Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Civil War Union Officer. Born in Rockingham County, Virginia, he moved to Ohio and settled near Mansfield. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in Ohio, and became a lawyer in Richland County. He was commissioned as a Captain in the United States Army and served in the Mexican American War. In 1856, he became the Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and served until 1858. When the Civil War began, he was commissioned as a Colonel to recruit and organize the 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Two months after the regiment was formed, Ford led them into Western Virginia. At the Battle of Harper's Ferry in September, 1862, he was given orders from Colonel Dixon Miles to command parts of four regiments. On the morning of the second day of the battle, Ford took ill and removed himself from the front lines, and placed an inexperienced officer in command. After a chaotic fight ensued, Ford returned to his command and issued an order of retreat that only reached about half of the men. Over 12,000 men and officers were captured by Confederate forces when they surrendered on September 15th. Ford was arrested by the War Commission and sent to Washington D.C. for a military trial that was held on September 23, 1862. He faced charges for having neglected his duty in the defense of Maryland Heights. Ford insisted that Colonel Miles gave him the order to retreat, but the War Commission determined that he had abandoned his position without a sufficient cause and recommended his dismissal from the Army. He was found guilty of improper conduct and dismissed from the service by order of the President. Ford remained in Washington D.C. and was appointed as U.S. Printer. He was also nominated to become the U.S. ambassador to Equador although he declined to accept the position. He met frequently with President Lincoln and is referenced in the Lincoln Letters and the Lincoln Diaries. Ford reestablished his law practice while living in Washington and later died there in 1868 when he was 53 years old. His body was transported by train back to Mansfield, Ohio for burial.
Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Civil War Union Officer. Born in Rockingham County, Virginia, he moved to Ohio and settled near Mansfield. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in Ohio, and became a lawyer in Richland County. He was commissioned as a Captain in the United States Army and served in the Mexican American War. In 1856, he became the Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and served until 1858. When the Civil War began, he was commissioned as a Colonel to recruit and organize the 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Two months after the regiment was formed, Ford led them into Western Virginia. At the Battle of Harper's Ferry in September, 1862, he was given orders from Colonel Dixon Miles to command parts of four regiments. On the morning of the second day of the battle, Ford took ill and removed himself from the front lines, and placed an inexperienced officer in command. After a chaotic fight ensued, Ford returned to his command and issued an order of retreat that only reached about half of the men. Over 12,000 men and officers were captured by Confederate forces when they surrendered on September 15th. Ford was arrested by the War Commission and sent to Washington D.C. for a military trial that was held on September 23, 1862. He faced charges for having neglected his duty in the defense of Maryland Heights. Ford insisted that Colonel Miles gave him the order to retreat, but the War Commission determined that he had abandoned his position without a sufficient cause and recommended his dismissal from the Army. He was found guilty of improper conduct and dismissed from the service by order of the President. Ford remained in Washington D.C. and was appointed as U.S. Printer. He was also nominated to become the U.S. ambassador to Equador although he declined to accept the position. He met frequently with President Lincoln and is referenced in the Lincoln Letters and the Lincoln Diaries. Ford reestablished his law practice while living in Washington and later died there in 1868 when he was 53 years old. His body was transported by train back to Mansfield, Ohio for burial.
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