Brevet Brig. General Samuel A. Gilbert (USA)

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. As a civil engineer in the U. S. Coast Survey service, Gilbert took a leave of absence during the Civil War. He was appointed a lieutenant colonel of the 24th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and sent to defend the Union position in West Virginia. On October 14, 1861 he was given command of the 44th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a colonel and latter participated in the Battle of Lewisburg, West Virginia. He participated in skirmishes in central Kentucky and eastern Tennessee throughout 1862 and 1863. In early 1864, his command was reorganized as the 8th Ohio Cavalry. Because of his deteriorating health and the fact that his command was now a cavalry unit, Gilbert resigned his command on April 20, 1864. On March 13, 1865, he was made a brevet brigadier general "for faithful and meritorious services during the war." After the war, he resumed his career as an assistant of the U. S. Coast Survey. (bio by: Thomas Fisher)