Edwin Vose Sumner, Jr.

Who was Edwin Vose Sumner, Jr.?

Edwin Vose Sumner, Jr. was an American Union brevet brigadier general during the period of the American Civil War.

He was the son of the more famous Civil War general Edwin Vose Sumner who was one of the oldest generals to serve during the war.

The younger Sumner began the war as a lieutenant in the 1st US Cavalry on August 5, 1861. He was promoted to major and aide de camp of Volunteers on May 19, 1863.

On September 8, 1864, he was appointed colonel of the 1st New York Mounted Rifles where he served until the end of the war. He received his appointment as brevet brigadier general dated to March 13, 1865. He was mustered out of Volunteers and reverted to his Regular Army rank of captain on September 29, 1865.

After the Civil War, Sumner served in the Indian Wars. He was successively assigned to the 5th Cavalry, the 8th Cavalry, and the 7th Cavalry regiments. He was promoted to the rank of colonel and placed in command of the 7th Cavalry on November 10, 1894.

In 1890 he was elected a member of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati by right of his descent from Major Job Sumner.

At the beginning of the Spanish-American War, he was appointed brigadier general of Volunteers on May 27, 1898 and was discharged from the Volunteers on February 24, 1899.