Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
CDV of Major General David Sloan Stanley. An Ohio native by birth, Stanley was serving as a captain in a cavalry regiment out in the Western plains when war broke out. The Confederacy was quick to tender a commission to Stanley but he refused it.
He served in the Western Theater taking part in early operations located in Missouri. After a promotion to brig general in September, 1861 he would fight at New Madrid and Island No. 10 where he received high praise from his superiors. Next he participated in the capture of Corinth and the Battle of Iuka. His promotion to major general came in November, 1862. Stanely once again received high praise for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign and especially the Battle of Jonesboro.
In October 1864 he took over command of the Army of the Cumberland in the absence of General Thomas and in turn successfully defended Nashville. At Spring Hill he helped repulse three attacks by Confederate infantry and cavalry. At Franklin, when Union lines broke and defeat seemed eminent, Stanley lead a charge in hand to hand combat pushing the enemy back and recovering the ground that was lost. During the fight he was shot in the neck and at the same moment had his horse shot out from under him. General Jacob Cox gave him a remount so that he could remove himself to the rear and seek medical attention but he refused to leave the field. The wound would sideline Stanley for almost the rest of the war.
After the war he would serve as colonel for the 22nd United States Infantry in the Dakota Territory. In March, 1893 he would receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle of Franklin.
This view is hand signed in ink across the front, bottom by Stanley.
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