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Civil War Soldiers - Willcox
| Willcox, Orlando B.,
brigadier-general, U.S. Army, was born in Detroit, Mich., April 16,
1823. After receiving a common-school education he entered West Point
academy in 1843, graduated in 1847 and was commissioned second
lieutenant in the 4th artillery. He took part in the closing
operations of the Mexican war, served on the frontier and after
participating in the last campaign against the Seminoles resigned from
the army Sept. 10, 1857. When the Civil war opened he was engaged in
the practice of law in Detroit, but at once offered his services to
the governor of his native state and on May 1, 1861, was appointed
colonel of the 1st Mich. infantry. He aided in the capture of
Alexandria, Va. ; took part in the first battle of Bull Run, where he
was wounded and taken prisoner; was confined at Charleston and
Columbia, S. C., until Aug. 17, 1862, when he was exchanged and
promoted to be brigadier-general of volunteers, his commission dating
from July 21, 1861. He took part in the operations of the Army of the
Potomac in the autumn of 1862, and in the spring and early summer of
1863 commanded the District of Central Kentucky. During the draft
riots he was in command of the District of Indiana and Michigan and
then served in eastern Tennessee until March, 1864. He was promoted
major-general of volunteers by brevet Aug. 1, 1864; led a division of
the 9th corps in the Richmond campaign, rendering notable services at
Spottsylvania; was the first to enter Petersburg, and from April 26,
1865, until peace was declared, served in North Carolina. He was
brevetted brigadier- and major-general in the regular army for his
services during the war; was mustered out of the volunteer service
Jan. 15, 1866, and on July 28, 1866, was appointed colonel of the 29th
infantry. On March 15, 1869, he was transferred to the 12th infantry,
was on recruiting service in New York city for two years and then
until 1887 was stationed in the South and West. As commander of the
Department of Arizona he effectively suppressed the raids of the
Apache Indians, and for his services in this connection received a
vote of thanks from the Arizona legislature. On Oct. 13, 1886, he was
promoted brigadier-general and on April 16, 1887, was placed on the
retired list on account of age. Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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