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Wright (HORATIO GOUVER- NEUR)
HORATIO GOUVER- NEUR, an American military officer; WRIGHT born in Clinton, Conn., March 6, 1820; was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1841, and commissioned 2d lieutenant of engineers; for two years was instructor at the Military Academy; superintending engineer of the building of Fort Jackson, at Tortugas, Fla. (1846-1856); lighthouse engineer in Florida (1852-1853); assistant to the chief of engineers in Washington (1856-1861); promoted major, April 6, 1861. He served through the entire Civil War, with an exceptionally brilliant record for leadership; became Brigadier-General of volunteers, Sept. 14, 1861, and took command of the Department of Ohio in August, 1862; commanded a division at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5 and 6, 1864, and a corps at Spottsylvania Court House, May 9-12, and Cold Harbor, June 3; served as Major-General at the battle of Opequan Creek, Sept. 19, 1864, and contributed to the decisive victory at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864; received the brevet of Major-General in the United States army for his services at the capture of Petersburg, March 13, 1865; mustered out of the volunteer service, Sept. 1, 1866; returned to regular army duty as lieutenant-colonel of engineers, becoming Brigadier-General and chief of engineers, June 30, 1879, which rank he held at his retirement, March 6, 1884. He was co-author of "Report on the Fabrication of Iron for Defenses," and died in Washington, D. C., July 2, 1899.