WANTED

TITLE: Major General

WAR & AFFILIATION: Civil War-
Confederate
DEAD OR ALIVE
DATE OF BIRTH - DEATH
September 17, 1820 – May 7, 1863

REPUTATION: Did not succeed as an

army commander. Excelled as a cavalry
general.
MAJOR BATTLES:
• Battle of Pea Ridge, Union forces under
General Samuel R. Curtis defeated Van
Dorn’s large Confederate force.
• Led his troops in December of 1862
against supply depots of Union
general Ulysses S. Grant located at
Holly Springs, Mississippi. His forces
destroyed hundreds of thousands of
dollars worth of supplies, disrupted
Grant’s operations against Vicksburg.
POST WAR: Shot on May 7, 1863, by
George B. Peters after allegedly committing
adultery with Peters’ wife. Died from
gunshot. EARL VAN DORN
FOR CRIMES OF ADULTRY AGAINST HIS WIFE AND THE WIVES OF OTHER MEN
“Let the women alone until after the war is over,” a Southern woman warned him. “I cannot
do that for it is all I am fighting for,” he replied.
PREWAR:
• A great nephew of U.S. President Andrew Jackson
• Graduated number 52 in the class of 1842, four rungs from the bottom of his class. Nearly
dismissed from West Point, for excessive demerits.
• Served in the 7th U.S. Cavalry stationed at Fort Pike, Louisiana
• Defended the fort against an attack in May 1846 by General Mariano Arista’s Mexican Army.
• Took part in action against the Seminole Indians from 1849 to 1850.
• Fought several engagements in the West against Comanche Indians from 1858 to 1859.

Reward: 800 dollars