Biography of Earl Van Dorn



Excerpted from "Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1911-1912", Edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary. 

Vol XII., State Printing Office, Topeka, Kansas 1912.



submitted by Teresa Lindquist (merope@radix.net); (copyright) 2001 by Teresa Lindquist

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EARL VAN DORN was born at Port Gibson, Miss., May 8, 1820. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1842, 

and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Seventh infantry. He had reached the grade of first lieutenant by the time 

of the Mexican War, in the principal campaigns of which he rendered such conspicuous service as to win the brevet ranks of 

captain and major. He was commissioned captain of the Second cavalry at its organization, March 3, 1855. He was 

commissioned major of the same regiment June 28, 1860. He resigned his position January 31, 1861, after his native state 

seceded from the Union. He then served with the Mississippi state troops for a time, and on March 36 he was commissioned 

colonel of cavalry in the Confederate army. He was rapidly promoted, becoming a brigadier general June 5, 1861, and a major 

general on the 19th of September following. He was in command of the Trans-Mississippi Department for a brief period in the 

early part of 1862, but was relieved after the battle of Pea Ridge. Thereafter his service was east of the Mississippi. He 

was assassinated at Spring Hill, Tenn., May 8, 1863.



(Included with the article: "Indian Fight in Ford County in 1859," page 314)