History of Highland Falls, (Orange County) New York United States of America

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Thomas C. Devin, soldier, was born in New York city in 1822. He was educated at the public school and learned the trade of painter. He was lieutenant-colonel of the 1st N.Y.S.M. regiment in 1861 and recruited in June of that year the first cavalry company sent by Governor Morgan to the defence of Washington. He was commissioned its captain and it formed a part of the 1st New York volunteer cavalry regiment. At the end of his three months' service he returned to the front as colonel of the 6th New York volunteer cavalry, and his service in this regiment was with the cavalry corps, army of the Potomac. He commanded a brigade at Five Forks, and captured the Confederate earthworks. At Front Royal his regiment captured two stands of colors, during which effort he was severely wounded. He received for this action the brevet of brigadier-general, Aug. 15, 1864. At the close of the civil war he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 8th U.S. cavalry, July 28, 1866, and on March 2, 1867, was brevetted colonel, U.S.A., for gallantry at Fisher's Hill, and brigadier-general for Sailor's Creek. General Grant is said to have ranked General Devin as second only to General Sheridan as a cavalry officer. He was promoted colonel of the 3d U.S. cavalry, June 25, 1877. He was married in 1855 to Elizabeth May Campbell, a native of Scotland, and a direct descendant of Sir Colin Campbell. She was taken to New York in 1841, at the age of four, and died at Highland Falls, N.Y., April 3, 1897. During the civil war she spent much of her private means for medical supplies for the army. General Devin died in New York city, April 4, 1878.

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

History of Highland Falls, (Orange County) New York

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