Home › W › Wallace (LEWIS better known as LEW)

Wallace (LEWIS better known as LEW)

LEWIS (better known as LEW), an American military officer and author; born in Brookville, Ind., April 10, 1827; was lieutenant in the Mexican War in 1846-1847; took a distinguished part in the Civil War in which he served in the campaigns in West Virginia and Kentucky; commanded a division at the capture of Fort Donelson; led the attack in the second day's fight in the battle of Shiloh; took part in the subsequent advance on Cor- GENERAL LEW WALLACE inth; saved Cincinnati, O., from capture by Gen. E. Kirby Smith; and was president of the court appointed to investigate the conduct of General Buell. In 1864 he commanded the Middle Department and the 8th Army Corps, and in the battle of Monocacy (July 9, 1864), prevented the capture of Washington and Baltimore by General Early. He was a member of the commission which tried the assassins of President Lincoln, and in the same year presided over the court which tried Captain Wirz, the commandant of the Andersonville prison. In 1866 he was sent to Mexico on a secret diplomatic mission to President Juarez; was appointed governor of New Mexico in 1878; and was United States Minister to Turkey in 1881-1885. When not en- WALLACE gaged in public service he practiced law and devoted himself to literature. His publications include: "The Fair God"; "Ben Hur, a Tale of the Christ"; "The Prince of India." He died at Crawfordsville, Feb. 15, 1905.