Born in Coles County, Ill. and served in the 41st Illinois Infantry and the 6th U.S. Colored Artillery until he was forced to resign in 1864 due to illness. He rejoined and entered the 4th U.S. Infantry. In 1875 he served as a Lieutenant with the Quartermaster Corps and went to Nebraska to help distribute relief to those who had been attacked by the grasshoppers. He was promoted to Major in 1898, Lieutenant Colonel in 1903 and General in 1904, just before he retired.
From the description of Papers, 1864-1905. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 55983589