Jacob Ford Kent (September 14, 1835 – December 22, 1918) was a United States general during the Spanish–American War. Kent also served in the Union army during the American Civil War.Keenan's pg. 182

Early life and the American Civil War

Kent was born in 1835 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Rodolphus Kent and Sarah Deily. His Great-Great-Grandfather was Col. Jacob Ford, of Morristown, NJ (whose home was General George Washington's headquarters 1779–80). He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1861 and served in the Union army during the Civil War. He was first appointed to the 3rd U.S. Infantry in 1861 and later transferred to staff duty as an assistant inspector general in 1863. Kent won brevet promotions during the war for "gallant and meritorious service" at the battles of Marye's Heights, Spotsylvania and

Petersburg Petersburg, or Petersburgh, may refer to: Places Australia *Petersburg, former name of Peterborough, South Australia Canada * Petersburg, Ontario Russia *Saint Petersburg, sometimes referred to as Petersburg United States *Peterborg, U.S. Virg ...

. He ended the war as a brevet colonel assistant inspector general.

Indian Wars

Following the Civil War Kent returned to field duty with the 3rd U.S. Infantry with the rank of captain. He served on the frontier in Montana, Colorado and Nebraska. In 1885 Kent was promoted to major of the 4th U.S. Infantry and stationed at Fort Omaha. While he was posted in Nebraska the Ghost Dance War took place culminating in the Wounded Knee Massacre. Major Kent and Captain Frank D. Baldwin were placed in charge of charge of the Wounded Knee investigation by Major General Nelson A. Miles.Wounded Knee Investigation
/ref>

Spanish–American War and later life

When war with Spain began in May 1898, Kent was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and assumed command of the First Division of the Fifth Army Corps, destined for Cuba. His forces landed at Daiquirí and at the Battle of San Juan Hill his division led the main attack on San Juan Hill while the Rough Riders led the attack on nearby Kettle Hill. Kent's division sustained heavy casualties during the assault:

Hamilton S. Hawkins Hamilton Smith Hawkins (November 13, 1834 – March 27, 1910) was a United States Army Major General during the Spanish–American War. Biography Hamilton S. Hawkins was born in Fort Moultrie, South Carolina on November 13, 1834. He attended th ...

, commanding the First Brigade, was severely woundedDyal's,Carpenter's, Thomas's pp. 178–179 and Colonel

Charles A. Wikoff Charles Augustus Wikoff (March 3, 1837 – July 1, 1898) was a Union Army officer serving from American Civil War until he became the most senior ranking American Army officer killed in the Spanish–American War. However U.S. forces took the heights and Kent's division participated in the subsequent Siege of Santiago. He was appointed brigadier general in the Regular Army in October, 1898. He was transferred to the Philippines where he briefly served before he retired late in 1898. Kent died in 1918.

Notes

References

* Keenan, Jerry; ''"Encyclopedia of the Spanish–American & Philippine–American Wars"'', ABC-CLIO, (2001) * Dyal, Donald H., Carpenter, Brian B., Thomas, Mark A.; ''"Historical Dictionary of the Spanish–American War"'', Greenwood Publishing Group, (1996)

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kent, Jacob Ford 1835 births 1918 deaths American military personnel of the Spanish–American War Military personnel from Philadelphia Union Army officers United States Army generals United States Military Academy alumni Burials at West Point Cemetery