Alfred Pleasonton was born in Washington, D.C., on July 7, 1824, and graduated from West Point in 1844. As a dragoon officer, he saw action at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma during the Mexican-American War, and against the Apaches in New Mexico in 1852. By 1861, Pleasonton had been promoted to captain.

Pleasonton did not see combat in the Civil War until the spring of 1862, when, as major of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry (formerly the 2nd U.S. Dragoons) he participated in the Peninsula and Seven Days campaigns. Promoted to brigadier general of volunteers that July, he fought at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He was given command of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac and a promotion to major general in June 1863.

Following his participation in the Gettysburg campaign, Pleasanton spent the fall of 1863 in Virginia, but the following March was transferred west of the Mississippi, reportedly due to General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant’s desire to have General Philip Sheridan command the Cavalry Corps.

Pleasonton led a cavalry division against General Sterling Price during the latter’s 1864 raid through Missouri, and was mustered out of the volunteer service in January 1866.

Pleasonton retired from the Regular Army in 1868 and died in Washington, D.C., on February 17, 1897.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31508