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Wilson (JAMES HARRISON an American)

JAMES HARRISON, an American military officer; born in Shawneetown, Ill., Sept. 2, 1837; was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1860 and assigned to the Department of Oregon in the topographical engineer service. During the Civil War he served with distinction as an engineer, notably at the Richmond raid and the operations near Petersburg. He commanded the 3d Division of Sheridan's cavalry in 1864; participated in the capture of Fort Pulaski and the campaigns of Antietam, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and the Wilderness; commanded in the assault and capture of Selma and Montgomery, Ala., Columbus and Macon, Ga., and took a leading part in the capture of Jefferson Davis. On July 28, 1866, he was brevetted Major-General, U. S.

A., for gallant and meritorious services during the war, and on Dec. 31, 1870, was honorably discharged at his own request. After leaving the army he was engaged in large railroad and engineering operations both in the United States and abroad, and on the outbreak of the Spanish-American War was appointed Major-General of volunteers and was assigned to the command of the 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, in the campaign in Porto Rico. His publications include "China, Travels and Investigations in the Middle Kingdom"; "Life of Andrew Alexander"; "Life of General Grant"; etc.