Aaron S. Daggett

Aaron Simon Daggett (June 14, 1837 – May 14, 1938) was a career United States Army officer and a Union Army general during the American Civil War. He was the last surviving brevet general of the Union Army and the last surviving general of any grade who served during the Civil War, dying in 1938 at the age of 100.

Daggett was nominated for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general, to rank from March 13, 1865, by President Andrew Johnson and was confirmed by the United States Senate in 1866. He subsequently served in the American Indian Wars, the Spanish–American War, and the Boxer Rebellion. He was promoted to brigadier general in the Regular Army (United States) shortly before his retirement in 1901.

Early life and education

Daggett was born in Greene, Maine, on June 14, 1837. He was the son of Yankee parents, whose Puritan ancestors came to New England as part of the Puritan migration from England in 1630. Both of Daggett's grandfathers served in the Revolutionary War.

Daggett attended Bates College (then called the Maine State Seminary) in Lewiston, Maine, in 1860. He also attended the Monmouth Academy and Maine Wesleyan Academy.

Military career

Civil War Daggett enlisted as a private in the 5th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment in April 1861, and became a second lieutenant in May 1861. He was appointed first lieutenant, June 24, 1861.

Daggett believed in the abolition of slavery and fought alongside African-American soldiers during the Civil War while serving with the 5th Maine Infantry Regiment. He was also a strong supporter of the temperance movement and gave public lectures on the topic. Daggett was a member of the Presbyterian church. On February 21, 1900, Daggett became a brigadier general of the regular U.S. Army. He retired on March 2, 1901, to Auburn, Maine.

Death and legacy Aaron S. Daggett died at the age of 100 at his home in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, on May 14, 1938, making him the last surviving brevet or full, substantive rank Union general of the Civil War. He was buried at Old Valley Cemetery, Greene Corner, Maine.

Daggett Terrace (Veterans Village Subdivision) in New Port Richey, Florida is named after Aaron Daggett.