Samuel D. Sturgis

Samuel Davis Sturgis (June 11, 1822 – September 28, 1889) was a senior officer of the United States Army. A veteran of the Mexican War, Civil War, and Indian Wars, he attained the rank of brevet major general.

Early life and career Samuel D. Sturgis was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. His parents were Mary Brandenburg and James Sturgis. He entered the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 1842, at the age of twenty;

Civil War When the Civil War broke out, Sturgis continued to serve with the 1st Dragoons (which was shortly afterwards redesignated the 1st Cavalry Regiment). In August 1861, at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, he succeeded to command of the Federal forces after the death of Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon.

From 1881 until 1886, Sturgis was governor of the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. He retired in 1886 and died in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1889. He is buried with his wife Jerusha (1827–1915) at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. His son Samuel D. Sturgis Jr. became a general in the United States Army, and was a division commander in the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. His grandson Samuel D. Sturgis III also became a general in the United States Army and served as Chief of Engineers from 1953 to 1956.

Legacy The city of Sturgis, South Dakota, is named for Samuel D. Sturgis. A sculpture of him mounted on horseback is located at the eastern entrance of the town on South Dakota Highway 34 and 79.

His military legacy continued with his sons and grandson. His sons, James Sturgis (USMA 1875) and Samuel D. Sturgis Jr. (USMA 1884), would both graduate from the United States Military Academy and serve in the Army. James was killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

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