Campaigns · Corinth and Vicksburg
Edward Otho Cresap Ord was born in Cumberland, Maryland, on October 18, 1818. His family moved to Washington, D.C. when Ord was a baby. Ord attended the US Military Academy at West Point, and graduated in 1839. After serving in the Mexican War, he took part in the expedition that resulted in the capture of John Brown at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859. When the Civil War began, he was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from September 14, 1861, and assigned to the defenses of Washington.
After defeating the Confederate forces at Dranesville, Virginia; Ord was promoted to major general, as of May 2, 1862. He participated in the Battles of Iuka and Corinth, and was wounded during the retreat from Corinth. He returned from his recuperation in time to take part in the Siege of Vicksburg, and later led troops at the Siege of Jackson, Mississippi. Ord was wounded again during the assault and capture of Fort Harrison in September of 1864, but was later given command of the Army of the James and the Department of North Carolina.
After joining in the final attacks on General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, Ord was present at the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. He stayed in the Regular Army after the end of the Civil War, and was promoted to brigadier general to rank from July 26, 1866. Ord died on July 22, 1883, in Havana, Cuba.