David Hammond Vinton

David Hammond Vinton (3 May 1803 – 21 February 1873) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Indian Wars, Patriot War, Mexican–American War, and American Civil War, he served from 1822 to 1870 and attained the rank of major general by brevet. Vinton specialized in Quartermaster duties, and his service included command of the New York City Quartermaster Depot during the Civil War.

A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Vinton graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1822 and began his career as an officer in the Field Artillery. He soon transferred to the Quartermaster Corps, and he took part in the Creek War of 1836 and Seminole Wars, including service as chief quartermaster of Florida Territory. He later took part in the Mexican–American War as chief quartermaster of the division commanded by Major General John E. Wool.

At the commencement of the American Civil War, Vinton was serving in San Antonio, Texas when the garrison was occupied by soldiers of the Confederate States Army, who took Vinton prisoner. After his parole, he was assigned to head the quartermaster depot in New York City, where he supplied clothing and equipment to Union Army troops until the close of the war. During his wartime service, Vinton attained the rank of colonel and brevet promotions to colonel, brigadier general, and major general as commendations of the notable service he rendered throughout the war. Vinton died in Stamford, Connecticut and was buried at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.

Early life

Vinton was born in Providence, Rhode Island on 3 May 1803, a son of silversmith and Masonic lecturer David Vinton and Mary (Atwell) Vinton. Vinton's family included several prominent members, among them his brother Francis Vinton, an engineer and clergyman. Francis Vinton's son Arthur Dudley Vinton, an author and attorney, was Vinton's nephew. Another nephew, engineer and army officer Francis Laurens Vinton, was the son of Vinton's brother John Rogers Vinton. Grandnephews Francis L. V. Hoppin and Howard Hoppin were prominent architects and the sons of Vinton's niece Louise. Vinton's sister Elizabeth was the wife of army officer George S. Greene, and Vinton was the uncle of their sons Francis Vinton Greene, a US Army officer, and Samuel Dana Greene, an officer in the United States Navy.

Vinton was raised and educated in Providence, and in 1818 he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1822 ranked 14th of 40 and was appointed a second lieutenant by brevet. Among his notable classmates who joined the Confederate States of America during the Civil War were Walter Gwynn and Isaac R. Trimble.

Later career

At the start of the American Civil War, the Confederate States Army occupied the garrison in San Antonio; Vinton was taken prisoner and held until paroled, after which he departed for the Union states. As part of the Union Army, he served throughout the war as chief of the New York City Quartermaster Depot, where he was responsible for supplying troops with clothing and equipment. In February 1870, he retired fully, after which he resided in Stamford, Connecticut. She died in 1845, and in 1848 he married Eliza Arethusa Arnold, to whom he remained married until his death.

With his first wife, Vinton's children included: Alexander Vinton became a clergyman and served as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

Dates of rank

Vinton's dates of rank were:

Second Lieutenant (Brevet), 1 July 1822 Second Lieutenant, 1 July 1822 First Lieutenant, 7 April 1825 Captain, 7 July 1838 Major, 3 March 1847 Lieutenant Colonel, 3 August 1861 Colonel (Brevet), 13 March 1865 Brigadier General (Brevet), 13 March 1865 Colonel (ex officio), (United States Volunteers), 2 August 1864 Colonel, 29 July 1866 Major General (Brevet), 30 June 1867 (to date from 13 March 1865)