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John White Geary - Soldier & Politician (1819-1873)
In addition to his career as a soldier he was the first mayor and first postmaster of San Francisco, and Governor of the Kansas Territory. He served in the Mexican American War (1846-47) and later as a brigadier general in the U.S. Civil War, leaving the military with the rank of major general. He entered politics and was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1867.
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James Steedman - Army Officer (1817-1883)
His first military experience came as a soldier under General Sam Houston in the battle for Texas' independence from Mexico. He later worked as a successful construction contractor and newspaperman. He served with distinction as a Federal general during the U.S. Civil War in Kentucky and Tennessee. After the war he left the military, working as a newspaper editor, serving as an Ohio state senator, and just before his death, as Chief of Police in Toledo.
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Irvin McDowell - Army Officer (1818-1885)
He entered the Army in 1838, and served throughout the Mexican-American War. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1861, commanding Federal forces on northern Virginia. After losing the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) in July 1861 he was replaced by General McClellan. He again commanded forces at the second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, but was again relieved of command, ending his field command for the remainder of the war. He stayed in the Army after the war as a major general.
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Nathan Bedford Forest - Army Officer (1821-1877)
A former slave trader, he joined the Confederates at the beginning of the U.S. Civil War. Acclaimed as a genius of cavalry tactics, he led a famed raiding force that plagued Federal troops throughout the war. Forrest's soldiers massacred 300 blacks in the aftermath of a battle at Ft. Pillow. After the war he joined the Ku Klux Klan and became its first Grand Wizard. Ironically, he later left the Klan in concern over its increasingly violent actions.
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John Fremont - Soldier and Politician (1830-1890)
He led five major exploration, mapping and surveying expeditions to the American West between 1836 and 1850. Served briefly as a U.S. Senator in California after its statehood in 1850. He was the Republican party's first candidate for President in 1856, losing the election to James Buchanan. Served in the Federal Army during the U.S. Civil War. He was Governor of the Arizona Territory between 1878 and 1881.
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John Rodgers - Naval Officer (1812-1882)
Several generations of his family achieved fame in American naval history. His naval career began as a member of the North Pacific Exploring and Surveying Expedition between 1852 and 1856. During the U.S. Civil War he commanded a fleet and participated in the attack on Ft. Sumter in 1863. After the war he served as rear admiral commanding the U.S. Asiatic Squadron.
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Joseph Shelby - Army Officer (1830-1897)
Apart from his military career he was also a planter and rope manufacturer. He was a supporter of slavery and entered the Civil War for the Confederacy. He was known as one of its most effective cavalry leaders, rising from captain to brigadier general in the Confederate Army. He served throughout the war mostly west of the Mississippi River. Upon the defeat of the Confederacy in 1865 he refused to surrender and led part of his forces into Mexico, unsuccessfully offering their service as soldiers of fortune.
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Ulysses S. Grant - Soldier & Politician (1822-1885)
Served in the Mexican-American War, then left the military in 1854, spending the seven years in marginally successful business ventures. Re-entered the miltary at the outbreak of the Civil War, rising from colonel to major general through his battle victories. His forces broke Confederate control of the Mississippi River, commanded all U.S. armies in 1864 and presided over Lee's surrender of the Confederate Armies in 1865. Elected as the 18th President of the U.S. in 1868 and re-elected in 1872. Notably honest himself, his administration however was plagued by rampant corruption.
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