David S. Stanley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Sloane Stanley
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Maj. Gen. David S. Stanley
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| Born | June 1, 1828 Cedar Valley, Ohio |
| Died | March 13, 1902 (aged 73) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial |
United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1852–1892 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | IV Corps 22nd U.S. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards |  - Medal of Honor |
David Sloane Stanley (born June 1, 1828 – died March 13, 1902) was an important general for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He fought in many big battles. General Stanley is especially remembered for his bravery at the Battle of Franklin. For his actions there, he received the Medal of Honor, which is America's highest award for military bravery. After the war, he also explored new lands, like the Yellowstone River area. His reports helped more people move to and settle in those regions.
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Becoming a Soldier
David Stanley was born in Cedar Valley, Wayne County, Ohio. He went to the West Point military school. He graduated in 1852.
After West Point, he worked on the Western frontier. He helped survey, or map out, routes for new railroads. In March 1861, just before the Civil War started, he became a captain. When the war began, he was stationed at Fort Washita in Indian Territory. He quickly led his soldiers to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Fighting in the Civil War
Stanley fought in several battles in Missouri. This included the Battle of Wilson's Creek, where he protected important supply trains. President Abraham Lincoln made him a brigadier general in September 1861.
He fought in the Western Theater of the war. He was part of battles like New Madrid, Missouri and the Battle of Island Number Ten. He also commanded soldiers in major battles such as the Second Battle of Corinth. At the Battle of Stones River, he led the cavalry (soldiers on horseback) for the Army of the Cumberland.
In 1863, Stanley became a major general. He also led the Union cavalry during the Tullahoma Campaign. He got sick later that year and missed the Battle of Chickamauga.
The Atlanta Campaign
In 1864, General Stanley served under General William Tecumseh Sherman. He was a division commander in the IV Corps during the Atlanta Campaign. When General Oliver O. Howard took command of the Army of the Tennessee, Stanley was promoted to lead the IV Corps.
After the city of Atlanta was captured, General Sherman sent Stanley and his IV Corps to Tennessee. Their mission was to protect the state from an invasion by John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee.
Heroism at Franklin
On November 30, 1864, a very important battle happened at Franklin. General Stanley showed incredible bravery there. He led a successful counterattack against the Confederate forces. This action saved part of a Union division from being completely destroyed.
For his courage, the President of the United States awarded him the Medal of Honor. This happened on March 29, 1893. During the battle, Stanley was wounded in the neck. His horse was also shot from under him. He had to leave the battle to get medical help. He returned to command his corps after the Battle of Nashville.
After the War
After the Civil War ended, Stanley continued his military career. He became a colonel of the 22nd U.S. Infantry. He mostly served in the Dakota Territory until 1874.
In 1873, he led the Yellowstone Expedition of 1873. He guided his troops through areas that had not been mapped before. His positive reports about the Yellowstone River region encouraged many people to move there.
Later, in 1879, Stanley and his regiment moved to Texas. Their job was to stop raids by Native American tribes in the western part of the state. In 1882, he was sent to Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, he commanded the District of New Mexico.
In March 1884, he became a brigadier general in the regular army. He was then put in charge of the Department of Texas. He retired from the army in 1892.
General Stanley was buried at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
His family continued his military legacy. His son, David Sheridan Stanley, and five of his grandsons later graduated from West Point. His son-in-law, Willard Ames Holbrook, also became a major general in the U.S. Army.
Images for kids
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Maj. Gen. David S. Stanley
