Alexander Brydie Dyer
Encyclopedia
Alexander Brydie Dyer was an American
soldier in a variety of 19th century wars, serving most notably as a general and chief of ordnance for the Union Army
during the American Civil War
.
, and graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1837. He served in the Seminole Wars
in 1837–38 and as lieutenant of ordnance in the Mexican-American War in 1846–48, being brevetted
captain for gallant conduct at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales
.
He served throughout the Civil War. From 1861 to 1864, he commanded the Federal armory
in Springfield, Massachusetts
. On September 13, 1864, he was appointed chief of ordnance at Washington, D.C.
, with the rank of brigadier general
, U.S. Army, to rank from September 12, 1864. President Lincoln submitted the nomination to the U.S. Senate on December 12, 1864 and the Senate confirmed the appointment on February 23, 1865. Dyer held the position on May 30, 1864. Dyer is known as being the commander first committed to the purchasing of the Gatling gun,the first design of machine a gun, first designed by John Gatling. On March 8, 1866, President Andrew Johnson
nominated Eaton for appointment to the brevet
grade of major general
, USA, (Regular Army
) to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination on May 4, 1866 and re-confirmed it on July 14, 1866 in order to have line officers precede staff officers in rank.
Dyer died in Washington and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier in a variety of 19th century wars, serving most notably as a general and chief of ordnance for the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Dyer was born at Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, and graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1837. He served in the Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
in 1837–38 and as lieutenant of ordnance in the Mexican-American War in 1846–48, being brevetted
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
captain for gallant conduct at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales
Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales
The Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales was an engagement of the Mexican-American War that took place after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had been signed.-Background:...
.
He served throughout the Civil War. From 1861 to 1864, he commanded the Federal armory
Springfield Armory
The Springfield Armory, located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts - from 1777 until its closing in 1968 - was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms. After its controversial closing during the Vietnam War, the Springfield Armory was declared Western Massachusetts'...
in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. On September 13, 1864, he was appointed chief of ordnance at Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, with the rank of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
, U.S. Army, to rank from September 12, 1864. President Lincoln submitted the nomination to the U.S. Senate on December 12, 1864 and the Senate confirmed the appointment on February 23, 1865. Dyer held the position on May 30, 1864. Dyer is known as being the commander first committed to the purchasing of the Gatling gun,the first design of machine a gun
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
nominated Eaton for appointment to the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
grade of major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
, USA, (Regular Army
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
) to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination on May 4, 1866 and re-confirmed it on July 14, 1866 in order to have line officers precede staff officers in rank.
Dyer died in Washington and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)