Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

---

Pleasonton, Alfred 1824-1897

Military officer; born in Washington, D. C., June 7, 1824; graduated at West Point in 1844, entering the dragoons. He served in the war against Mexico, and afterwards in California, New Mexico, and Texas. For several years he was assistant adjutantgeneral and adjutant-general to General Harney, and in the fall of 1861 was acting colonel of the 2d Cavalry. He was made brigadier-general of volunteers in July, 1862, and took command of Stoneman's cavalry brigade, leading the van when McClellan crossed the Potomac, in October. Pleasonton was in the battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, and was afterwards efficient in driving Price out of Missouri, in 1864. In March, 1865, he was brevetted major-general United States army for “meritorious services during the rebellion.” He resigned his commission in 1868, and was placed on the retired list as colonel in 1888. He died in Washington, D. C., Feb. 17, 1897. [229]