Edwin F. Townsend
Edwin Franklin Townsend (14 July 1833 – 15 August 1909) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Civil War and American Indian Wars, he served from 1854 to 1895 and attained the rank of brigadier general. Townsend commanded four Infantry regiments and numerous military posts over the course of his career, and was commandant of the United States Infantry and Cavalry School (now the United States Army Command and General Staff College) from 1890 to 1894.
Townsend was a native of New York City, and he was raised and educated in Milwaukee. In 1850, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1854. Assigned to the 3rd Artillery Regiment, he served in California until resigning in 1856. Townsend resided in Milwaukee from 1856 to 1861, where he studied law, attained admission to the bar, and practiced as an attorney. During his years in Milwaukee, Townsend served in the Wisconsin Militia, including assignments as adjutant of 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade and commander of Company B, 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade.
In 1861, Townsend joined the Union Army for the American Civil War. Commissioned as a captain in the 16th Infantry Regiment, he commanded the regiment's Company B as well as ad hoc battalions In Tennessee and Alabama throughout the war and received brevet promotions to major and lieutenant colonel in recognition of his commendable wartime service. He remained with the regular army after the war and took part in Reconstruction era duty at locations in Tennessee and Kentucky.
As Townsend advanced through the ranks, he commanded regiments and forts in the western United States during the American Indian Wars, including Nebraska, Wyoming, Dakota Territory, and Montana. From 1890 to 1894 he was commandant of the Infantry and Cavalry School (now the United States Army Command and General Staff College). In 1894 and 1895, he commanded the 12th Infantry Regiment and Fort Niobrara, Nebraska. In October 1895, Townsend requested retirement for disability, which was approved. In April 1904, Congress enacted legislation promoting Civil War veterans who had not attained general officer's rank by one grade if they had been wounded in the war or had served over 40 years. Under these criteria, Townsend was advanced to brigadier general on the army's retired list.
In retirement, Townsend resided in Washington, D.C. He died in Washington on 15 August 1909. Townsend was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.