Edward R.S. Canby

Edward Richard Sprigg Canby (1817-1873) - Born 9 Nov 1817 in Piatt's Landing, Kentucky. A career U.S. Army infantry officer and West Point graduate. Assassinated 11 Apr 1873, by Modoc Indians near Tule Lake, California.

General Edward R.S. Canby

He entered the United States Military Academy 1 Jul 1835 and graduated 1 Jul 1839 in the Class of 1839 ranking 30th out of 31.

He served in the Second Seminole War (1839-1842), the Mexican War (1846-1848), the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865) and the Modoc Indian War (1872-1873). He rose to the rank of Major General of Volunteers and Brigadier General U.S. Army.

He was murdered 11 Ap 1873 during the Modoc War at a peace conference in the California Lava Beds by Captain Jack who was a chief of the Modoc. He was buried 23 May 1873 in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Fort Canby in Washington State was named for General Canby in 1875.

---

Father: Israel T. Canby (1779-1846)

Mother: Elizabeth Piatt Canby (1784-1840)

Marriage:

• Louisa Hawkins (1818-1889) married 1 Aug 1839 at Crawfordsville, Indiana, born 25 Dec 1818

Children:

• Mary Paul Canby (1843-????) born 1843 in Vermont

Assignments:

• (1835-1839) Cadet, United States Military Academy
• (1839-1842) Second Seminole War
  • 2nd Lt. (1 Jul 1839), 2nd U.S. Infantry
• (1842-1845) 2nd U.S. Infantry, Fort Niagara, New York
• (1846-1846) 2nd U.S. Infantry, Detroit Barracks, Michigan
• (1846-1848) Mexican War
  • 1st Lt. (18 Jun 1846), 2nd U.S. Infantry
  • Bvt Captain (3 Mar 1847), 2nd U.S. Infantry
  • Bvt Major (20 Aug 20 Aug 1847), 2nd U.S. Infantry, Gallant and Meritorious Conduct at Battles of Contreras and Churubusco, Mexico
  • Bvt Lt. Colonel (13 Sep 1847), 2nd U.S. Infantry, Gallant Conduct at the Belen Gate of Mexico City, Mexico
• (1848-1849) Assistant Adjutant General of General Riley's brigade
• (1849-1851) Assistant Adjutant General of Pacific Division
• (1851-1855) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C.
• (1855-1855) 10th U.S. Infantry, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
• (1855-1856) 10th U.S. Infantry, Fort Crawford (1), Wisconsin
• (1856-1857) 10th U.S. Infantry, Fort Snelling, Minnesota
• (1857-1860) 10th U.S. Infantry, Utah Expedition
• (1860-1860) 10th U.S. Infantry, Fort Garland, New Mexico
• (1860-1861) 10th U.S. Infantry, commanding Navajo Expedition
• (1861-1865) U.S. Civil War
  • Colonel (14 May 1861), 19th U.S. Infantry
  • Brigadier General (31 Mar 1862) U. S. Volunteers
  • Major General (7 May 1864), U. S. Volunteers
  • Bvt. Brigadier General (13 Mar 1865), U. S. Army, Gallant and Meritorious Services at the Battle of Valverde, New Mexico
  • Bvt. Major General, (13 Mar 1865), U. S. Army, Gallant and Meritorious Services in the Capture of Fort Blakely, and Mobile, Alabama
• Brigadier General, U. S. Army, (28 Jul 1866)
• (1872-1873) Modoc Indian War
  • (11 Apr 1873) Killed by Modoc Indians at Lava Beds Peace Conference

Personal Description:

• Height: Tall
• Build: Slender
• Hair Color: .....
• Eye Color: .....

Sources:

• Wikipedia - Edward R.S. Canby
• Cullum Register - Edward R.S. Canby