# Benjamin F. Potts

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American politician

Benjamin Franklin Potts Governor of the Montana Territory In office July 13, 1870 – January 14, 1883 President Ulysses S. Grant James A. Garfield Chester A. Arthur Preceded by Wiley Scribner (acting) Succeeded by John Schuyler Crosby Ohio State Senator In office 1868–1870 Preceded by Henry S. Martin Succeeded by A.C. Wales Constituency 21st district Personal details Born (1836-01-29)January 29, 1836 Fox Township, Carroll County, Ohio Died June 17, 1887(1887-06-17) (aged 51) Helena, Montana Resting place Forestvale Cemetery, Helena, Montana Party Democratic Signature Military service Allegiance United States Union Branch/service United States Army Union Army Years of service 1861–1866 Rank Brigadier General Brevet Major General Unit Army of the Tennessee Commands 32nd Ohio Infantry Battles/wars American Civil War Battle of Cheat Mountain Battle of Greenbrier River Battle of McDowell Battle of Cross Keys Battle of Port Republic Battle of Jackson Siege of Vicksburg Atlanta campaign Carolinas Campaign

**Benjamin Franklin Potts** (January 29, 1836 – June 17, 1887) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier from the state of [Ohio](/source/Ohio) who served as a [general](/source/General_officer) in the [Union Army](/source/Union_Army) during the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War), as well as a [reconstruction era](/source/Reconstruction_era) [governor of the Montana Territory](/source/Governor_of_the_Montana_Territory) from 1870 to 1883. He commanded a [brigade](/source/Brigade) of [infantry](/source/Infantry) in the [Western Theater](/source/Western_Theater_of_the_American_Civil_War) in some of the war's most important campaigns and repeatedly received commendations for gallantry and tactical judgement in combat.[1][2]

## Early life and career

Benjamin Potts was born on a farm in [Fox Township, Carroll County, Ohio](/source/Fox_Township%2C_Carroll_County%2C_Ohio),[3] to James and Jane (Mapel) Potts. He attended the common schools. When he was seventeen, he began working as a clerk in a dry goods store in nearby [Wattsville](/source/Wattsville%2C_Ohio). He attended [Westminster College](/source/Westminster_College_(Pennsylvania)) in 1854–55, until he ran out of funding and returned to Ohio. He taught school and [read law](/source/Read_law) starting in September 1857 under [Ephraim R. Eckley](/source/Ephraim_R._Eckley), later a [U.S. Congressman](/source/U.S._Congressman). An active supporter of President [James Buchanan](/source/James_Buchanan), Potts was interested in local and national politics and joined the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)).[2]

In May 1859, he passed his bar exam in [Canton, Ohio](/source/Canton%2C_Ohio), and established a successful practice in [Carrollton](/source/Carrollton%2C_Ohio). He was a member of the Ohio delegation to the [1860 Democratic National Convention](/source/1860_Democratic_National_Convention) in [Charleston, South Carolina](/source/Charleston%2C_South_Carolina), and supported the candidacy of [Stephen A. Douglas](/source/Stephen_A._Douglas).[2]

## Civil War

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Potts was elected as a [captain](/source/Captain_(United_States_O-3)) of the [32nd Ohio Infantry](/source/32nd_Ohio_Infantry) and mustered into the service on August 29, 1861. He served with the regiment in [western Virginia](/source/West_Virginia_in_the_American_Civil_War) and was present at [Cheat Mountain](/source/Battle_of_Cheat_Mountain) and [Greenbrier River](/source/Battle_of_Greenbrier_River). He was engaged in scouting with his company during a portion of the winter of 1861–1862; and in the spring of 1862 he accompanied the regiment in the advance under [Maj. Gen.](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) [Robert H. Milroy](/source/Robert_H._Milroy). Subsequently, he was engaged in the [Battle of McDowell](/source/Battle_of_McDowell). He accompanied General [John C. Frémont](/source/John_C._Fr%C3%A9mont) in his campaign up the [Shenandoah Valley](/source/Shenandoah_Valley) in pursuit of [Stonewall Jackson](/source/Stonewall_Jackson), and was present at [Cross Keys](/source/Battle_of_Cross_Keys) and [Port Republic](/source/Battle_of_Port_Republic).[1][2]

In July 1862, he was temporarily detached from his infantry company and assigned command of an [artillery battery](/source/Artillery_battery) in [Winchester, Virginia](/source/Winchester%2C_Virginia). During the [Maryland Campaign](/source/Maryland_Campaign), he and his men fell back to the presumed safety of [Harpers Ferry](/source/Harpers_Ferry%2C_West_Virginia), where they were part of the largest surrender of the U.S. Army until [World War II](/source/World_War_II), following the [Battle of Harpers Ferry](/source/Battle_of_Harpers_Ferry). Potts was paroled and sent to [Camp Douglas](/source/Camp_Douglas_(Chicago)) until exchanged.[2]

In December 1862, Potts was promoted to [lieutenant colonel](/source/Lieutenant_colonel_(United_States)) and commander of the demoralized and badly depleted 32nd Ohio. He reorganized the regiment, added substantially to its ranks, and refitted it for field duty. On Christmas Day, he was elevated to the [colonelcy](/source/Colonel_(United_States)) and then led the regiment in numerous campaigns of the [Army of the Tennessee](/source/Army_of_the_Tennessee) in the Western Theater, including the [Siege of Vicksburg](/source/Siege_of_Vicksburg) and the [Atlanta campaign](/source/Atlanta_campaign). At [Port Gibson](/source/Battle_of_Port_Gibson) he was complimented for gallantry by brigade commander Brig. Gen. [John D. Stevenson](/source/John_Dunlap_Stevenson); and at [Raymond](/source/Battle_of_Raymond), [Jackson](/source/Battle_of_Jackson%2C_Mississippi), and [Champion Hill](/source/Battle_of_Champion_Hill), he received the thanks of Maj. Gen. [John A. Logan](/source/John_A._Logan). During the fight at Champion Hill, Colonel Potts charged with his regiment and captured an eight-gun [Confederate](/source/Confederate_States_Army) battery and half of an [Alabama](/source/Alabama) infantry brigade that was guarding it.[2]

In August Potts was assigned to the command of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, [XVII Corps](/source/XVII_Corps_(Union_Army)), and he accompanied an expedition to [Monroe, Louisiana](/source/Monroe%2C_Louisiana). In November, Maj. Gen. [James B. McPherson](/source/James_B._McPherson) placed Potts in command of the 2nd Brigade. During Maj. Gen. [William T. Sherman](/source/William_T._Sherman)'s [Meridian expedition](/source/Meridian%2C_Mississippi), Potts led the advance of the XVII Corps across Baker's Creek, routed the Rebels under [William Wirt Adams](/source/William_Wirt_Adams), and drove them into Jackson. Later, Potts commanded the forces that destroyed the railroad from Meridian.[1][2]

In 1864, Potts was assigned command of the 1st Brigade, 4th Division of the XVII Corps, and was distinguished during the [Atlanta campaign](/source/Atlanta_campaign), especially in the [Battle of Atlanta](/source/Battle_of_Atlanta). Division commander [Giles A. Smith](/source/Giles_A._Smith) wrote, "Colonel Potts did more, on the 22d of July, 1864, to save the good name of the Army of the Tennessee, than any other one man." That fall, he participated in the successful operations against [Savannah, Georgia](/source/Savannah%2C_Georgia).[4]

In January 1865, Potts was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. He led his brigade during the [Carolinas Campaign](/source/Carolinas_Campaign) and in the [Grand Review of the Armies](/source/Grand_Review_of_the_Armies) in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.)[5] In May following the end of hostilities. Potts received the [brevet rank](/source/Brevet_rank) of [major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) in the omnibus promotions at the end of the Civil War.[1]

## Reconstruction era career

Potts mustered out of the army in January 1866 and returned to [Carroll County, Ohio](/source/Carroll_County%2C_Ohio), where he resumed his legal and political careers. He changed political parties and joined the [Republicans](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)). A moderate, he was elected to the [Ohio State Senate](/source/Ohio_State_Senate) in 1867. Three years later, he accepted an appointment from a fellow Ohio politician and former general, President [Ulysses S. Grant](/source/Ulysses_S._Grant), as the governor of the [Montana Territory](/source/Montana_Territory), but only after first refusing it because the adoption of the [Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution](/source/Fifteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution) in the Ohio Legislature depended upon his vote, which would be lost if he vacated his seat.[6] Potts served until 1883. As governor, he was heavily involved in Indian affairs, as well as working to get several new frontier towns chartered, including [Missoula](/source/Missoula%2C_Montana).[7] The bipartisan political stability Potts brought to Montana played an important role in the gradual lessening of [vigilante](/source/Vigilante) activities and lawlessness in the territory.[8] He later served in the territorial legislature.

Benjamin F. Potts died in 1887 in [Helena, Montana](/source/Helena%2C_Montana), where he was buried initially in the Benton Avenue Cemetery. His remains were later moved to Forestvale Cemetery.[9]

## See also

- [Biography portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
- [American Civil War portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:American_Civil_War)

- [List of American Civil War generals (Union)](/source/List_of_American_Civil_War_generals_(Union))

- [List of Ohio's American Civil War generals](/source/List_of_Ohio's_American_Civil_War_generals)

- [Ohio in the American Civil War](/source/Ohio_in_the_American_Civil_War)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Eicher437_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Eicher437_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Eicher437_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Eicher437_1-3) Eicher, p. 437.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Reid898_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Reid898_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Reid898_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Reid898_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Reid898_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Reid898_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Reid898_2-6) Reid, pp. 898–99.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-car-har_3-0)** Eckley, H.J.; Perry, W.T. (1921). [*History of Carroll and Harrison Counties*](https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/576876-redirection). The Lewis Publishing Co. pp. 130, 150, 181.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Reid, p. 900.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Potts' Brigade consisted of the 14th/15th Illinois (battalion), 53rd Illinois, 23rd Indiana, 53rd Indiana, and his old 32nd Ohio.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Howe, Henry](/source/Henry_Howe) (1889). ["Carroll County"](https://books.google.com/books?id=OXIOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA360). *[Historical Collections of Ohio](/source/Historical_Collections_of_Ohio)*. Vol. 1. The State of Ohio. p. 360. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781404753761](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781404753761). {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#invalid_isbn_date))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [History of Missoula, Montana](http://www.mcps.k12.mt.us/lowell/missoulahistory%20text.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081014020928/http://www.mcps.k12.mt.us/lowell/missoulahistory%20text.html) October 14, 2008, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved 2008-10-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Allen, Frederick, [Montana Vigilantes and the Origins of the 3-7-77](https://web.archive.org/web/20011123123936/http://visitmt.com/history/Montana_the_Magazine_of_Western_History/montanavigilantes2.htm), Montana Big Sky Country website. Retrieved 2008-10-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [The Political Graveyard](http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/potterton-powe.html#RFH0QDOO0) Retrieved 2009-10-17.

## References

- Bissland, James, *Blood, Tears, and Glory: How Ohioans Won the Civil War*, Wilmington, Ohio: Orange Frazer Press, 2007, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-933197-05-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-933197-05-6).

- Eicher, John H., and [Eicher, David J.](/source/David_J._Eicher), *Civil War High Commands*, Palo Alto, California: Stanford University Press, 2001, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8047-3641-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8047-3641-3).

- Heidler, David S., and Heidler, Jeanne T., eds., *Encyclopedia of the American Civil War: A Political, Social, and Military History*, W. W. Norton & Company, 2000, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-393-04758-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-393-04758-X).

- [Reid, Whitelaw](/source/Whitelaw_Reid), *[Ohio in the War](/source/Ohio_in_the_War): Her Statesmen, Her Generals, and Soldiers.* 2 vol. Cincinnati: Moore, Wilstach, & Baldwin, 1868.

- U.S. War Department, [*The War of the Rebellion*](http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/records/list.cfm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090913062844/http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/records/list.cfm) September 13, 2009, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine): *a Compilation of the [Official Records](/source/Official_Records_of_the_American_Civil_War) of the Union and Confederate Armies*, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880–1901.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Benjamin Franklin Potts](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Benjamin_Franklin_Potts).

- ["Benjamin Potts photo gallery at generalsandbrevets.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080208215607/http://www.generalsandbrevets.com/ngp/potts.htm). Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2008.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

- [Monument to the 32nd OVI and Col. Potts at the Vicksburg National Military Park](https://web.archive.org/web/20070817003315/http://www.nps.gov/archive/vick/oh/oh32inf.htm)

- ["Benjamin F. Potts"](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7129686). [Find a Grave](/source/Find_a_Grave). Retrieved March 24, 2009.

- ["Potts, Benjamin Franklin"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Appletons%27_Cyclop%C3%A6dia_of_American_Biography/Potts,_Benjamin_Franklin). *[Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography](/source/Appletons'_Cyclop%C3%A6dia_of_American_Biography)*. 1900.

Ohio Senate Preceded by Henry S. Martin Senator from 21st District (Carroll and Stark Counties) 1868–1870 Succeeded by A. C. Wales

v t e Governors of Montana Territorial (1864–1889) Edgerton Meagher G. Smith Ashley Potts Crosby Carpenter Hauser Leslie White State (since 1889) Toole Rickards R. Smith Toole Norris Stewart Dixon Erickson Cooney Holt Ayers Ford Bonner Aronson Nutter Babcock Anderson Judge Schwinden Stephens Racicot Martz Schweitzer Bullock Gianforte

Authority control databases International VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States Other Open Library SNAC

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