Sturgis, Samuel, MGEN

Lieutenant Sturgis served in the 2nd Dragoons upon graduation from West Point. He fought in the mexican American War with the 1st Dragoons.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he served as a Major in the 1st U. S. Cavalry regiment. He was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers in March 1862. He became the commander of the 2nd Division of I Corps. Then he went west with IX Corps in 1863, and aftrer losing a battle at Brice's Crossroads his career wground to a stand still with no further combat commands during the war. At the end of the war in March 1865 he was mustered out of the volunteer service in August. He reverted to his regular rank of lieutenant colonel of the 6th U.S. Cavalry.
Colonel Sturgis commanded the 7th Cavalry from 1869 until at least 1877. He had been on detached serv ice while in charge of the St Louis supply depot for two years, with George Armstrong Custer in charge of the 7th in his stead when Custer foolishly disregarded orders and led his men to their deaths at Little Big Horn on 25 June 1876.
Colonel Sturgis' son, Second Lieutenant James g. (Jack) Sturgis was killed during that battle. Colonel Sturgis was outfoxed by the Nez perce in 1877, failing to trap them as planned. He retired in 1888.
Colonel Sturgis died in 1899.