George Washington Deitzler was born on November 30, 1826, in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania; he moved his family to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1855, where he became active in the free-state cause, serving on committees, attending meetings and writing for newspapers.

When the Civil War began, Deitzler was appointed colonel of the 1st Kansas Infantry, and was severely wounded while leading the regiment at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861. Partially recovered from his wounds, he last saw active duty in February 1863 during the Vicksburg campaign, and was promoted to brigadier general on April 4, 1863.
Deitzler resigned his commission on August 27, 1863, but the following year was called to command the Kansas Militia as a major general during Confederate General Sterling Price’s Missouri raid.

After the war, Deitzler was active in promoting the town of Emporia, Kansas; in 1872 he moved his family to San Francisco, California, where they resided until 1884. While visiting Tucson, Arizona, in 1884, he was thrown from the buggy he was driving and killed instantly. He was returned to Lawrence, Kansas, and buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11489