Military officer and author; born in
Brookville, Ind., April 10,
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1827; son of
Gov. David Wallace; studied law, and began practice in
Crawfordsville, Ind. He served as lieutenant of Indiana volunteers in the war with
Mexico, and afterwards resumed his profession.
He served one term in the State Senate; and when the
Civil War broke out he was appointed adjutant-general of
Indiana.
Soon afterwards he was made colonel of the 11th (Zouave) Indiana Volunteers, with which he performed signal
service in
western Virginia (see
Romney, skirmish at). When he fell back to
Cumberland, after his dash on
Romney, the
Confederates took heart and advanced, 4,000 strong—infantry, cavalry, and artillery—under
Colonel McDonald.
They pushed on to
New Creek and destroyed the bridge of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway there.
They pressed on, destroyed all communication between
Cumberland and
Grafton, and completely isolated
Wallace.
He had neither cannon nor cavalry, and for twenty-one days his men had only twenty-one rounds of cartridges apiece.
He prepared to retreat to
Bedford, Pa., if attacked.
He could not hold
Cumberland, and sent his sick and baggage in that direction.
Then he boldly led his regiment out upon the same road, halted, changed front, and prepared for battle, believing that if the
Confederates should enter
Cumberland they would scatter in search of plunder; and in that case he would rush into the town and defeat them in detail.
Informed of
Wallace's bold stand, the
Confederates halted within 5 miles of
Cumberland, and at night hastened to
Romney.
Wallace retired to
Cumberland and appealed to
McClellan,
Morris, and
Patterson for reinforcements, but none could be spared, for there was danger and weakness at all points.
The governor of
Pennsylvania sent him ammunition and forwarded two regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserves to the borders of that State to assist the Indianians if they should be attacked.
That gallant regiment successfully guarded the railway for about 100 miles, for the
Confederates felt a wholesome fear of these Zouaves, who were often engaged in little skirmishes.
Wallace had impressed thirteen horses into his service and mounted thirteen picked men of his regiment.
While these were on a scout on June 26 they attacked forty-one mounted Confederates, killing eight of them, chasing the remainder 2 miles, and capturing seventeen of their horses.
On their way back they were attacked by seventy-five mounted men. They had a terrible hand-to-hand fight that ceased only when night came on. The Zouaves had only one man killed, and the rest made their way back to camp in the darkness.
For his eminent services in that region for three months
Colonel Wallace was rewarded with the commission of brigadier-general.
For his bravery and vigilance in guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, the great line of communication with the
West.
Wallace was heartily commended by
McClellan and others.
As
brigadier-general of volunteers he led a division in the siege and capture of
Fort Donelson.
For his services on that occasion he was promoted to major-general.
In the
battle of Shiloh he was conspicuous for gallantry.
In command at
Baltimore, Md., in the summer of 1864, he gallantly held in check a large Confederate force, under
General Early, endeavoring to strike
Washington, until the arrival of troops that secured the latter place from capture (see
Monocacy, battle of.) After the war he resumed his profession.
In 1878 he was governor of
New Mexico, and in 1881-85 was United
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117]
States minister to
Turkey.
He is the author of
The fair God;
Ben-Hur;
The boyhood of Christ;
The Prince of India;
The Wooing of Malkatoon, etc.
