Canby, Edward Richard Sprigg

Item

Title
Canby, Edward Richard Sprigg
Alias
Canby, E.R.S.
Gender
Male
Biography
Born on November 9, 1817 at Piatt's Landing, Edward Richard Sprigg Canby was the oldest son of Dr. Isreal T. Canby and his wife Elizabeth (née Piatt). Canby attended East Bend School in Boone County until his father moved the family to Indiana. He attended Wabash College for a time, and then was admitted to the U.S. Military Academy, graduating in 1839. {"Killing of General..." (Geaslen)
Canby's first military duty was in Florida during the Seminole Wars. He later participated in the Native American removal to Oklahoma, what is now known as the Trail of Tears. (Reis) He would then serve as part of Riley's Brigade in General Scott's Army in the Mexican War, specifically during the siege of Vera Cruz, the Battle of Cerra Gorda, Contreras, and the taking of Mexico City.)
When the Civil War broke out, Canby was at Fort Defiance in what is now Arizona. As Rebels out of Texas began marching West for California, much of New Mexico was lost. Canby commenced the practice of guerilla warfare, pushing the Rebels East. (Reis) In 1863, Canby was dispatched to New York to settle the draft riots. He was also with Admiral David Farragut during the Battle of Mobile, which resulted in the occupation of Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama. He would accept the surrender of Generals R. Taylor and E.K. Smith, along with their armies - the last two Confederate armies remaining in the field. {"Killing of General...")
Canby continued to work for the United States' government during the Reconstruction, and as security for the District of Columbia. His last appointment on the Pacific Coast led to his ill-fated meeting with the Modoc tribe. On April 11, 1873, Canby road out to meet Captain Jack of the Modoc tribe for a peace meeting. After socializing and passing around cigars, Canby attempted to start the discussion, and Captain Jack signaled his warriors to attacked the emissaries. Canby and another were killed, one of his aids was wounded. It then took the surrounding U.S. Army of 800 three months to defeat the 50 Modoc warriors. Canby was buried in Indianapolis Crown Hill Cemetery. (Reis)
Member
Canby family
Birth date
9 Nov 1817
Place of birth
Piatt's Landing (Ky.)
Father
Canby, Israel
Mother
Piatt, Elizabeth
Life event(s)
Marriage: 1 Aug 1839; Montgomery County (Ind.)
Montgomery County (Ind.)
Spouse(s)
Hawkins, Louisa
Child(ren)
Canby, Mary Paul
Death date
11 Apr 1873
Place of death
Lava Beds National Monument (Calif.)
Death and burial information
Crown Hill Cemetery (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Occupation(s)
Soldier
Military service
2nd Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army
10th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army
7th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army
2nd Dragoons, U.S. Army
19th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army
Allegiance
United States of America
Held rank
2nd Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel
Colonel
Major General
Brigadier General
Service began
1835
Service ended
11 Apr 1873
Resided in
Indiana
Monterey (Calif.)
New York (N.Y.)
Vermont
Oregon
Bibliographic citation(s)
FindAGrave.com, memorial #5888328
Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1600-1889, page 517
"Killing of General from Boone County is Told in Magazine Story,” Boone County Recorder, March 17, 1960 [PDF]
Reis, Jim. "War Hero, Boone Countian Gen. Edward Canby was Renown Indian Fighter, Strategist," Kentucky Post, January 14, 1985, 8K.
Geaslen, Chester F. "A Belated Honor for Kentucky's Boone County," The Boone County Recorder.
Monterey, California Census, 1850-60
American Civil War General Officers
Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949
U.S., Returns from Military Posts, 1806-1916
U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959
U.S., IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918
Oregon, Biographical and Other Index Card File, 1700s-1900s
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., Crown Hill National Cemetery, 1866-1999
Wesleyan University Alumni Record, 1873, Wesleyan University: Middletown (Conn.), page 278

Linked resources

Items with "Child(ren): Canby, Edward Richard Sprigg"
Title Class
Canby, Israel Person