E. Franklin Townsend

Edwin Franklin Townsend (14 July 1833 – 15 August 1909) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Civil War and American Indian Wars, he served from 1854 to 1895 and attained the rank of brigadier general. Townsend commanded four Infantry regiments and numerous military posts over the course of his career, and was commandant of the United States Infantry and Cavalry School (now the United States Army Command and General Staff College) from 1890 to 1894.

Townsend was a native of New York City, and he was raised and educated in Milwaukee. In 1850, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1854. Assigned to the 3rd Artillery Regiment, he served in California until resigning in 1856. Townsend resided in Milwaukee from 1856 to 1861, where he studied law, attained admission to the bar, and practiced as an attorney. During his years in Milwaukee, Townsend served in the Wisconsin Militia, including assignments as adjutant of 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade and commander of Company B, 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade.

In 1861, Townsend joined the Union Army for the American Civil War. Commissioned as a captain in the 16th Infantry Regiment, he commanded the regiment's Company B as well as ad hoc battalions In Tennessee and Alabama throughout the war and received brevet promotions to major and lieutenant colonel in recognition of his commendable wartime service. He remained with the regular army after the war and took part in Reconstruction era duty at locations in Tennessee and Kentucky.

As Townsend advanced through the ranks, he commanded regiments and forts in the western United States during the American Indian Wars, including Nebraska, Wyoming, Dakota Territory, and Montana. From 1890 to 1894 he was commandant of the Infantry and Cavalry School (now the United States Army Command and General Staff College). In 1894 and 1895, he commanded the 12th Infantry Regiment and Fort Niobrara, Nebraska. In October 1895, Townsend requested retirement for disability, which was approved. In April 1904, Congress enacted legislation promoting Civil War veterans who had not attained general officer's rank by one grade if they had been wounded in the war or had served over 40 years. Under these criteria, Townsend was advanced to brigadier general on the army's retired list.

In retirement, Townsend resided in Washington, D.C. He died in Washington on 15 August 1909. Townsend was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life Edwin Franklin Townsend (Sometimes E. F. Townsend or E. Franklin Townsend) was born in Manhattan on 14 July 1833, a son of Edwin Townsend (1803–1870) and Ann Eliza (Graff) Townsend (1809–1892). He was raised and educated in Milwaukee, and in 1850 he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point). Townsend graduated in 1854 ranked 28th of 46.

At graduation in July 1854, Townsend received an appointment as second lieutenant by brevet and was posted to San Diego, California. In 1858, he was admitted to the bar, and he practiced in Milwaukee until 1861. He served as adjutant of 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade before being appointed to command Company B, 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade.

Family In September 1858, Townsend married Mary Jane Wadhams. They were married until her death in 1893 and were the parents of daughters Mary Abernethy Townsend and Lucy Wadhams Townsend.

Early career In May 1861, Townsend joined the Union Army for the American Civil War and was commissioned as a first lieutenant and promoted to captain in the 16th Infantry Regiment. Officers of the regular army who had not become general officers and had either served for more than 40 years or were wounded during the war were eligible to be advanced one grade. Members of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States served as honorary pallbearers, as did four currently serving army officers, including Julius Penn and Peter Charles Harris. First Lieutenant, 14 May 1861 Captain, 14 May 1861 Major (Brevet), 7 April 1862 Lieutenant Colonel (Brevet), 13 March 1865 Major, 22 June 1868 Lieutenant Colonel, 20 March 1879 Colonel, 13 October 1886 Colonel (Retired), 1 October 1895 Brigadier General (Retired), 23 April 1904