi. In 1865 he resigned his commission in the volunteers and was brevetted major-general in the regular army, and subsequently rendered approved service on surveys and in the improvement of harbors. He died at Newport, R. I., on Aug. 8, 1882.