Orris S. Ferry

Template:Short description

Template:Use mdy dates {{#invoke:infobox|infoboxTemplate | bodyclass = vcard | bodystyle = {{#if:|width: {{{mainwidth}}}}} | child = {{{embed}}}

| abovestyle = font-size: 100%;

| above = {{#if:|

{{{honorific-prefix}}}

}}

{{#if:Orris Sanford Ferry|Orris Sanford Ferry|Template:PAGENAMEBASE}}

{{#if:|

{{{honorific-suffix}}}

}}

| subheaderstyle = font-size:125%; font-weight:bold;

| subheader = {{#ifeq:{{{embed}}}|yes||{{#if:|{{#if:|

}}{{{native_name}}}{{#if:|

}}}}}}

| image = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=Orris S. Ferry - Brady-Handy.jpg|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | image2 = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | image3 = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | captionstyle = line-height:normal;padding-top:0.2em; | caption{{#if:|3|{{#if:|2}}}} =

| headerstyle = color: #202122; {{#ifeq:{{{embed}}}|yes|background:#eee|background:lavender}}

| data2 = | header3 = {{#if:August 15, 1823Bethel, Connecticut Template:Death date and age Norwalk, ConnecticutUnion Cemetery
Norwalk, ConnecticutRepublican, Liberal RepublicanCharlotte BissellYale College Politician, Lawyer, Judge|Personal details}} | label4 = Pronunciation | data4 =

| label5 = Born | data5 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br

|1 = {{#if:|

{{{birthname}}}

}}

|2 = August 15, 1823
|3 = Bethel, Connecticut
}}

| label6 = Died | data6 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br|Template:Death date and age|Norwalk, Connecticut}}

| label7 = {{#ifexpr: Template:Strfind short

   | Manner |{{#if:|Manner|Cause}} }} of death

| data7 = {{#if:||}}

| label8 = Resting place | class8 = label | data8 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br|Union Cemetery
Norwalk, Connecticut|}}

| label9 = Citizenship | data9 =

| label10 = Nationality | data10 = {{#switch:{{#invoke:delink|delink|}} | {{#ifeq:Template:Country2nationality|{{#invoke:delink|delink|}}|{{#invoke:delink|delink|}}}} = | {{#ifeq:Template:Find country|England|British}} = | #default = }}

| label11 = Political party | data11 = {{#switch:Republican, Liberal Republican | = | Democrat | Democratic | Democrat = Democratic | Republican | United States Republican Party | Republican | Republican Party = Republican | Conservative Party | Conservative = Conservative | Labour Party | Labour = Labour | Conservative Party | Conservative = Conservative | Liberal Party | Liberal = Liberal | KMT | Kuomintang | KMT | KMT | Kuomintang | Kuomintang (KMT) | Kuomintang (KMT) = Kuomintang | DPP | DPP | Democratic Progressive Party = Democratic Progressive Party | #default = Republican, Liberal Republican }}

| label12 = Other political
affiliations | data12 =

| label13 = Height | data13 = {{#if:|Template:Infobox person/height}}

| label14 = Spouse{{#if:|s|{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize|Charlotte Bissell|likely=(s)|plural=s}}}} | data14 = Charlotte Bissell

| label15 = Domestic partner{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | data15 =

| label16 = Relations | data16 =

| label17 = Children | data17 =

| label18 = Parent{{#if:|{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}}|{{#ifexpr:Template:Count > 1|s}}}} | data18 = {{#if:|{{{parents}}}|{{#invoke:list|unbulleted|{{#if:|{{{father}}} (father)}}|{{#if:|{{{mother}}} (mother)}}}}}}

| label19 = Relatives | data19 =

| label20 = Residence{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | class20 = {{#if:Template:Death date and age Norwalk, Connecticut||label}} | data20 =

| label21 = Education | data21 =

| label22 = Alma mater | data22 = Yale College

| label23 = Occupation | data23 =

| label24 = Profession | data24 = Politician, Lawyer, Judge

| label25 = Known for | data25 =

| label26 = Salary | data26 =

| label27 = Cabinet | data27 =

| label28 = Committees | data28 =

| label29 = Portfolio | data29 =

| label30 = {{#if:|Civilian awards|Awards}} | data30 =

| label31 = {{{blank1}}} | data31 =

| label32 = {{{blank2}}} | data32 =

| label33 = {{{blank3}}} | data33 =

| label34 = {{{blank4}}} | data34 =

| label35 = {{{blank5}}} | data35 =

| label36 = Signature | data36 = {{#if:Signature of Orris Sanford Ferry (1823–1875).png|Orris S. Ferry's signature}}

| label37 = Website | data37 =

| label38 = Nickname{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | data38 =

| header39 = {{#if:United States Army
Union Army File:Union Army brigadier general rank insignia.svg Brigadier General
File:Union Army major general rank insignia.svg Bvt. Major General 5th Connecticut Infantry Regiment American Civil War|Military service}}

| label40 = Allegiance | data40 =

| label41 = {{#if:||Branch/service}} | data41 = United States Army
Union Army

| label42 = {{#if:||Years of service}} | data42 =

| label43 = {{#if:||Rank}} | data43 = File:Union Army brigadier general rank insignia.svg Brigadier General
File:Union Army major general rank insignia.svg Bvt. Major General

| label44 = {{#if:||Unit}} | data44 = 5th Connecticut Infantry Regiment

| label45 = Commands | data45 =

| label46 = {{#if:||Battles/wars}} | data46 = American Civil War

| label47 = {{#if:|Military awards|Awards}} | data47 =

| label48 = {{{military_blank1}}} | data48 =

| label49 = {{{military_blank2}}} | data49 =

| label50 = {{{military_blank3}}} | data50 =

| label51 = {{{military_blank4}}} | data51 =

| label52 = {{{military_blank5}}} | data52 =

| below =

{{#if:| As of {{{date}}}{{#if:|, {{{year}}}}}}}

{{#if:|Source: [{{{source}}}]}}

}}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#if:||{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}}}} }}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox officeholder with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| regexp1 = 1blankname[%d]* | regexp2 = 1namedata[%d]* | regexp3 = 2blankname[%d]* | regexp4 = 2namedata[%d]* | regexp5 = 3blankname[%d]* | regexp6 = 3namedata[%d]* | regexp7 = 4blankname[%d]* | regexp8 = 4namedata[%d]* | regexp9 = 5blankname[%d]* | regexp10 = 5namedata[%d]* | allegiance | alma_mater | regexp11 = alongside[%d]* | alt | regexp12 = ambassador_from[%d]* | regexp13 = appointed[%d]* | regexp14 = appointer[%d]* | regexp15 = assembly[%d]* | awards | battles | battles_label | birth_date | birth_name | birth_place | birthname | regexp16 = blank[%d]* | bodyclass | branch | branch_label | cabinet | candidate | caption | categories | regexp17 = chancellor[%d]* | children | citizenship | regexp18 = co%-leader[%d]* | commands | committees | regexp19 = constituency[%d]* | regexp20 = constituency_AM[%d]* | regexp21 = constituency_MP[%d]* | regexp22 = convocation[%d]* | regexp23 = country[%d]* | regexp24 = data[%d]* | date | death_cause | death_date | death_manner | death_place | demo | regexp25 = deputy[%d]* | regexp26 = district[%d]* | education | election_date | embed | father | regexp28 = firstminister[%d]* | footnotes | regexp29 = governor[%d]* | regexp30 = governor_general[%d]* | regexp31 = governor%-general[%d]* | height | honorific_prefix | honorific-prefix | honorific_suffix | honorific-suffix | image | image name | image_name_alt | image_size | imagesize | image_upright | incumbent | regexp32 = jr/sr[%d]* | regexp33 = jr/sr and state[%d]* | known_for | regexp34 = leader[%d]* | regexp35 = legislature[%d]* | regexp36 = lieutenant[%d]* | regexp37 = lieutenant_governor[%d]* | mainwidth | regexp38 = majority[%d]* | regexp39 = majority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp40 = majority_leader[%d]* | regexp41 = majorityleader[%d]* | mawards | regexp42 = military_blank[%d]* | regexp43 = military_data[%d]* | regexp44 = minister[%d]* | regexp45 = minister_from[%d]* | regexp46 = minority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp47 = minority_leader[%d]* | regexp48 = minorityleader[%d]* | regexp49 = module[%d]* | regexp50 = monarch[%d]* | mother | name | nationality | native_name | native_name_lang | nickname | nocat | regexp51 = nominator[%d]* | nominee | occupation | regexp52 = office[%d]* | opponent | regexp53 = order[%d]* | otherparty | parents | regexp54 = parliament[%d]* | regexp55 = parliamentarygroup[%d]* | partner | party | party_election | portfolio | regexp56 = preceded[%d]* | regexp57 = preceding[%d]* | regexp58 = predecessor[%d]* | regexp59 = premier[%d]* | regexp60 = president[%d]* | regexp61 = primeminister[%d]* | regexp62 = prior_term[%d]* | profession | pronunciation | rank | rank_label | relations | relatives | residence | resting_place | resting_place_coordinates | restingplace | restingplacecoordinates | regexp63 = riding[%d]* | runningmate | salary | serviceyears | serviceyears_label | signature | signature_alt | signature_size | smallimage | smallimage_alt | source | speaker | speaker_office | spouse | spouses | regexp64 = state[%d]* | regexp65 = state_assembly[%d]* | regexp66 = state_delegate[%d]* | regexp67 = state_house[%d]* | regexp68 = state_legislature[%d]* | regexp69 = state_senate[%d]* | regexp70 = status[%d]* | regexp71 = suboffice[%d]* | regexp72 = subterm[%d]* | regexp73 = succeeded[%d]* | regexp74 = succeeding[%d]* | regexp75 = successor[%d]* | regexp76 = taoiseach[%d]* | regexp77 = term[%d]* | regexp78 = term_end[%d]* | regexp79 = term_label[%d]* | regexp80 = term_start[%d]* | regexp81 = termend[%d]* | regexp82 = termlabel[%d]* | regexp83 = termstart[%d]* | regexp84 = title[%d]* | unit | unit_label | regexp85 = vicegovernor[%d]* | regexp86 = vicepremier[%d]* | regexp87 = vicepresident[%d]* | regexp88 = viceprimeminister[%d]* | regexp89 = assuming[%d]* | website | width | year }}

Orris Sanford Ferry (August 15, 1823 – November 21, 1875) was a Republican American lawyer and politician from Connecticut who served in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. He was also a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Early lifeEdit

Ferry was born on August 15, 1823, in Bethel, Connecticut.<ref name=Bio>Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Orris S. Ferry</ref> He attended the Hopkins School, and worked at his father's shoe factory as a boy.<ref name=Obituary/> It was here that he realized his love of books. At age 17, Ferry entered Yale, where he served as one of the editors of the Yale Literary Magazine<ref name=Williams>Williams pp. 277–281</ref> and was a member of Skull and Bones.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp He graduated in 1844. Ferry first settled in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he studied law under Thomas B. Osborne. He then settled in Norwalk, Connecticut, and served in the office of Thomas B. Butler. Ferry married Charlotte Bissell, the daughter of Governor Clark Bissell. He was admitted to the bar in 1846.<ref name=Obituary/> The following year, he was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the 12th Regiment of Connecticut Militia.<ref name=Williams/> During his time in the militia, Ferry did not fight in any battle or war.<ref name=Williams/>

Early political careerEdit

Ferry served as a probate judge soon after being admitted to the bar.<ref name=Obituary/> At age 32, he was elected to a term in the Connecticut Senate representing the 12th District. He then served as the State's Attorney for Fairfield County from 1856 to 1859.<ref name=Bio/> Ferry was a member of the Toleration Party, but in 1856 became a Republican. After joining the party, he campaigned for John C. Frémont. In 1857, Ferry was nominated to serve in the United States House of Representatives, but lost the election.<ref name=Bio/><ref name=Obituary/> In 1859, he was again nominated, and this time he won.<ref name=Obituary/>

House of RepresentativesEdit

During his time in Congress, Ferry was known for extemporaneous speaking. He gave numerous speeches against slavery. Ferry was chosen as Connecticut's representative to the Committee of Thirty-Three.<ref name=Croffut/> This Committee was created in the hopes that peace could be settled between the Northern and Southern states. However, Southern states continued to secede from the Union, and the committee was disbanded.<ref name=Croffut>Croffut p. 32</ref> Ferry also served on the Committee of Revolutionary Claims.<ref name=Williams/> In 1861, he was renominated for his seat, but lost the election.<ref name=Obituary/>

File:Jackson Valley Campaign Part2.png

Battle of Winchester, 1862 Ferry served in McDowell's Division Template:Legend Template:Legend

American Civil WarEdit

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, and before regiments of Northern troops had arrived to defend Washington, there was a report of a plot to burn the capital. On April 18, 1861, this report mobilized loyal citizens, including Ferry, and state senator A. Homer Byington, also of Norwalk, to form a militia. This militia was led by Cassius Marcellus Clay, and came to be known as the Cassius Clay Guard.<ref name=Obituary>Obituary of Orris S. Ferry</ref><ref name="patch">Norwalk Patch</ref>

On July 23, 1861, he was put in command of the 5th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and given the rank of colonel.<ref name=Eicher>Eicher pp. 233–234</ref> The original regiment was the 1st Regiment Colts Revolving Rifles of Connecticut and was supposed to be led by Samuel Colt, but the unit never took the field.<ref name=History/> Its organization failing, the regiment was reorganized in May 1861.<ref name=History>History of Battle-Flag Day p. 139</ref> In early March 1862, Ferry led his troops across the Potomac River, and attacked the Confederates at Winchester, Virginia.<ref name=Williams/> This action would later lead to what became the First Battle of Winchester. Ferry was well praised for his ability as a leader and as a military strategist. Ferry was promoted to brigadier general on March 17, 1862.<ref name=Eicher/> He was then put under the command of General James Shields, whose division joined that of Gen. Irvin McDowell. It was under McDowell that Ferry fought at the First Battle of Winchester.<ref name=Williams/> Ferry continued to serve under Shields, during the Valley Campaign.<ref name=Warner>Warner pp. 151-152</ref>

Battle of Cedar MountainEdit

File:Orris S. Ferry.jpg

Orris Ferry during the American Civil War

Shortly after the First Battle of Winchester, Ferry and the 5th Connecticut Infantry were put under the command of Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks.<ref name=Sixties>Sixties p. 83</ref> On August 9, Ferry, under Banks, encountered Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Cedar Mountain.<ref name=Sixties/> The Union troops attacked to gain early advantage, but a Confederate counterattack repulsed Banks's corps and won the day.<ref name=Salmon>Salmon pp. 134-135</ref> Later that day, Union reinforcements under Maj. Gen. John Pope arrived. This led to a two-day stand-off between the two armies. The battle ended in a Confederate victory.<ref name=McDonald>McDonald p. 81</ref>

Services and resignationEdit

During the war, Ferry served in the VII Corps, X Corps, and XVIII Corps. He was also the head of the District of Lehigh, from August 20, 1863, until May 1864,<ref name=Eicher831>Eicher p. 831</ref> and served as the head of the District of Philadelphia from December 16, 1864, until July 15, 1865.<ref name=Eicher842>Eicher p. 842</ref> Ferry was brevetted a major general of volunteers in recognition of his services during the Peninsula Campaign.<ref name=Eicher/> He resigned from the military on July 15, 1865.<ref name=Eicher/> His resignation followed the Confederate surrender.<ref name=Williams/>

Senate careerEdit

After the Civil War, Ferry returned to both his political career and law practice. In 1866, he ran against Lafayette S. Foster, the incumbent of the Class III Connecticut Senate seat.<ref name=Obituary/> Ferry won the election, and took his place in the U.S. Senate on March 4, 1867. He became very active in committees,<ref name=Bio/><ref name=Obituary/> and favored amnesty for members of the Confederacy.<ref name=Williams/> Ferry participated in the Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson, voting to convict.<ref name=Warner/> In 1869, Ferry was attacked by a rare disease of his spine.<ref name=Obituary/> This disease led to a slow deterioration of his spine.<ref name=Williams/> This slowed his workings in the Senate, but he continued to play an active role. From 1870 to 1871, he served as the chairman of the Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses. From 1871 to 1875, he was chairman of the Committee on Patents. Ferry also served on the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.<ref name=Bio/> Ferry was considered a Liberal Republican, but he declined to officially associate with the breakaway party.<ref name=NYT>New York Times Obituary of Orris S. Ferry, 1875</ref> In 1872, Ferry was reelected for a second term. His main supporters were Democrats and Liberal Republicans.<ref name=Warner/>

Alexander Caldwell scandalEdit

In 1871, Alexander Caldwell was elected to the Senate from Kansas. From the start, allegations of corruption and pay-offs emerged.<ref name=Grossman>Grossman p. 44</ref> In 1873, Congressman Sidney Clarke, who assisted in Caldwell's election, testified that Caldwell's campaign had claimed that it would pay $250,000 to secure the election.<ref name=Grossman/> Kansas Governor Thomas Carney testified that he was paid $15,000 to drop out of the race. An investigation followed; its final report asked the Senate to expel Caldwell for not being "duly and legally elected". On March 21, 1873, Ferry took to the floor of the Senate and gave a speech asking the Senate to expel Caldwell: "The crime of bribery goes down to the very foundations of the institutions under which we live. We all know it and ... we shall stifle our consciences if we do not vote to expel." After a survey of the Senate, Caldwell saw his inevitability of being expelled, and resigned, on March 23.<ref name=Grossman/>

Template:Quote box

Later Senate careerEdit

In 1874, Ferry gave a speech against the future Civil Rights Act of 1875. After speaking, Senator Charles Sumner, both a friend of Ferry's and the proposer of the bill, stood up and said, "Mr. Ferry, your speech is far the most damaging blow my measure has yet received".<ref name=Williams/> The Civil Rights Act would eventually pass, but was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, on the basis that Congress did not have the power to regulate the conduct of individuals. His last speech in Congress was considered an uncommonly eloquent dissertation on his former friend, William Alfred Buckingham.<ref name=Williams/>

DeathEdit

After his final speech, Ferry left the capital for a new medical treatment. The treatment was to help heal his decaying spine, but the procedure failed.<ref name=Williams/> On November 20, 1875, Ferry's friends and doctors helped take him home. He died of his spine disease the next day.<ref name=Williams/> His funeral was attended by dignitaries such as Schurz. Ferry was interred at Union Cemetery in Norwalk.<ref name=Obituary/><ref name=Eicher/>

NotesEdit

Template:Reflist

ReferencesEdit

Croffut, William Augustus, Morris, John Moses; The military and civil history of Connecticut during the war of 1861-65: comprising a detailed account of the various regiments and batteries, through march, encampment, bivouac, and battle; also instances of distinguished personal gallantry, and biographical sketches of many heroic soldiers..., Ledyard Bill, 1869
Eicher, John H., Eicher, David J.; Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, Template:ISBN
Grossman, Mark; Political corruption in America: an encyclopedia of scandals, power, and greed, ABC-CLIO, 2003 Template:ISBN
History of Battle-Flag Day, September 17, 1879, Lockwood & Merritt, 1879
Hutchins, Edward Ridgeway; The War of the Sixties, The Neale Publishing Co., 1912
McDonald, William N., A History of the Laurel Brigade, 1907.
Obituary of Orris S. Ferry
Template:CongBio Retrieved on 2008-02-12
Orris S. Ferry Obituary in the New York Times, November 22 1875
Salmon, John S., The Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide, Stackpole Books, 2001, Template:ISBN.
Warner, Ezra J.; Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders, LSU Press, 1964, Template:ISBN
Williams, H. Clay; Biographical encyclopaedia of Connecticut and Rhode Island of the nineteenth century, Metropolitan Pub. and Engraving Co., 1881

External linksEdit

Template:S-start Template:S-par Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-par Template:U.S. Senator box Template:S-par Template:Succession box

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:USSenCT Template:SenHELPCommitteeChairmen Template:Authority control