Darius Nash Couch (The Americana)
Reference
Couch, Darius Nash, American soldier: b. South East, Putnam County, N. Y., 23 July 1822; d. Norwalk, Conn., 12 Feb. 1897. He graduated at West Point 1846, served in the Mexican and Seminole wars, and resigned from the army in 1855 to engage in business. During the Civil War he was commissioned brigadier- general 1861; commanded a division in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and Malvern Hill; promoted major-general July 1862, and took part in Pope's retreat and the battle of Antietam. At Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville he commanded the Second Army Corps; organized the Pennsylvania militia to resist Lee's invasion 1863, and took part in the battle of Nashville and the North Carolina operations 1864-5. In 1865 he was unsuccessful as the Democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts; and was collector of the port of Boston 1866-7. He removed to Connecticut soon after, and was adjutant-general of that State 1883-4.
Frederick Converse Beach, ed., “Couch, Darius Nash,” The Americana: A Universal Reference Library (New York: Scientific American Compiling Department, 1912).
Darius Nash Couch (American National Biography)
Scholarship
Couch is best remembered as an able division and corps commander in the Army of the Potomac. His career occasionally was marred by personal traits of impatience and temper directed at both subordinates and superiors. He also suffered from prolonged bouts of ill health, which led to his acceptance of the post of department commander. Although in this administrative position Couch greatly aided in the repulse of the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania, he undoubtedly would have performed greater service as a commander in the field.
Herman Hattaway and Michael D. Smith, "Couch, Darius Nash," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/04/04-00270.html.
