Maj. General Silas Casey (USA)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silas_Casey

Silas Casey (July 12, 1807 – January 22, 1882) was a career United States Army officer who rose to the rank of Major General during the American Civil War.

Early life and military career

Casey was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1826 (39th out of 41).

He fought in the Second Seminole War under William J. Worth from 1837 to 1842. During the Mexican-American War he fought at the Battle of Contreras and Battle of Churubusco, and was appointed brevet major on August 20, 1847 for gallant conduct. He then fought in the Battle of Molino del Rey and was severely wounded during the Battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847.

After the Mexican-American War he performed frontier duties and escorted topographical parties, including a trip to California around Cape Horn in 1849. He commanded at Camp Picket during the Pig War on San Juan Island from August 10 to October 18, 1859.

Civil War

Casey was promoted to brigadier general on August 31, 1861, shortly after arriving on the East Coast. He fought in the Peninsula Campaign, where his division suffered heavy losses at Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862, facing Brig. Gen. George Pickett's brigade.

He wrote the three-volume System of Infantry Tactics, including Infantry Tactics volumes I and II, published by the army on August 11, 1862, and Infantry Tactics for Colored Troops, published on March 9, 1863. The manuals were used by both sides during the Civil War.

In December 1862 he was appointed to the board that ultimately convicted Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter of disobedience and cowardice for his actions at the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Postbellum life

Casey retired from the army on July 8, 1868, having served over 40 years of active duty. He died in Brooklyn, New York, and is buried at the Casey farm in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Casey's sons included Silas Casey III, who served as Rear Admiral of the Pacific Squadron, and Thomas Lincoln Casey, who served as Chief of Engineers, and Edward Wanton Casey, Army lieutenant.

Links

• http://fredrickey.info/dms/00467-Casey.htm

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http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5893983

Civil War Union Major General. Born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, he began his military graduating from West Point in 1826, as Lieutenant in the 2nd US Infantry. He served in the Seminole War and was decorated for gallantry in the Mexican War. At the start of the Civil War, he was a member of an officer's board and wrote the revised tactics manual for the Infantry. His new published manual was used by thousands of volunteer officers in the Union Army and even influenced Confederate tactics. Promoted Brigadier General, he served in only one field action during the Peninsula Campaign. In May 1862, he was promoted Major General, spending the rest of the war as an administrator and commanded a provisional brigade in the defenses of Washington, D.C. After the war, he served with the 4th US Infantry until he retired from the Regular Army in 1868. (bio by: [fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=46568383" target="_blank John "J-Cat" Griffith)] Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: Oct 26, 2001

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• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 12 2016, 2:16:57 UTC