 Born:
09/02/1837 in Shawneetown, IL
Died: 02/23/1925 in Wilmington, DE
USMA: 1860, class rank: 06/41
Wilson, James H., major-general,
was born in Illinois in 1838 and was graduated at
West Point in 1860. He took part in the Port
Royal expedition and for his services in the
capture of Fort Pulaski was made major on April
11, 1862. He was on McClellan's staff at South
mountain and Antietam, was inspector-general of
the Army of the Tennessee in the Vicksburg
campaign of 1863, and after the battle of
Chattanooga was made lieutenant-colonel. From May
to Aug., 1864, he commanded the 3d cavalry
division, Army of the Potomac, and was promoted
to
the rank of colonel for his services in the
Wilderness. He was commander of the cavalry
division of the Mississippi from Oct., 1864, to
July, 1865, and took part in all the engagements
of Gen. Thomas, campaign, being made a brevet
brigadier-general, U. S. A., after the battle of
Nashville. He led a cavalry
expedition into Alabama and Georgia in March and
April, 1865, capturing Selma, Montgomery,
Columbus and Macon, and on May 1O, 1865, captured
Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. He
was made major-general of volunteers April 20,
1865, and lieutenant-colonel of the 35th infantry
July 28, 1866. He retired from the army on Dec.
31, 1870, and engaged successfully in railroad
management in the United States and
China. Upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American
war he was commissioned major-general of
volunteers, May 4, 1898, and served through that
conflict. On April 12, 1899, he was commissioned
brigadier-general of volunteers and served in
that capacity until March 2 1901, when he retired
from the service, having been given the full rank
of brigadier-general, U. S. A., Feb. 11, 19O1.
Sources:
Civil War
Research Database
Source: The Union Army, vol. 8
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