About
American major general who served in the cavalry of the United States Army during the American Civil War, American Indian Wars, and Spanish-American War. He then became the first American Military Governor of the Philippines. He retired from the army in 1900 and died in Virginia in 1910.
Before Fame
He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1960. He was then commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoons, later becoming the adjutant for the unit. In 1862 he was appointed captain in the 2nd cavalry and served in the defenses of Washington, D.C.
Trivia
He was a member of the court of inquiry that looked into the happenings at the the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was relieved of his duties as military governor of the Philippines in August of 1898 to advise the US delegation on peace negotiations leading to the Treaty of Paris. He is portrayed by Greg Dorris in the 2015 film, Heneral Luna.
Family Life
His first wife, Caroline Warren Merritt, died in 1893. In 1898, he married Laura Williams Caton, daughter of Supreme Court justice John Catron.
Associated With
Both he and George Armstrong Custer were promoted directly from captain to brigadier general in 1863, an unusual occurrence.
