James W. Forsyth

James William Forsyth (August 8, 1835 – October 24, 1906) was a career officer in the United States Army, serving as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was the commander of the 7th U.S. Cavalry at the Wounded Knee Massacre of Lakota Indians on December 29, 1890.

Biography

Forsyth was born in Maumee, Ohio, where he attended the local schools. He attended West Point from 1851-56 and received a commission as second lieutenant in Co.D, 9th U.S. Infantry, he was instrumental in the completion of the frontier fort at San Juan Island and was to serve as the company's acting when Capt. George E. Pickett was away on leave. After serving in Washington Territory at Fort Bellingham and Camp Pickett, Suan Juan Island, Forsyth was promoted to first lieutenant in 1861 and returned to the East to command Union forces in the Civil War.

Civil War

During the Civil War, Forsyth served on the staff of Philip H. Sheridan along with Wesley Merritt, George Crook, and George A. Custer. Later, all of these men would become famous Indian fighters.

His staff skills and valor in battle spurred his rise through brevet ranks culminating in promotion to brigadier general on May 19, 1865. Forsyth earned a colonel’s brevet for his actions at FIVE FORKS on April 1, 1865. In command of the Confederate forces was his past superior officer from San Juan Island, and close friend, George E. Pickett.

At the close of the war he received a full promotion to brigadier general of volunteers.

From Left; Sheridan, Forsyth, Merritt, Crook and Custer

Indian Wars

During the post Civil War campaigns against the Plains Indians, Forsyth continued on Sheridan's staff after the war and served as acting inspector general in the Military Division of the Gulf. Forsyth moved with Sheridan when the latter became commander of the Department of the Missouri in 1866. Forsyth served first as the department's secretary and then as an inspector, with an appointment in the cavalry. He took part in military campaigns against the Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Kiowa Indians in 1868-69. Forsyth went to Europe in 1870 as an official observer of the Franco-Prussian War.

In 1878 Forsyth commanded the 1st Cavalry in the Bannock campaign, he had considerable success in this role. In 1885 Forsyth was in command of Fort Maginnis, Montana, where the army was monitoring the Crow, Cree, and the Gros Ventres (Atsina) Indians. He was promoted to colonel in 1886 and placed in command of the 7th Cavalry stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas (Custer's regiment). He was in command of the 7th Cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890 with orders from Gen. Nelson A. Miles’ to "Disarm the Indians. Take every precaution to prevent their escape. If they choose to fight, destroy them."

Forsyth's attempt to disarm the Indians turned into a fight, later known as the Wounded Knee massacre. On the following day, Forsyth again engaged the Indians at Drexel Mission. Forsyth's actions were investigated at General Miles's instigation, and although he was cleared of any wrongdoing, Forsyth resented Miles's accusations.

On November 9, 1894 Brig. Gen. Alexander McDowell McCook was appointed Major General of the United States Army to hold the rank vacated by Gen.Oliver O. Howard and Col. Forsyth was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General to succeed McCook and was appointed commander of the Department of California.

In 1897 Brigadier General Forsyth was promoted to Major General to succeed Gen. Frank Wheaton.

In Memoriam

Forsyth married the daughter of Ohio Governor William Dennison, the couple had four children.

He died on October 24, 1906 in Columbus, Ohio, and is buried there in Green Lawn Cemetery.

The Town of Forsyth, Montana (Rosebud County) is named in his honor.

References

• Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.

• James W. Forsyth Papers. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.