History of Siskiyou County California United States of America

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Edward Richard Sprigg Canby, soldier, was born in Kentucky in 1817; son of Israel T. Canby. His parents settled in Indiana, where he received his early education. He was graduated from the U. S. military academy in 1839, and was commissioned 2nd lieutenant, 2nd infantry. He served as a quartermaster in the Florida war from 1839 to 1842, and assisted in escorting the emigrating Indians to Arkansas. From 1842 to '45 he was on garrison duty, and in 1845 on recruiting service. In 1846 he was promoted to a 1st lieutenancy, and served during the Mexican war participating in the siege of Vera Cruz, in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and Churubusco, and in the assault upon the Belen gate of the city of Mexico. For his services he was brevetted major and lieutenant-colonel. From, 1849 to 1851 he was attached to the Pacific division of the U. S. army as assistant adjutant-general. He was promoted captain in June, 1851, but resigned his rank in the line on being assigned to the adjutant-general's department as assistant adjutant-general. From March, 1855, to 1858 he was employed on frontier duty in Wisconsin and Minnesota as major of the 10th U. S. infantry, and from 1858 to 1860 was in command of Fort Bridger, Utah. At the opening of the civil war he was in command of Fort Defiance, New Mexico. He was one of the most zealous and conspicuous defenders of the Union. He became colonel of the 19th regiment, U. S. infantry, May, 1861, and acted as brigadier-general of the forces in New Mexico, where he repelled the invasion of General Sibley, compelling his inglorious retreat. On March 31, 1862, he was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers, and transferred to the war department in Washington. During the draft riots in New York city, July, 1863, he had command of the United States troops. In 1864 he was promoted major-general of volunteers, and given command of the division of west Mississippi. He was severely wounded on White river, Ark., Nov. 4, 1864, while making a tour of inspection. He led an army of thirty thousand men against Mobile, which city was taken April 12, 1865, after which he received the surrender of General Taylor's army west of the Mississippi, which ended the hostilities in the southwest. General Canby was brevetted brigadier-general and major-general of the United States army, and continued in command of the military department of the south until 1866, when he was given the full rank of brigadier-general and transferred to Washington. He had charge of the military district with headquarters at Richmond, after the surrender, and accepted the services of General Lee's disbanded cavalrymen, whom he reorganized, to suppress bushwacking. He commanded the department of the Columbia from 1869 to 1873, when he endeavored to persuade the Modocs to agree to the terms proposed by the government. He was ardently desirous that justice should be rendered to the Indians, while recommending measures that would ensure peace and immunity to the whites from the depredations of the tribe. With two other officers he met Captain Jack, the Modoc chief, to confer upon a treaty of peace, but was, with his companions, treacherously killed by the Indians before the escort could come to their relief. Captain Jack and two of the tribe were captured, tried, and executed for the murder. General Canby received the degree of LL. D. from the Wesleyan university in 1870. He died in Siskiyou county, Cal., April 11, 1873.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Siskiyou County California

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