Luther Prentice Bradley

Luther Prentice Bradley (December 8, 1822 – March 13, 1910) was an American soldier who served as a Union general officer during the American Civil War.

Early life Bradley was born in New Haven, Connecticut on December 8, 1822. He held various commands in Connecticut militia, where he acquired basic military education. He served as a lieutenant in the Connecticut militia for a short time, but his mother opposed this because he was her only son. In 1855, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and entered the book business. Also Bradley was a captain in the 1st Illinois Militia and later a lieutenant colonel of the "Chicago Legion".

Civil War When the American Civil War began in 1861, Bradley chose to enlist in the Union cause. At first his mother opposed this, but he wrote her a letter in which he told of his need to serve in the military for his country.

Under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, he fought with his regiment at the capture of Island Number Ten in New Madrid, Missouri, and at the occupation of Nashville, Tennessee. On October 15, 1862, he was promoted to colonel, and then he participated in the Battle of Stones River that winter.

Bradley was then appointed a brigadier general in the Union Army, to rank from July 30, 1864. He participated in the Atlanta campaign, during which he commanded a brigade in Newton's Division of IV Corps in the Army of the Cumberland.