James E. Harrison

He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the recently organized 2nd US Cavalry on 27 June 1856, and was sent to join them in Texas. He was at Camp Cooper, Fort Belknap, Fort Auchita, and in the field "scouting Indians" to December 1860. He had commanded his Company in May and December 1858. He was on detached service at Carlisle Barracks, PA in early 1860. At the start of the War, he returned East from Texas with his Regiment and was promoted to First Lieutenant in April (to date from 27 February) 1861 and Captain in May. The Second became the 5th Cavalry on the reorganization of 3 August 1861. He was in action on the Peninsular Campaign, and was honored by brevet to Major on 27 May 1862 for his actions at Hanover Courthouse, VA.

He received a second brevet, to Lieutenant Colonel for his service at Antietam.

He was in command of the Regiment as senior Captain present by May 1863, and led them on Stoneman's Raid and on the Gettysburg Campaign. He was in Portland, ME to the end of 1863, then at Headquarters, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was Acting Inspector General, Department of Arkansas, then Inspector of Cavalry, West Mississippi to January 1865.

He continued in Regular Army service, commanding Company B of the 5th Cavalry, at Regimental HQ in Washington, DC and on detached service in the Middle Division of the Mississippi. He died of Bright's Disease in Washington at age 36.

Service information from Heitman1 and Henry2. Details from The United States Army and Navy Journal and Gazette of 8 June 1867 and family genealogists. His photograph from one of unknown provenance posted by Don Caughey. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

04/17/1829 in VA

11/04/1867; Washington, DC; burial in Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC