Civil War Union Major General. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 1825, placing 19th out of 37 (his classmates include future Fort Sumter commander Robert Anderson, and Brigadier General William R. Montgomery). He served on the faculty at West Point from 1829 to 1842, then was assigned to the 3rd United States Infantry at the outbreak of the Mexican War, serving with distinction first in Zachary Taylor's forces in Northern Mexico, then with Winfield Scott's army from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. He received brevets of Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel in recognition of his gallantry in the conflict. Promoted to full-rank Major in 1848, and to Lieutenant Colonel in 1854, he then participated in the Mormon Campaign, and commanded the Department of Utah on the eve of the Civil War. Promoted to Brigadier General, US Volunteers on August 31, 1861, he served under Ulysses S. Grant (one of his former students at West Point) in the Union capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. At Fort Donelson, while in command of a division, he personally led the Federal charge that forced the fort's surrender. Promoted to Major General, US Volunteers on March 22, 1862 and was named to command the Union Army pressing Confederates on the Tennessee River (General Grant was placed under him by Army Chief Henry W. Halleck). Just prior to the Battle of Shiloh he slipped while boarding a rowboat, scraping his shin. The seemingly minor wound developed into an infection that would cause his death on April 25. Had he not been injured, he likely would have been in command of the Union forces at the Battle of Shiloh, instead of General Grant.
Civil War Union Major General. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 1825, placing 19th out of 37 (his classmates include future Fort Sumter commander Robert Anderson, and Brigadier General William R. Montgomery). He served on the faculty at West Point from 1829 to 1842, then was assigned to the 3rd United States Infantry at the outbreak of the Mexican War, serving with distinction first in Zachary Taylor's forces in Northern Mexico, then with Winfield Scott's army from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. He received brevets of Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel in recognition of his gallantry in the conflict. Promoted to full-rank Major in 1848, and to Lieutenant Colonel in 1854, he then participated in the Mormon Campaign, and commanded the Department of Utah on the eve of the Civil War. Promoted to Brigadier General, US Volunteers on August 31, 1861, he served under Ulysses S. Grant (one of his former students at West Point) in the Union capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. At Fort Donelson, while in command of a division, he personally led the Federal charge that forced the fort's surrender. Promoted to Major General, US Volunteers on March 22, 1862 and was named to command the Union Army pressing Confederates on the Tennessee River (General Grant was placed under him by Army Chief Henry W. Halleck). Just prior to the Battle of Shiloh he slipped while boarding a rowboat, scraping his shin. The seemingly minor wound developed into an infection that would cause his death on April 25. Had he not been injured, he likely would have been in command of the Union forces at the Battle of Shiloh, instead of General Grant.
Bio by: RPD2
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