William O. Collins
William Collins | |
---|---|
Birth name | William Oliver Collins |
Born | Somers, Connecticut, U.S. | August 23, 1809
Died | October 26, 1880 Hillsborough, Ohio, U.S. | (aged 71)
Allegiance | United States Union |
Service/ | United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1865 |
Rank | ![]() |
Commands held | 7th Ohio Cavalry 11th Ohio Cavalry Fort Laramie |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Alma mater | Amherst College |
Other work | Ohio State Legislator |
William Oliver Collins (August 23, 1809 – October 26, 1880) was an American attorney politician, and Union Army officer who served in the cavalry during the Civil War and in the American West. He was the namesake for Fort Collins, Colorado.[1]
Early life and education[]
Collins was born in Somers, Connecticut and graduated from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Career[]
Collins moved to Ohio where he worked as a lawyer and served in the Ohio Senate from 1860 to 1862.[2]
Civil War[]
During the American Civil War, Collins was appointed colonel of the 7th Ohio Cavalry. However, this regiment never completed its muster and was therefore consolidated with the 6th Ohio Cavalry.[3] Collins was now named lieutenant colonel of the 6th Ohio Cavalry with William Lloyd as colonel.[4] Collins was resentful his regiment had been absorbed into another and used his political influence to have his original four companies transferred to an independent command. Ordered to St. Louis MO in February 1862, Collins' command was officially declared the 1st Ohio Independent Cavalry Battalion.[5] Collins served under General James Craig protecting the Overland Mail routes in Nebraska Territory. In June 1862, four additional companies were recruited at Camp Dennison to be added to the 1st Ohio Cavalry Battilion. Before Collins could unite the two battalions, the new recruits were mobilized for the defense against Morgan's Ohio Raid. Also during this time General Craig ordered troops to establish a military post in northern Colorado Territory. Craig named the post Camp Collins in honor of the Ohio cavalry officer.[6] The two Ohio cavalry battalions were joined to create the 11th Ohio Cavalry and on September 20, 1862 Collins was appointed lieutenant colonel, the de facto commanding officer. Lieutenant Colonel Collins commanded Fort Laramie from 1863–1864. In August, he authorized the establishment of "Fort" Collins the previous establishment having been destroyed by a flood. Collins commanded the Western Sub-district of the District of Nebraska from 1864–1865.[7] During this time he led troops into action against Native American warriors in the battles of Mud Springs and Rush Creek. In April 1865, Collins and the original four companies of the 11th Ohio Cavalry were mustered out of the volunteer service.
Personal life[]
After being discharged from the Army in 1865, Collins settled in Hillsboro, Ohio. He died on October 26, 1880.[8]
References[]
- Hunt, Roger D. Colonels in Blue—Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia: A Civil War Biographical Dictionary, 2011
- ^ Fort Collins History Connection
- ^ Hunt p.39
- ^ Hunt p.39
- ^ 6th Ohio Cavalry
- ^ 1st Ohio Independent Cavalry Battalion
- ^ Fort Collins History Connection
- ^ Hunt p.39
- ^ writer, TOM MORTON Star-Tribune staff. "From Hillsboro to eternity". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
- 1809 births
- 1880 deaths
- People from Somers, Connecticut
- People of Ohio in the American Civil War
- Ohio state senators
- Amherst College alumni
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- 19th-century American politicians