James Harrison Wilson

James Harrison Wilson was born in Shawneetown, Illinois. In 1860, he graduated from the United States Military Academy and became a brevet second lieutenant in the Topographical Engineers in the Department of Oregon at Fort Vancouver. During the Civil War, Wilson served as a topographical engineer, and in 1863 he was promoted to become Ulysses Grant's brigadier general of volunteers. In 1864, he switched from engineering to the cavalry, was promoted to brevet major general, and commanded a division of …