Civil War Union Major General. A career US Army officer, he was in command of a volunteer cavalry regiment in Missouri, at the start of the Civil War. Promoted Brigadier General, he commanded a Cavalry Division at the Battle of New Madrid, Siege of Corinth and was promoted Major General in September 1862. For his actions commanding the Reserve Corps at the Battle of Chickamaugua, he was placed in command of the IV Corps in September 1863. For the remainer of the war, he led his troops through engagements in the campagins of Tennessee and Alabama. After the war, he reamined in the Army in command of the Department of Texas and later the District of New Mexico, serving until his death. On June 19, 1865, he issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, which declared "absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves." It was the first time former slaves in Texas learned of their freedom and the date is celebrated as Juneteenth.
Civil War Union Major General. A career US Army officer, he was in command of a volunteer cavalry regiment in Missouri, at the start of the Civil War. Promoted Brigadier General, he commanded a Cavalry Division at the Battle of New Madrid, Siege of Corinth and was promoted Major General in September 1862. For his actions commanding the Reserve Corps at the Battle of Chickamaugua, he was placed in command of the IV Corps in September 1863. For the remainer of the war, he led his troops through engagements in the campagins of Tennessee and Alabama. After the war, he reamined in the Army in command of the Department of Texas and later the District of New Mexico, serving until his death. On June 19, 1865, he issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, which declared "absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves." It was the first time former slaves in Texas learned of their freedom and the date is celebrated as Juneteenth.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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