David Allen Russell

After graduating from West Point in 1845 he served as 2nd Lieutenant on the frontier in the First and 4th US Infantry, then in the War with Mexico (1847-48), where he received a brevet for bravery in action. He was promoted to First Lieutenant, 4th US Infantry on 1 January 1848 and to Captain on 22 June 1854. He served at forts in Michigan, New York, Washington, Oregon and California into 1862.

By then age 41, from New York City, he enrolled 31 January and was commissioned and mustered as Colonel, 7th Massachusetts Infantry on 1 February 1862. He was honored by another brevet, to Lieutenant Colonel, USA on 1 July 1862 for his actions in the Peninsular Campaign and promoted to Major in the Regular Army (8th US Infantry) on 9 August 1862.

He commanded the regiment in Maryland.

He was commissioned Brigadier General, US Volunteers to date from 29 November 1862 and given command of a Brigade in the 6th Army Corps. He was brevetted again, to Colonel, USA to date from 1 July 1863 for gallantry at Gettysburg and to Brigadier General, USA, for the Wilderness. By May 1864 he commanded a Division of the Corps, but he was killed in action at Opeqon, near Winchester, VA on 19 September 1864, and given one final brevet, to Major General, for his actions there.

Basic service from Soldiers, Sailors and Marines 1 and Cullum2 (Russell is Cullum #1268). His gravesite is on Findagrave. His picture from a photograph at the Library of Congress.

12/10/1820; Salem, NY

09/19/1864; Opequon, VA; burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Salem, NY