Henry Martyn Lazelle

Henry Martyn Lazelle (September 8, 1832 – July 21, 1917) was a career officer in the United States Army. In addition to serving during the American Civil War and Indian Wars, he was Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy from 1879 to 1882.

Early life and education He was born Henry Martyn Lazell in Enfield, Massachusetts, where he went to the public schools.

He was orphaned at the age of four and raised by family members of friends. He entered the United States Military Academy in 1850 and was roommates with James MacNeil Whistler, the future artist. After graduating in 1855, he spelled his last name as Lazelle.

Military career Later that year, Lazelle was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 8th US Infantry, and stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. In February 1859, while on a scouting mission, he was in a skirmish with Mescalero Apaches and shot through the lungs. He was promoted to first lieutenant in April 1861.

Posted in Texas at Fort Bliss at the outbreak of the American Civil War, Lazelle and his comrades were taken prisoner by Texas insurgents in May 1861. He was held until exchanged in July 1862, during which time he was promoted to captain. From then until October 1863, he served in Washington, D.C., as Assistant Commissary General of Prisoners of War.

From October 1863 to October 1864, he served as colonel of the 16th Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry, operating against Mosby's Rangers in the Upper South. He resigned his volunteer commission in October 1864. He served as Inspector General on the staff of General Frederick Steele until February 1865, as Assistant Provost Marshal for the Division of the Mississippi until July 1865, and on recruiting service until March 1866.

Marriage and later life Lazelle married and had a family. One of their sons, Jacob, also went to West Point and served under his father at Fort. Bliss. Jacob died in 1898, on the way to Manila, Philippines in the Spanish–American War.