Brevet Brigadier-General Dennis T. Kirby, U.S.V.

Brevet Brigadier-General Dennis T. Kirby was born in Niagara County, New York, September 15, 1837; moved with his parents to Buffalo, New York, in 1847, and to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1854. He entered the service as captain Company E, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, June 25, 1861; served in Missouri and Kentucky to February, 1862, and was engaged in the capture of Forts Henry, Heiman, and Donelson, Feb. 6-13-16; battle of Shiloh, April 6-7; Lick Creek, Corinth Road, and siege of Corinth, April 24-25-30, May 30; battle of Russell's House, Mississippi, May 17. He was promoted major July 16, 1862; engaged at Coldwater Creek, May 17; Sherman's operations against Vicksburg, December 18; battle of Chickasaw Bayou, December 27; Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863 (wounded slightly and horse killed); Steel's Bayou and Deer Creek expedition, March 16-22; Black Bayou, April 5-10; Haines's Bluff, May i; engaged at Fourteen-Mile Creek, Champion Hill, and Black River, Mississippi, May 12-16-17; siege of and assaults on Vicksburg, May 18, July 4; siege of Jackson, Mississippi, July 9-16; Brandon, July 17-20. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel August 9, 1863; engaged near Tuscumbia, Alabama, October 26-27.

On the night of November 24, 1863, he commanded an expedition whose object was to cross the Tennessee River opposite Mission Ridge and capture the enemy's picket line, which extended about five miles along the bank of the river. Embarking in pontoon-boats about midnight upon this most hazardous undertaking, he crossed the river, landed his men, and captured in detail the entire picket-line without the loss of a man or the firing of a gun, thus enabling General Sherman's army to build its pontoon-bridges, cross over, and entrench before daybreak. General F. P. Blair, in a special report to General John A. Rawlins, chief of General Grant's staff, says " General Kirby had charge of the advance that crossed the Tennessee River in pontoon-boats and captured the enemy's pickets, the success of which contributed so much to the grand and decisive results of the battles which followed." This was approved and forwarded to the Secretary of War by General U. S. Grant.

He was engaged in the battle of Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863; relief of Knoxville, November 28 - December 18; battles of Resaca and around Dallas, Georgia, May 25-28, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27. He was mustered out with regiment July

In a special letter to the Secretary of War, Major General O. O. Howard says: " When I took command of the Army of the Tennessee General Kirby was chief picket-officer Seventeenth Army Corps, a position requiring more than ordinary sagacity, intelligence, and bravery. In General Kirby these qualifications were found to a remarkable degree. He was prompt and energetic, and when I knew that a line had been placed or inspected by him I knew it was well done. During the time I was in command of the army he was often selected to conduct hazardous expeditions. I have had frequent occasions to witness his coolness and bravery in dangerous positions."

He was appointed captain of Company E, Thirty-ninth U. S. Infantry, July 28, 1866; brevetted major for gallant conduct at Chickasaw Bayou; lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct in the assaults on Vicksburg, and colonel U. S. A. for gallant and meritorious conduct at Chickamauga (Creek), Georgia; Mission Ridge, Tennessee, and River's Bridge, South Carolina.

He served in the regular army until the fall of 1868, when his services ended. He now resides in Washington, D. C.

Source: Officers of the Volunteer Army and Navy who served in the Civil War, published by L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1893, 419 pgs.

Related Links:

• Civil War Records
• Civil War Microfilm at the National Archives
• Kirby Surname

 

Copyright, 2005-2010 by Webified Development all rights reserved.