Lazelle, H. M. (Henry Martyn), 1832-1917

Born 8 September, 1832 in Enfield Kansas, Henry Lazelle graduated from West Point in 1855. First commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of the Eighth Infantry to the Department of Texas, he campaigned against the Coyatero Apaches in 1856-57, the Navajo in New Mexico in 1856 and the Mescalero Apaches in 1859. Lazelle continued to serve in the army until he retired for disability on 26 November 1894. He was made a Brigadier General on the retired list on 23 April, 1904. Following his retirement, Lazelle divided his time between Winchester, Massachusetts and Canada. During and after his retirement, he published several books. He died in Quebec 21 July 1917.

From the description of Diary, 1857 Apr. 20-June 13. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 46734604

Born 8 September, 1832 in Enfield Kansas, Henry Lazelle graduated from West Point in 1855. First commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of the Eighth Infantry to the Department of Texas, he campaigned against the Coyatero Apaches in 1856-57, the Navajo in New Mexico in 1856 and the Mescalero Apaches in 1859. During the campaign against the Mescalero, Lazelle was shot through the lungs while fighting in the Sacramento Mountains.

Following his recovery, Lazelle served throughout the Civil War. He was captured by Confederates at Fort Bliss, Texas in May, 1861. While held as a prisoner of war, he was promoted to captain. He was exchanged on July 28, 1862. In 1862-63 he was stationed in Washington D.C. as Assistant Commissary of Prisoners of War. He returned to the field in 1863 as colonel of the New York Volunteer Cavalry. After action near Culpepper, Virginia in 1864, he was breveted major in the regular army. Lazelle resigned his volunteer commission in October, 1864 and served the remainder of the war on two general staffs.

After the Civil War, Lazelle remained in the army and served throughout the South, East and Western United States. Among his numerous posts, he participated in expeditions against the Sioux in Yellowstone in 1872 and 1873. Many of his engagements with Native Americans in Montana and Wyoming took place while guarding surveying parties of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1879 he served as Commandant of Cadets at West Point. Advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he returned to the West as commander of Fort Craig, New Mexico.

Later in his career, Lazelle was detailed as Representative of the United States to witness maneuvers of the British Army in India in 1885. He returned to Vancouver Barracks, Washington Territory until June 1887, after which the army assigned him to Washington, DC to oversee publication of the records of the War of the Rebellion.

Lazelle continued to serve in the army until he retired for disability on 26 November 1894. He was made a Brigadier General on the retired list on 23 April, 1904. Following his retirement, Lazelle divided his time between Winchester, Massachusetts and Canada. During and after his retirement, he published several books. He died in Quebec 21 July 1917.

From the guide to the Henry Martyn Lazelle Diary, 1857 Apr. 20-June 13, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)