Elias Wright

Who was Elias Wright?

Elias Wright was an American Union brevet brigadier general during the period of the American Civil War. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on August 17, 1861 and was promoted to first lieutenant five months later. He participated in the Peninsular Campaign and was captured at the Battle of Gaines Mill. He later fought at Second Bull Run and South Mountain. He was promoted to captain on December 13, 1863, led a company at the Battle of Chancellorsville, but he soon month later was appointed major of a newly formed Union Colored regiment. He was soon promoted to lieutenant colonel and colonel. He received his appointment as brevet brigadier general dated to January 15, 1865.

Originally a native of Durham, New York, he moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1852, the city where he died in 1901.