Earl Van Dorn
Earl Van Dorn was born
near Port Gibson, Mississippi, September 7, 1820. He graduated
at the U. S. Military Academy in 1842 and was assigned to the 7th U.
S. Infantry, which was then stationed in the Indian Territory.
He served with his regiment during the war with Mexico, being promoted
to first lieutenant and brevetted captain and major for gallant and
meritorious conduct in battle. He was commissioned captain of
the 2d U. S. Cavalry in March 1855, with Which regiment he continued
to serve until January 31, 1861, when he resigned.
Entering the Confederate
service a few weeks later as a colonel of cavalry, he was successively
promoted to brigadier general and major general within six
months. In January, 1862, he was placed in command of the
Trans-Mississippi Department of the confederate Army.
After his defeat at the
battle of Pea Ridge, he returned east of the Mississippi where he
continued in the active service until his death (May, 1863) by
assassination.
Source: A
History of Oklahoma by Joseph B. Throburn and Isaac M.
Holcomb, Doub and Company San Francisco 1908.
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