Hugh Judson Kilpatrick
Hugh Judson Kilpatrick | |
|---|---|
Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick between circa 1863 and circa 1865 | |
| United States Minister to Chile | |
| In office July 25, 1881 – December 4, 1881 | |
| President | James Garfield Chester Arthur |
| Preceded by | Thomas A. Osborn |
| Succeeded by | Cornelius Ambrose Logan |
| In office March 12, 1866 – August 3, 1870 | |
| President | Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Thomas H. Nelson |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Pomeroy Root |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 14, 1836 Wantage Township, near Deckertown, New Jersey, U.S. (now Sussex Borough) |
| Died | December 4, 1881 (aged 45) Santiago, Chile |
| Political party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Hugh Judson Kilpatrick (January 14, 1836 – December 4, 1881) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, achieving the rank of major general. He was later the United States Minister to Chile and an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nicknamed "Kilcavalry" (or "Kill-Cavalry") for using tactics in battle that were considered as recklessly disregarding the lives of soldiers under his command, Kilpatrick was both praised for the victories he achieved, and despised by Southerners whose homes and towns he devastated.