People of the Civil War · United States
Lew Wallace
1827–1905
Background
Indiana lawyer, United States Army general, and author who commanded troops at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Monocacy.
Soldier and public servant
Born in Brookville, Indiana, Lewis “Lew” Wallace became a lawyer, army officer, and public official. He entered the Civil War as colonel of the 11th Indiana Infantry and rose to major general in 1862.
Wartime career
Wallace served at Fort Donelson and Shiloh. In July 1864 his outnumbered force fought Jubal Early’s army at Monocacy, delaying the Confederate advance toward Washington. In 1865 he served on the Lincoln assassination tribunal and presided over the trial of Andersonville commandant Henry Wirz.
Writer and diplomat
Wallace later governed New Mexico Territory from 1878 to 1881 and served as United States minister to the Ottoman Empire from 1881 to 1885. His novel Ben-Hur became an enduring publishing success and was adapted for stage and screen.