Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 10.djvu/89

 SUMNER

SUMNER

1819; was married at Sacket Harbor, N.Y., March 3, 1822, to Hannah W., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Petit (Montgomery) Forster ; fought in the Black Hawk war in 1832, and was chief commissary for the army in the field by appointment of General Scott. He was elected by President Jackson as second captain of the new regiment of horse, at the time an unusual promotion. He served on frontier duty in the west, 1833-38, accompanying General Dodge to the head waters of the Red river in 1834, and in 1838 was given command of practice in Carlisle Barracks, Penn. He was ordered to join General Kearny's expedition to New Mexico in June, 1846, and commanded the 1st regiment of dragoons; was promoted major, 2d dragoons, and served in the Mexican war, leading his troops at the battles of Madeline Bridge and Cerro Gordo. At the latter he was struck in the head by a spent ball, and confined in the hospital for a month, the nature of his wound giving him the sobriquet "Old Hard Head." He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and colonel for Molino del Rey, where he held 5000 Mexican lancers, and received special praise from General Worth for skill and courage. He commanded the Brigade of Horse in the occupation of the City of Mexico, which post lie held until January, 1848. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, 1st dragoons, July 18, 1848 ; commanded the department of New Mexico, 1851-53, and later visited Europe for the purpose of observing foreign cavalry discipline and drill. He was promoted colonel, 1st cavalry, in 1855, and was in command of Fort Leavenworth, Kan., in 1856, where he incurred the displeasure of the secretary of war and was removed. In July, 1857, he led an expedition and defeated the Cheyenne Indians at Solomon's Fork. He was commander of the Department of the West, 1858-61. In 1861 he was senior colonel in the U.S. cavalry, and was chosen to escort President-elect Lincoln from Springfield to Washington. On March 16, 1861, President Lincoln appointed him brigadier-general in place of Gen. David E. Twiggs, removed, one of the first military appointments made by President Lincoln, who said: "It is the best office in my gift." He was ordered to supersede Gen. A. S. Johnston with whom he ranked in the command of the Department of

the Pacific and is credited with saving California to the Union. Being anxious for more active duty he was recalled, and in March, 1862, was attached to the Army of the Potomac and given command of the 1st army corps. He commanded the left wing at the siege of Yorktown; was second in command to McClellan in the whole Peninsular campaign; fought at Williamsburg, and at Fair Oaks his celerity in crossing the Chickahominy enabled him to support McClellan before Longstreet could reach the Confederates. He commanded his corps in the Seven Days' battles, and was twice wounded. In recognition of his services on the Peninsula he was appointed major-general of volunteers, to rank from July 4, and brevet major-general U.S.A., to date from May 31, 1862. On the re-organization of the army after Pope's disastrous Virginia campaign, he was assigned to the command of the 2d corps, and at the battle of Antietam was again wounded. Under Burnside he commanded the right grand division, consisting of the 2d and 9th corps, and a division of artillery, and after bearing the brunt of the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, he was relieved at his own request, Jan. 25, 1863. On March 9, 1863, he was assigned to the command of the Department of the West. On his way there he died in Syracuse. N.Y., March 21, 1863.

SUMNER, Edwin Vose, soldier, was born at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., Aug. 14. 1835; son of Edwin Vose Sumner (q.v.) and Hannah W. (Forster) Sumner. He attended school; engaged in civil pursuits, and joined the Clay Guards, organized in Washington, D.C., in April, 1861. He was commissioned 2d lieutenant in the first dragoons Aug. 5, 1861, and promoted 1st lieutenant, Nov. 12, 1861 ; declined the appointment of major, 2d California cavalry, Sept. 10, 1861; served in the defences of Washington, 1861-62, and in the Manassas and Peninsular campaigns; was aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. George Stoneman; was appointed additional aide-de-camp of volunteers with the rank of major, May 19, 1863, and was honorably discharged from that grade in September to date from August, 1863. He served with his regiment in the Wilderness campaign, being twice wounded at Todd's Tavern, but remained on the field until the close of the action. For this service he was brevetted major. May 6, 1864. He returned to duty. July. 1864. and served as colonel, 1st New York Mounted Rifles from Sept. 8, 1864, in the Army of the James. His regiment was selected by General Grant to cut the Weldon railroad where he engaged the enemy near Jackson and carried out his purpose. After the surrender of Lee, he was assigned to the command of the District of Virginia with a separate brigade, and he was mustered out of the volunteer service Nov. 29, 1865.