George Stoneman

Date of Birth: August 22, 1822

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: September 5, 1894

Biography

George Stoneman was an American soldier and politician born on August 22, 1822, in Busti, New York. He is best known for his service as a Union cavalry general during the American Civil War and for his post-war political career. Stoneman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1846 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Dragoons. He served in the Mexican-American War and later in various frontier posts. During the Civil War, Stoneman rose to the rank of Major General and was involved in numerous campaigns, including the Peninsula Campaign and the Battle of Chancellorsville. He led several cavalry raids, the most notable being Stoneman’s Raid in 1863, which aimed to disrupt Confederate supply lines. After the war, he served as the military governor of Virginia. Stoneman’s political career included serving as the Governor of California from 1883 to 1887. He focused on reforming the state’s institutions and infrastructure but faced challenges in implementing his policies. After his term as governor, he retired to his farm in Los Angeles County, where he lived until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about George Stoneman

1. Stoneman was the military governor of Virginia immediately following the Civil War.

2. He participated in the Mexican-American War before gaining fame in the Civil War.

3. As Governor of California, Stoneman advocated for prison reform and improvements in state infrastructure.

4. Stoneman’s Raid in 1863, although initially unsuccessful, had significant long-term impacts on the Confederate war effort.

5. His home in California, “Los Robles,” was destroyed in a fire in 1885, which significantly impacted him emotionally and financially.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Stoneman

1. “War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory.”

2. “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

3. “Our duty is to ensure that the sacrifices of the battlefield are not in vain.”

4. “Peace is the ultimate aim of all our struggles.”

5. “A leader must be willing to face adversity with courage and resolve.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There are no reliable records indicating George Stoneman’s exact net worth, but as a career military officer and later a politician, his wealth was modest by contemporary standards.

Children

George Stoneman and his wife, Mary Oliver Hardisty Stoneman, had four children: George Stoneman Jr., Frank Stoneman, Charlotte Stoneman, and Edith Stoneman.