Alvin Peterson Hovey was a Union general during the American Civil War and governor of Indiana.
Hovey was born in Mount Vernon, Indiana on September 6, 1821. After receiving an education in the public schools he held a variety of jobs including a bricklayer, school teacher, and lawyer. He received a commision in the army during the Mexican-American War but saw no action. After the war he filled a vacant possition as an Indiana state Supreme Court justice and served as a U.S. District Attorney when the Civil War broke out.
He was appointed colonel of the 24th Indiana Volunteer Regiment and fought in the Battle of Shiloh under General Lew Wallace. In April, 1862 he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and assumed command of the District of East Arkansas. He commanded the 12th Division, XIII Corps during the Vicksburg Campaign. He took a prominant part in the Battle of Champion Hill and won the praise of General Ulysses S. Grant for his services there. He led the division through the Siege of Vicksburg. He commanded the 1st Division, XXIII Corps during the first part of the Atlanta Campaign until the division was discontinued in August of 1864. He then commanded the District of Indiana. At the wishes of Governor Oliver P. Morton, Hovey raised 10,000 new recruits to serve in the Union Army. He received a brevet promotion to major general in 1864 and resigned from the army the following year.
After the end of the Civil War he was sent as a U.S. Minister to Peru. After serving in Peru for five years he returned to his hometown of Mount Vernon and practiced law. He turned down a nomination for governor but won election as Congressman in 1886. In 1888 he accepted a second nomination for governor and won the election. Hovey died in office on November 23, 1891. He is buried in Mount Vernon.
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