Silas Casey

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Silas Casey

Silas Casey (July 12, 1807 – January 22, 1882) was a career United States Army officer who rose to the rank of Major General during the American Civil War.

Born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island he graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1826

He fought in the Second Seminole War under William J. Worth from 1837-1842. During the Mexican-American War he fought at the Battle of Contreras and Battle of Churubusco, and was brevetted Major on August 20, 1847 for gallant conduct. He then fought in the Battle of Molino del Rey and was severely wounded during the Battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847.

After the Mexican-American war he performed frontier duties and escorted topographical parties, including a trip to California around Cape Horn in 1849. He commanded at Camp Picket during the Pig War on San Juan Island from August 10 to October 18, 1859.

He was promoted to brigadier general shortly after arriving on the East Coast in 1861. During the American Civil War he fought in the Peninsula Campaign, where his division suffered heavy losses at Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862, facing George Pickett’s brigade.

He wrote the three-volume System of Infantry Tactics, including Infantry Tactics volumes I and II, published by the army on August 11, 1862, and Infantry Tactics for Colored Troops, published on March 9, 1863. The manuals were used by both sides during the Civil War.

In December of 1862 he was appointed to the board that ultimately convicted Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter of disobedience and cowardice for his actions at the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Casey retired from the army on July 8, 1868, having served over 40 years of active duty. He died in Brooklyn, New York, and is buried at the Casey farm in North Kingstown, RI.

Casey's sons included Silas Casey III, who served as Rear Admiral of the Pacific Squadron, and Thomas Lincoln Casey, who served as Chief of Engineers, and Edward Wanton Casey, army Lieutenant.