OFFICERS WHO SERVED IN WASHINGTON BEFORE SERVING IN THE CIVIL WAR
(I am sure that I am missing some)
Christopher Augur- Took part in the Yakima Wars and was part of Maj. Rains' expedition. He served in the Mexican War and during the Civil War he commanded a division for the attack of Cedar Mountain and was wounded. Recovering he later was one of the senior officers during the siege of Port Hudson; after the city was taken he served to command the defenses of Washington until the end of the war. He retired in 1885 and died in 1898.
George McClellan- In 1853 came to Ft. Vancouver to explore the Cascade Mountains for a pass for the Northern Pacific Railroad. During the Civil War he commanded all US Army forces; however, because of his constant delays he was removed from this command. He was the Democratic candidate for president in 1864. He lost the election and resigned his commission on election day.
Edward Ord- Took part in the Yakima Wars and was part of Maj. Rains' expedition. Prior to his coming to the Northwest he had served in the wars with the Seminoles and the Mexican War. During the Civil War he was twice picked by Gen. Grant to succeed a troublesome subordinate (Gen. McClernand of the 13th Army Corps and Gen. Butler of the Army of the James). He retired in 1881 and died two years later in Cuba of Yellow Fever.
Philip Sheridan- Took part in the Yakima Wars. After a slow start, during the Civil War, he rapidly rose in rank and command. When Gen. Grant assumed command of all US Army forces he assigned Sheridan to command most of the cavalry forces of the Union Army and gave him the job of clearing the Shenandoah Valley of all Confederate forces. After the war he worked for the creation of Yellowstone National Park.
Ulysses Grant- Before coming the the Northwest he served in the Mexican War and served in the same unit as Granville Haller. While in the Northwest he served as Regimental Quartermaster of the 4th Infantry at Ft. Vancouver during mid-1852-53 before being transferred to California to accept promotion as Captain. He later became famous as commander of all Union land forces and President of the United States.
James Archer- He resigned his commission after the Mexican War. Later, he re-enlisted as a captain just in time for Col. Wright's 1856 campaign against the Yakimas. Later he succeed Robert Garnett as commander of Ft. Simcoe and eventually accompanied Garnett's expedition in central Washington during 1858. He resigned his commission in 1861 and joined the Confederate Army where he was eventually promoted to the rank of general.
William Pender- Transferred to the First Dragoons in 1855. Took part in the battles of Four Lakes and Spokane Plains. Later served with the Confederate Army and obtaining the rank of general. Killed during the battle of Gettysburg.
David Gregg-Part of the Steptoe expedition in 1858. During the Civil War he obtained the rank of general and became a division commander in Sheridan's Cavalry Corps. Unexplainable he resigned his commission in February 1865 and became a farmer. He served with the Grant administration as a diplomat in Prague.
Charles Winder- He was a captain in the 9th Infantry during his tour of duty in Washington. He resigned his commission and joined the Confederacy eventually commanding the Stonewall Division in Jackson's Corps. He was killed in action during the battle of Cedar Mountain in 1862.
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