Robert Chandler

His father Daniel Hicks Chandler, a judge, moved the family from New York to Milwaukee, WI in about 1848 and Robert was an attorney there by the 1850 US Federal Census. In 1855 he was also a founding member of the Milwaukee Light Guard militia company, then commanded by Rufus King. He was a Lieutenant by 1857. He was appointed Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, US Volunteers on 28 August 1861, and assigned as AAG on General Rufus King's staff on 3 September 1861. He was commended in General Hatch's after-action report for his actions on 29 August at 2nd Bull Run.

He was on General King's staff and remained with the Division through at least the Maryland Campaign. He was honored by brevet to Major, USA for "gallant and meritorious service" at Antietam on 17 September 1862.

By War's end he was on General W.S. Hancock's staff. He was honored by brevet to Major and Lieutenant Colonel, Volunteers, for War service on 13 March 1865. He mustered out of the Volunteer service on 1 September 1866.

He was commissioned Captain, 13th US Infantry on 28 July 1866 and transferred to the 7th US Infantry on 19 May 1870. He was brevetted Major, USA for Antietam on 2 March 1867. In early 1872 he was "stricken down with fever" at Minneapolis, MN, while serving on the staff of Major General Hancock. This caused a "softening of the brain", and he became a "lunatic". He was hospitalized in St. Elizabeth's - the mental asylum in Washington, DC - and died there in May 1873.

Basic service dates from Heitman1. Details from Herbert C. Damon's History of the Milwaukee Light Guard (1875), and his death announcement in the Army and Navy Journal (24 May 1873). Early life details from family genealogists and A Record of the Members of the Kappa Alpha Society (1892). His gravesite is on Findagrave. Brother of Rear Admiral Ralph Chandler, USN (1829 - 1889).

02/22/1827; Batavia, NY

05/10/1873; Washington, DC; burial in Batavia Cemetery, Batavia, NY