b. Torrington, Connecticut, Feb. 7, 1826
d. New York, New York, March 30, 1901

Augustus Gaylord served as Adjutant General of Wisconsin during the Civil War. As the state's top-ranking military official (after the governor), he was responsible for recruiting troops, appointing officers, and supplying forces with everything needed to fight in the war.

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General Augustus Gaylord at Table

View the original source document: WHI 33488

Early Life

Gaylord was born in Connecticut but moved to New York at age 20 as a clerk for a manufacturer. He rose steadily in the business world until health problems led him to leave the city for Wisconsin in 1857. He settled in St. Croix Falls on the northwest logging frontier and opened a general store, became active in politics, and was elected county treasurer in 1859. In 1860, when Louis P. Harvey was elected Secretary of State, he hired Gaylord to be his confidential clerk, and Gaylord relocated to Madison.

Civil War Service

When Harvey became governor in January 1861, he immediately consolidated all aspects of military affairs into the office of adjutant general and appointed Gaylord to the post. Every subsequent governor during the war years retained Gaylord's services.

Recruiting, training, and equipping troops, running their camps, appointing their officers, and overseeing their transportation to and from the front was an enormous task. Gaylord formed dozens of regiments and saw more than 90,000 men enlisted, cared for, and mustered out during his tenure. His activities are discussed at length in the opening chapters of E.B. Quiner's book, The Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1866).

Postwar Years

Gaylord resigned his position on May 1, 1866, and returned to private life. In 1872 he moved back to New York and resumed his manufacturing career. He was the head of the Ammunition Manufacturers' Association until 1898 and died in New York City on March 30, 1901.

Links to Learn More

• Biographical Sketch

  By E.B. Quiner in his book, "The Military History of Wisconsin" (Chicago, 1866)

• Chapters Discussing Gaylord's Wartime Work

  In Quiner's book, "The Military History of Wisconsin" (Chicago, 1866).

• View Original Documents Related to Adj. Gen. Gaylord

[Source: Quiner, E.B. The Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1866); Janesville Gazette, May 30, 1866; New York Times, March 31, 1901.]