Edwin Vose Sumner Jr. facts for kids
Edwin Vose Sumner Jr. (born August 16, 1835 – died August 23, 1912) was an important general in the United States Army. He was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His father was General Edwin Vose Sumner, one of the oldest generals who served during the American Civil War.
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Serving in the Civil War
Edwin V. Sumner Jr. started his military career soon after the American Civil War began. On August 5, 1861, he became a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He was promoted to first lieutenant on November 12, 1861.
From January to August 1863, he worked as an aide de camp (a personal assistant) for Major General George Stoneman. On May 19, 1863, he was promoted to major in the volunteer army. He left the volunteer army on August 15, 1863.
On September 23, 1863, Sumner was made a captain in the Regular Army. In 1864, he served as an Assistant Inspector General for the cavalry in the Army of the James. This role involved checking on the cavalry troops. He was given an honorary rank of brevet major in the Regular Army for his service at the Battle of Todd's Tavern. Starting July 21, 1864, he became an Assistant Inspector General for the cavalry in the Department of West Virginia.
On September 8, 1864, he was appointed colonel of the 1st Regiment New York Mounted Rifles. He led the 3rd Brigade of the Cavalry Division, which was part of the XVIII Corps (Union Army) in the Army of the James. He held this command from February 5, 1865, to March 28, 1865.
Sumner left the volunteer army and returned to his Regular Army rank of captain on September 29, 1865.
On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Sumner for an honorary promotion to brevet brigadier general of volunteers. This rank was effective from March 13, 1865. The United States Senate approved this promotion on March 12, 1866.
After the Civil War
After the Civil War ended, Sumner continued his military service in the Indian Wars. These were conflicts between the United States Army and various Native American tribes.
He was promoted to major in the 5th U.S. Cavalry Regiment on March 4, 1879. Later, he became a lieutenant colonel in the 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment on April 15, 1890. On November 10, 1894, he was promoted to colonel of the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment.
In 1890, he became a member of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. This special group is for descendants of officers who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He joined because he was related to Major Job Sumner, a veteran of that war.
When the Spanish–American War began, he was appointed brigadier general of Volunteers on May 27, 1898. He was discharged from the Volunteers on February 24, 1899.
Later Life and Retirement
Sumner was promoted to brigadier general in the Regular Army on March 27, 1899. He retired from the United States Army just three days later, after serving for 37 years.
Edwin Vose Sumner Jr. passed away in San Francisco, California, on August 28, 1912. He was buried at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Family Connections
He was married to Margaret Forster. Her father was General John Forster (1777–1863). Edwin Vose Sumner Jr.'s brother was Major General Samuel S. Sumner.
Military Awards
- Civil War Campaign Medal
- Indian Campaign Medal
- Spanish War Service Medal (awarded after his death)
