George Washington Deitzler.

George Washington Deitzler.

Birth: Nov. 30, 1826
Death: Apr. 11, 1884

Civil War Union Major General. From 1857 to 1859, he was a member of the Kansas State House of Representatives and served as Kansas State Indian Agent in 1860. At the beginning of the Civil War, he raised the 1st Kansas Infantry US Volunteers and was appointed Colonel. He was acting Brigadier General at the battle of Wilson's Creek and was severley wounded while gallantily leading his regiment, First Kansas Infantry, in August 1861, and was placed in command of the Kansas Third Brigade in early 1862. That same year, President Abraham Lincoln promoted him Brigadier General in command of the Army of Tennessee.

He led his corps in engagements at the battles of Corinth and Vicksburg Mississippi, until he left the field in August 1863, due illness related to his earlier wounds. He returned to Kansas and was commissioned Major General in comand of the entire Kansas State Militia. On August 23, 1864, he was successful in defeating the Confederates at the Battle of Westport, the last full scale battle of the Civil War in the West. After the war, he engaged in business persuits in the West until his death from a horse and carriage accident at Tucson, Arizona.

Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas.