Thomas Jesup

Who was Thomas Jesup?

Thomas Sidney Jesup, USA was an American military officer known as the "Father of the Modern Quartermaster Corps". He was born in Berkeley County, Virginia. He began his military career in 1808, and served in the War of 1812, seeing action in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane in 1814, where he was wounded. He was appointed Quartermaster General on May 8, 1818, by President James Monroe.

In 1836, while Jesup was still officially Quartermaster General, President Andrew Jackson detached him first to deal with the Creek tribe in Georgia and Alabama, and then to assume command of all U.S. troops in Florida during the Second Seminole War. His actions in violating truces to capture Seminole leaders, such as Osceola, provoked controversy. At the conclusion of the hostilities, Jesup returned to his official post.

During the Mexican-American War, Jesup traveled from his headquarters in Washington, D.C., to oversee the supplying of troops in Mexico. He served as Quartermaster General for 42 years, holding the record for the longest continual service in the same position in U.S. military history. He died in office in Washington, D.C., at age 72.