Thomas J. Lewis

Thomas Jefferson Lewis (1857–1920) was an American Colonel of the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War and World War I. He commanded the 2nd Cavalry Regiment during the Battle of San Juan Hill and was given commands of other cavalry regiments during his career.

Early life Thomas born on April 6, 1857, at New Orleans as the son of John L. Lewis who was the Mayor of New Orleans at the time of his birth, the grandson of Joshua Lewis who served as a judge at the Superior Court of the Territory of Orleans and the great nephew of Meriwether Lewis. Thomas spent most of his childhood within his father's plantation with himself attending the schools at New Orleans before graduating from Tulane University.

Career in the Frontier After graduating from Tulane University, Lewis enrolled in the United States Military Academy on September 1, 1875, after securing his appointment. He graduated as part of the Class of 1879 on June 13 as a Second Lieutenant of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment which was stationed at the Northwest. He was initially stationed at Fort Custer before being transferred to Fort Walla Walla for a long time before finally being transferred to the Boise Barracks until June 1890 when he was transferred to Fort Lowell, the Jefferson Barracks Military Post and Fort Wingate. While at Fort Wingate, he commanded the Navajo Indian Troop before being transferred to Fort Riley from October 14, 1896, to April 19, 1898.

Progressive Era and World War I He was later sent to Fort Myer and was detailed at the General Recruiting Service. Lewis also returned to Fort Riley and then transferred to Fort Sheridan. Lewis was then made a member of the Cavalry Examining Board from August 1906 to July 1909 while being given command of the First Squadron of the 13th Cavalry Regiment from July 27 to September 6, 1907, and participated in the Moro Rebellion. Before being placed on the reserves, Lewis was the adjutant-general of the Southern Department of San Antonio, Texas, and adjutant of the 1st Cavalry Brigade.