NOTABLE OFFICERS
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Colonel George Wright- Graduated from West Point in 1822 and was a veteran of the Seminole and Mexican wars. After the wars in Washington he was given command he was given command of the Department of Oregon after Gen. William Harney was relieved of this command. During the Civil War he commanded the Department of the Pacific where he was responsible to prevent Confederate sympathizers from going east. In 1864 he was ordered to protect northern California and Oregon during Indian troubles that were caused by the absence of troops. He died in 1865 en route to assume command of the newly created Department of the Columbia when the ship Brother Jonathan was lost at sea.
Colonel Edward Steptoe- Veteran of the Mexican war. In 1854 he commanded a detachment with orders to stop in Utah to investigate the death of John Gunnison's government survey party. He declined the governorship of Utah when offered in 1855. Following his retreat, in 1858, he stayed in command at Ft. Walla Walla during the Wright-Garnett campaign and then requested leave. He returned home to Virginia in 1859 and married in 1860. While he was from Virginia he sided with the north during the Civil War. He died in 1865 due to poor health caused by paralysis, liver disorder and mental health problems. His wife attempted to receive a pension based upon his injuries during his time in the Northwest. The claim was rejected because his health problems were contracted prior to March 4, 1861 and during a time of peace.
Captain Guert Gansevoort- Commanding USS Decatur. Appointed a Midshipman in the Navy March 4, 1823. He served in the Mediterranean on board Constitution, North Carolina and Ohio took part in attacks on Tuxpan and Tabasco during the Mexican War; at the start of the Civil War he was in charge of ordnance at the New York Yard helping fit out ships which had been acquired for blockade duty; commanded the ironclad Roanoke in the last year of the Civil War. Retired January 1867 and died July 1868. The USS Gansevoort (DD-608) is named after him and served in the US Navy from 1942-1946.
Major Robert Garnett- Graduated from West Point in 1841. Served as Aide de Camp to Generals Wool and Taylor during the Mexican War. He was served as Commandant of West Point. At the start of the Civil War he was in Europe for a leave of absence. He resigned his commission and was made a general in the Confederate Army. On July 13, 1861 he became the first general, of either side, to die in action.
Captain Thomas C English- Replaced Pickett as the commanding officer of US troops on the San Juan Islands after Pickett resigned his commission. Served on the military court, at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, that found George Custer guilty of numerous charge; October 11, 1867
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