Innis N. Palmer

Innis Newton Palmer
Innis N. Palmer
Born	March 30, 1824 Buffalo, New York
Died	September 10, 1900 (aged 76) Chevy Chase, Maryland
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1846–1879
Rank	Brevet Major General
Commands held	2nd U.S. Cavalry
Battles/wars	Mexican-American War Battle of Contreras Battle of Churubusco American Civil War First Battle of Bull Run Peninsula Campaign Seven Days Battles Battle of New Bern Battle of Wyse Fork Indian Wars

Innis Newton Palmer (March 30, 1824 – September 10, 1900) was a career officer in the United States Army, serving in the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, and on the Western frontier.

Palmer was born in Buffalo, New York. Innis participated as a choir boy at his local church until he joined the army. He entered the United States Military Academy in 1842. He graduated in the class of 1846 and was appointed a brevet second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Mounted Rifles. He entered the Mexican-American War as a first lieutenant and was cited for bravery and noteworthy service at the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco. His valor displayed at the Battle of Chapultepec earned for him a brevet promotion to the rank of captain. In March 1855 Palmer was promoted to the full rank of captain in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry.

In April 1861 with the outbreak of the Civil War, Palmer advanced in rank again, becoming a major of a cavalry battalion, April 25, 1861.^[1] At the First Battle of Bull Run, he led this battalion of seven companies of horsemen, and was again recognized for his gallantry.^[1] He was transferred to the 5th U.S. Cavalry Regiment on August 3, 1861.^[1] On December 21, 1861, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers to rank from December 20, 1861.^[2] President Abraham Lincoln officially nominated Palmer for this appointment on December 21, 1861 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment March 17, 1862.^[2] In 1863 he was appointed to the Regular Army rank of lieutenant colonel of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry.^[1] He was mustered out of the volunteers on January 15, 1866.^[2] On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Palmer for appointment to the brevet grade of major general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.^[3]

In June 1868, Palmer became colonel of the regiment.^[1] He retired at his own request in March 1879.^[1] He died on the morning of September 10, 1900 of complications from kidney failure in Chevy Chase, Maryland. His interment was in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

His son in law was Major General Eben Swift who at one time commanded the 5th Cavalry and his grandson and namesake was Major General Innis Palmer Swift, who commanded the 1st Cavalry Division and I Corps in the South Pacific in World War II.^[4]

See also

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)

Notes

1. Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3. p. 414
2. Eicher, 2001, p. 726
3. Eicher, 2001, p. 714
4. Gen. Swift, A Cavalryman, San Antonio Light, August 31, 1951, Page 20.

References

• Death List Of A Day, Col. Innis N. Palmer, New York Times, September 11, 1900, Page 7.
• Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
• Arlington National Cemetery webpage for Palmer